EDITORIAL: Summer's significance (08/08/99)

EDITORIAL

Summer's significance

Ah, summertime. A time to relax, "veg," do nothing. Right?

Wrong! For countless Ukrainian kids and teens across North America, summertime is a time of new experiences, of expanding horizons, of learning. Some of them may even realize that they are growing - emotionally, intellectually, spiritually, physically, in so many ways. Others, of course, may simply think they're having fun. Nothing wrong with that.

All of the above comes to mind as we have just completed the layout of this week's centerfold, which features two special camps geared to very specific audiences that are run by two of our largest Ukrainian youth groups, the Ukrainian American Youth Association (SUM) and the Plast Ukrainian Youth Organization. What opportunities are provided for our children by these camps and others! Stop and think for a while about all that is available for our children.

From the age of 4 our children can begin to benefit from socialization and education at day camps for pre-schoolers - the trailblazer of which was "Tabir Ptashat" organized by Plast at the Ukrainian National Association's resort, Soyuzivka. Similar camps are now run by SUM, as well as by Soyuzivka (the latter geared for children who do not speak Ukrainian).

Afterwards, children can attend everything from camps of youth organizations, to sports camps, and dance camps, and bandura camps. There are even family camps!

When they get older, the summer choices for our youths become even more extensive: hiking, canoeing, bicycling, nautical sports, horseback riding, survival skills and leadership training. They can also choose to attend counselors' training courses or travel to Ukraine with a "cultural camp" such as Plast's "Stezhky Kultury."

All of the above teach our children valuable lessons and skills, and instill traits that will stand them in good stead throughout life. Thanks to their challenging programs, such camps encourage and nurture self-confidence, teamwork as well as independence, courage, self-sufficiency, respect for oneself and others, and love of nature and all of God's creatures. They provide a connection to one's roots and build lasting friendships among children from all parts of the country (sometimes from far-flung parts of the globe).

And what parent hasn't delighted in hearing his/her child talk about camp and express satisfaction about having attained some goal that previously seemed unattainable, about having accomplished some task that only yesterday seemed impossible? Just how do we describe all those intangible benefits?

So, what's all this we hear about summer being a break from learning? It's time to give summer camps their due, to recognize their significance, and to thank camp organizers for all they do for our young campers.

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