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Ionian Village is a ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America that offers teens from across the country the opportunity to travel to Greece for a pilgrimage centered on the life of the Church and the richness of Hellenic tradition. Through shared fellowship, visits to holy sites, and time spent at its scenic seaside campus in the Peloponnese, participants experience the beauty of Orthodoxy while forming meaningful connections that last far beyond the trip.
We invite you to explore the reflections of camper Spiro Koliopoulos alongside those of his cabin staff member, Vasili Nicklow, as they share how Ionian Village shaped their spiritual journeys. Though they served in different roles within the same cabin, both describe deeply transformative experiences.
“My name is Spiro Koliopoulos. I went to Ionian Village this past summer, and it was one of the most memorable summers I have experienced. I had been to Greece before Ionian Village, but I had not gone to church camp before. It was a brand-new experience for me, which made me a little anxious. I did not know anybody in my cabin coming into camp, but by the end, we were all part of the brotherhood of Kerkyra. While at camp, on excursions, and in our cabin, we grew together in faith, culture, and friendship.
The most important aspect of camp was the emphasis on personal connection. During our first night at camp, we slowly got acquainted with each other, which was made easier with no phones. Although awkward at first, without distractions we were able to focus on each other, our transformations, and what we had in common. We began to grow close, especially through our Devos at the end of each night. Our counselors, Austin, Basil, and Vasili, were essential in fostering our brotherhood. The focus placed on connection is what made our cabin what it was.
Another memorable aspect of camp was the unity we found through competition. By the end of the first week, the Olympics were near, and we functioned as a cohesive unit, having grown together in faith and connection. We had to rely on each other to succeed in the Olympic Games. The Olympics came down to the wire, but we emerged on the other side as victors. It was one of the final, crucial steps to solidify our brotherhood. The Olympic trophy united us all.
Ultimately, my cabin made me realize not only the connections I share with them, but also with the entire Greek-American community. Through Ionian Village I gained lifelong friends and an experience I’ll never forget. To anyone thinking about going to Ionian Village, I would wholeheartedly recommend it. It is truly a summer to remember–I certainly won’t forget.”
“My name is Vasili Nicklow and I was a participant of IV Next in the summer of 2023 and was a member of staff for the summer sessions in 2025. I went to IV Next when I was in between sophomore and junior year of college and met so many like minded people around my age who wanted to grow in their faith and experience a more immersive cultural experience just like I did, many of whom I am still connected with 3 years later. Having missed the chance to attend a summer session as a camper in high school, my short experience in the adult program, combined with the awesome leadership from the admin team, confirmed to me that I had to try and come back to help share the incredible feelings and experiences with other campers.
Spending a summer in Glyfa right after graduating college was perfect timing for me, and the co-staff and campers I had in my cabins made the summer even more memorable. Over the two sessions, I had the younger campers as well as the college bound campers. This was a really cool opportunity to be able to connect with multiple age groups and be flexible in meeting the wants and needs of the two groups. There was a lot of energy and late nights all summer, but the memories made and growth from everyone in the cabins was more than worth it.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to attend IV Next before applying for staff because I feel that having experienced many of the trips and activities helped me to be an even better staff member. Sharing personal reflections and memories was an awesome way to connect more with my campers and help build excitement – even more than they already had!
Every once in a while I go back and look at pictures from my time at IV Next and on staff and am easily able to recall so many amazing moments and memories. I was able to make so many connections with everyone on staff, all my campers, and even ones from other cabins. Every person at Ionian Village is there for a reason and made such a huge impact on my experience. If you are even considering coming to IV, all I have to say is DO IT! You will absolutely not regret it, have the best summer ever, and make so many lifelong friendships to take with you long after you leave Greece.”
Register for the Best Summer Ever!
Please contact us at IonianVillage@goarch.org with any questions or for additional information.
The post Unity through teamwork: Reflections from Ionian Village appeared first on Orthodox Observer.
