Greetings and welcome to the official website of Ionian Village, the Summer Camping Ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Whether you have already participated in our program, hope to join us in the future, or are just here to browse, I encourage you to explore our site and learn more about this amazing ministry of our Church.
The goal of Ionian Village is simple: to provide our Campers and Staff with a life-transforming summer experience by bringing them closer to our Orthodox faith and exploring our rich Hellenic culture and history. We achieve this goal through a program rich in travel, in worship, and in content. We travel to sites of both religious and historical significance, not as tourists but as pilgrims, as people on a journey to learn more about our faith, our culture, and ultimately, ourselves.
Ionian Village is not just another summer camp; it is like nothing you have ever experienced. Our 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. 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.
Please take the time to read about our excursions and the Saints that we interact with throughout a summer at Ionian Village. Browse the blog and pictures from this past year to get a glimpse of the excitement, joy and love that encompass life at Ionian Village. As you will see, we have programs for both high schoolers and young adults, with the intention of continuing to expand. Make sure to continue to visit us for exciting news regarding our growing ministry. If you have any questions regarding anything you find here, please be sure to contact us!
Ionian Village is an experience.
Teens and young adults that participate in Ionian Village travel across Greece, venerate the relics of saints, walk in the footsteps of the Apostles, and visit significant sites of Greek history and culture. Ionian Village is a unique summer camping program located in Greece and operated by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Ionian Village offers its participants a unique experience that is unavailable elsewhere. At the end of the program, staff and campers return to their homes with strengthened faith and with a greater appreciation for the Church and for Greek culture and heritage.
Ionian Village builds friendships.
Teens and young adults have the time of their lives while at Ionian Village. Staff and campers from across the United States form bonds and friendships that last a lifetime. Since 1970, more than 17,000 teens and young adults have experienced a 45 year old tradition committed to building, "Faith and friendships that last a lifetime."
Ionian Village is beautiful.
Ionian Village operates from a beautiful seafront campsite on western Peloponnese in Greece on the coast of the Ionian Sea. The camp facility accommodates 200 campers and 50 staff members in white-washed cabins and bungalows. The campground was developed and built with the intention of fostering an Orthodox Christian community and providing a Greek village experience for all participants. The facilities are centered around a traditional white-washed Chapel and include a private beach, an Olympic-size swimming pool, shady pine forests, an amphitheater, a large hall for gatherings and activities, an open-air cafeteria, a soccer field, two volleyball courts, a tennis court, and a basketball court.
