International“Baron Pete” answers last call at Camp Haiastan
Published: Wednesday May 20, 2009
Pete Jelalian addresses youngsters at Camp Hayastan in Franklin, Mass., where he has spent the past 33 years in a variety of roles.
Franklin, Mass. - After 33 years and many diverse roles, Pete Jelalian is calling it quits at Camp Haiastan, a place he affectionately calls “his second home.”
It has been a long, rewarding and extremely devoted career, beginning as a camper, then a counselor, lifeguard, director, and member of the board of directors – a tenure that has spanned five decades from 1962 to 2008 in no short order.
His final order of business will take place in June when he orients a new director to take his place.
Unquenchable spirit
To the youngsters, he's been known as “Baron Pete.” To the adults, an astute teacher and coach who has managed to “tough it out” when the going ever got to be a challenge.
“Within that time, the way we've done things has changed considerably due to liability and legal ramifications,” he brought out. “Not once do I ever recall having compromised a young camper's welfare.”
Thousands have passed through the ranks, from the very shy to the more aggressive, ultimately benefiting by the experience of becoming good, healthy Armenians of strong mind and unquenchable spirit.
Jelalian was among the timid when he was first introduced to the camp. He remembers the moment as if it were yesterday.
“I was 9 and very confused about attending,” he recalled. “My father drove me from New York to Franklin and I was introduced to Baron Harry (Kushigian). Once he showed me around, I was hooked. I didn't want to leave.”
By the time he reached 15, Jelalian's goals were pretty much decided. He wanted to become a physical education instructor and a camp director some day. His first stint as a staffer came in 1973 when he was hired as a lifeguard after becoming certified.
Former campers as parents
Of the 33 years, 15 of them were as director, including the last eight, longer than any predecessor. An Armenian “Mr. Chips” of sorts, Jelalian reached the point where the parents he was now greeting were campers from his first tenure as counselor/director.
What's kept him connected for so long? Tradition! Devotion! Heritage!
“I believe in the message that our founders fostered in that Armenian children can come to Franklin where they can play, learn, laugh and bunk together,” he says. “Most importantly, making friends, solidifying friendships and learning to become proud Armenians. I only hope that all my responsibilities met with satisfaction from the care and supervision I provided.”
Few were closer to Jelalian over that span than executive director Roy Callan. Their association dates back to 1974 when they were basketball rivals, Callan from Detroit and Jelelian from New York.
For five of those summers, they served as “barons” together.
An icon
“Working with Peter as opposed to battling him on a basketball court has revealed the most wonderfully, caring, patient and uplifting person to me,” said Callan. “I've marveled at his ability to lovingly attract and lead Armenian children and young adults to this camp every season.”
Callan described his contemporary as an “icon” of what any “baron” at Camp Haiastan must be.
“These attributes are not long in number, neither are they complicated,” added Callan. “Yet, they have served to validate the reason why hundreds of children have returned season after season and why many have gone on to become his staff members. It's also the reason why parents are bringing their children today. Peter finds a way to put the needs of others – campers, staffers and parents alike – ahead of his own.”
The 56-year-old Jelalian hails from Nanuet, N.Y., where he resides with Christine, his wife of 16 years, who has taught school 23 years. They have a 14-year-old daughter Theresa who is quite the basketball player like her dad, who played four years for City College of New York.
A passion for basketball
Jelalian is into his 33rd year as a special-education instructor in New York, having made a Who's Who list of America's best teachers. He holds a physical education degree from City College and two masters degrees – one from Herbert H. Lehman College in recreational supervision and another in special education from Fordham University.
Away from the classroom, you'll often find Jelalian on a basketball court, either playing or coaching Armenian kids. He's also served six years on the St. Vartanantz Church Board of Trustees.
As a player himself, he was laden with talent. Some may list him among the very best in AYF circles to ever play the game. Despite the advancing years, he can still overhaul the jet set at camp.
“The AYF has always been an important part of my life,” he points out. “Not only did it connect me with my history but allowed me to become a proud Armenian. It taught me organizational skills and how to manage people, which were very important in my profession.”
Non-Armenian staffers
The hiring of a non-Armenian staff recently was the result of changing times and certainly had the community buzzing with curiosity. Of the 44 staff members last summer, 11 of them were “odars.” Jelalian continued to run his usual “tight ship” and kept the camp family unified and functioning.
“I believe Camp Haiastan is the jewel of the Armenian Youth Federation,” he maintains. “In a perfect world, camp would be staffed by all AYF members and Armenians. This was not the case over the past couple years. The camp needed to fill key positions. Every Armenian who applied was hired last summer and we tried to accommodate them any way we could.”
