Celebration of spring brings together Plast's youngest members

by Roma Hadzewycz

MENDHAM, N.J. - Scores of children from Plast branches in Newark and Passaic, N.J., as well as Philadelphia, were treated on June 4 to a Sunday in the park with a twist: this was the annual "Sviato Vesny," a celebration of spring organized annually by the Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization as a finale to its school-year activity and a prelude to its summer program.

In all, 137 children ranging in age from 5 to 11 participated in the daylong program conducted by 59 counselors and volunteers. Another 110 were registered as guests for Sviato Vesny at Lewis Morris County Park, which is located in Mendham, Morris Township and Harding Township, N.J.

The program for "novatstvo" (Plast children age 6 -11) encompassed a "terenovyi zmah," or field game in the woodlands surrounding the park's scenic Doe Meadow; and games and sports in the meadow. Similar activities were organized for the youngest children, 5-year-olds enrolled in "Ptashata pry Plasti," a pre-Plast program for preschoolers and kindergartners.

All enjoyed a "bonfire" (not the real thing in keeping with park regulations that do not allow open fires); and a "nature surprise."

The latter was a lecture/demonstration by Bill Robinson of Wildlife Lectures in Saugerties, N.Y. Illustrating his talk about safeguarding wildlife, Mr. Robinson - much to the delight of young and old alike - brought out a veritable menagerie of creatures. Featured were a turkey vulture, falcon, horned owl, snapping turtle, alligator, monkey-tailed skink (a type of lizard) and a python.

The day's events were organized and directed by a corps of dedicated Plast members, with the Lisovi Mavky sorority taking charge of the program for ptashata, and the Spartanky of Newark and Philadelphia in charge of general organization.

The "hnizdovi," or leaders of novatstvo in Plast branches - Lialia Holynskyj and Nestor Maksymowych of Newark, Ania Hnateyko of Passaic and Nika Chaikovsky of Philadelphia - also were instrumental in this year's Sviato Vesny.

Lunch and a late afternoon snack were provided courtesy of the Plast support group composed largely of parents known as Plast-Pryiat.

Phenomenal weather, which greatly enhanced everyone's enjoyment of Sviato Vesny, was provided courtesy of the Almighty.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, June 11, 2000, No. 24, Vol. LXVIII

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