Ptashata camp brings families together at UNA resort

by Yarema A. Bachynsky

KERHONKSON, N.Y.- Since 1989, the latter part of June and early July have seen the Plast sorority "Pershi Stezhi" organize a tyke's camp at Soyuzivka. Dubbed "Tabir Ptashat" ("The Little Birds' Camp"), it consists of two one-week day-camp sessions for chidren age 4-6 with a basic ability to speak Ukrainian. This year was no different.

Fifty-six little ones (attended by their older and wiser parents) gathered each day of the first and second sessions for a program of Ukrainian song, nature walks and structured games conducted by various counselors, all of them drawn from among parents. The children, who board, eat and swim with their parents, are given the opportunity to immerse themselves in things Ukrainian, all in a familial setting which draws child and parent close together.

Judging from the enthusiasm with which young and old participated in the "Olympics" held on Friday, July 4, near Vorokhta, it was quite obvious that what Neonilia Sochan, the originator of Tabir Ptashat called "bringing everyone together and reinforcing their sense of unity as a family" was certainly present.

Parents echoed Ms. Sochan's views, with a number naming Tabir Ptashat as an important opportunity to focus on their Ukrainianness, and make a concerted effort at instilling a similar sense of belonging in their children. Many expressed an intent to return the following year for another tour, while others, whose children will be too old for Tabir Ptashat, will enroll their young ones in regular Plast camps, held at various sites throughout the United States and Canada, as well as in Ukraine.

The head counselors at this year's Tabir Ptashat were, for the first and second sessions, respectively, Adrianna Hawryluk Shchuka and Areta Siryj Kuritza.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, July 20, 1997, No. 29, Vol. LXV

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