NEW YORK – The summer of 2020 marks the 50th Anniversary of the extraordinary travel abroad Summer Program of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Ionian Village.

IV 2020, has opened registration for the summer 2020 and all are encouraged to visit www.ionianvillage.org for more information and to register.

The goal of Ionian Village is simple: to bring the young people of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America into a close understanding and love for both the Orthodox faith and Hellenic heritage. A strong Spiritual Life is at the center of everything at Ionian Village. By starting and ending every day with services at our St. Iakovos Chapel, as well as our innovative and inclusive Orthodox Life program, Ionian Village focuses on bringing its campers closer to Jesus Christ. Ionian Village allows campers to experience life in a fully Orthodox environment as they travel to historic churches and religious sites across Greece. Pilgrimages include opportunities to venerate the uncorrupt holy bodies of St. Dionysius in Zakynthos and St. Gerasimos in Kefalonia. Visits to Kalavryta, Mega Spileon, St. Andrew’s Church in Patras, St. Nektarios in Aegina, and a morning at the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum help deepen their experiences of Hellenism and Orthodoxy.

When not traveling, campers take part in activities on the campgrounds. Daily life at Ionian Village includes many traditional summer camp activities that emphasize fun, fellowship, and learning. Time is also spent at either the world class pool or our private beach every day while at camp.

The Archdiocese and the Ionian Village Administration are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the health and safety of attendees. We want to ensure everyone planning to attend that their health, safety, and security is our top priority. We will be providing regular updates as information changes.

IV2020 registration is open and will proceed as usual. Parents should sign up with the link posted on our website www.ionianvillage.org. In light of the coronavirus, the unpredictability of the situation, and uncertainty over what it will be like in June, we are suspending the ‘non-refund policy’ of the $500 deposit upon registration. In the coming weeks, our office will announce a date on which the non-refund policy will go back into effect, but for now, parents can register and hold a spot with the reassurance of a full refund if they decide to drop out in the future before the policy is reinstated.

Ionian Village is not just another summer camp; it is like nothing children have ever experienced. The campers and staff come not only to understand their Orthodox Faith and Hellenic Culture in a more realistic and tangible way, but also to meet and interact with other young people just like them from all over the country. According to IV, “through this interaction, their eyes are opened as to what the reality of being an Orthodox Christian in this world truly should be: to be people who live Christ-centered lives, to be people of love.”

For more information about this exciting ministry please visit www.ionianvillage.org