The participants were  pupils from 7th to 12th grades from Armenian high schools who took part and won in “LIT Strong Words”competition (formerly known as the National Poetry and Recitation Contest).

LIT is an English abbreviation (LIT) which opens as a Leadership-Innovation Technology (leadership, innovation and technology). The summer school’s goal is to provide participants with knowledge and skills on creative thinking, debate culture, leadership, public speaking, information technology, innovation and future professions. The classes and master classes were conducted by industry professionals.

“All of us have come back home with new ideas, knowledge, with experience and interesting, unforgettable memories. It was a school where I discovered my abilities and the hidden possibilities that I could put into practice in the near future. It was a school where we became one big family, I thank everyone”, said participant Hrayr Aghavelyan from Goris, after school had ended.

The summer school’s goal is to develop participants in English language communication skills and is fully implemented in English. “83 out of 83 youths were fluent in English. This gives a great potential for our country, which should develop day by day and spread the English language in our country, increase international exchange programs, promote the development of opportunities for young people to get non-formal education”, said World Vision Armenia’s Shirak Marz Coordinator Narek Toutkhalyan

Within the framework of the school, the participants hosted representatives of internationally renowned international mission organizations in Armenia, US Peace Corps, American University, leading IT companies, who passed on their experience and knowledge to the children, discussing interesting collaborative suggestions.

“I am happy that I was able to teach something to the brightest kids in Armenia. They were all very confident and talented in different fields, for example in architecture, when drawing fire evacuation plans”, said architect Khasha Parry from the Peace Corps at the end of the program.

Last year, Anna Hakobyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of My Step Foundation, visited the camp last year, and returned with a great impression. This year, the foundation was among the school’s supporters.

“The LIT Strong Words” Summer School has been supported by the US Peace Corps, “Cronimet” Charitable Foundation, Hrayr and Anna Hovnanyan Charitable Foundation, My Step Foundation, Hanna Huntley Foundation, and Focus on Children Now Charity organization.