SUM and Plast youngsters find common ground in time spent together (07/22/01)

SUM and Plast youngsters find common ground in time spent together

by Andrew Nynka

ELLENVILLE, N.Y. - Marking almost 10 years since the Ukrainian youth organizations SUM and Plast last met officially, 40 Plast members, age 14-16, and five counselors traveled to Ellenville, N.Y., on July 12 at the invitation of their SUM counterparts in order to promote dialogue among organizations and give the youngsters an opportunity to learn about each other.

"There seems to have been this divide between organizations," said Dania Nauholnyk, head educational counselor for SUM "vyshkilnyi" camp. "We thought this would be an excellent opportunity to bring the two groups together and have them learn from each other, to see the differences and similarities that exist between both groups. I believe it's important for these kids to understand that even though we have differences we can still do things together and learn from each other."

Ms. Nauholnyk noted that the idea to bring both organizations together came from Andrij Bihun, director of SUM summer camps 2001, Ellenville, N.Y, as well as Halyna Shepko and Lesya Palylyk.

On Friday evening the Plast party arrived by bus to 80 eagerly awaiting members of SUM's "vyshkilnyi" camp, age 14-17, who stood ready to greet the Plast entourage. The Plastuny were treated to a barbecue dinner cooked by SUM Camp's Second Kurin (group) "Tykhyi Lis" (quiet woods).

After finishing dinner and unpacking, the SUM and Plast groups retreated to a bonfire, where they were joined by 15 members of SUM's practical "river camp" entitled "Temnyi Bir" (dark forest) for songs, skits, and roasted marshmallows.

Commenting on the bonfire, Markian Kuzmowycz, a 14-year-old Plastun, said: "Their skits for the bonfire were different, but it was something new. It was nice to see something different."

Wasyl Liber, a 16-year-old SUMivets, who built the bonfire along with fellow SUMivtsi Mark Kozicky, Matey Vitvitsky, Steve Frycz and Steve Schur, commented on the outcome of the evening, saying: "It was interesting to see what Plastuny did differently, which was almost nothing. It seemed that we do a lot of things similarly."

Lesia Drozd and Oksana Czebiniak, who prepared and implemented the program for the bonfire, explained to the listening Plastuny what their SUM camp is all about and introduced its counselors and leadership. The second in command of the Plast group, Peter Steciuk, gave the SUM listeners insight into what occupies Plastuny at their camps and introduced their counselors and leadership.

The next morning Askold Lozynskyj, president of the Ukrainian World Congress, greeted both groups and spoke about the Ukrainian diaspora and its worldwide distribution. Mr. Lozynskyj mentioned his awareness of American influence on today's younger generation of the Ukrainian diaspora, but stressed the need to maintain ethnic roots.

"This is something that will bond you together forever. You are among a very rare breed of Americans who can communicate with people from Kazakstan, Siberia, Germany, Argentina and many other places around the globe. This you've gained because of your unique Ukrainian background," explained Mr. Lozynksyj.

Next, Mr. Lozynskyj introduced the screening of Oles Yanchuk's film concerning Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) Commander Roman Shukhevych titled "Neskorenyi" ("The Undefeated"), which portrayed the general's life throughout the period 1939-1952, giving viewers a sense of the Ukrainian nation's struggle. The film drew applause from the youngsters and a general sense of increased awareness among the audience of almost 150.

"We got a chance to sit and talk a little about each other - who we are, what we like," remarked Yustyna Valega, a 17-year-old SUMivka. "It was nice because during lunch we didn't sit separately. Both groups mixed together and talked to each other. We talked a little bit about our differences, but in the end it seems that we're not all that different," Ms. Valega continued.

The campers also competed in a volleyball tournament composed of six SUM teams and six Plast teams. Although competition was not the purpose of the event-an atmosphere of friendship and connection between the two groups was stressed-the tournament concluded with two SUM teams in the final.

Christina Duzyj, head counselor for the Plast girls age 11-16, noted: "Of course this was a worthwhile trip. We had some healthy and not so healthy competition, but it gave us an opportunity to learn about each other. I believe it's important to plant the seed. This is the first time something like this has been done in quite some time and there's always got to be a first."

"This was an important first step and if we can continue to do things like this perhaps we can develop greater communication between both organizations," she said.

"The trip was fun, I'd like to see them come to our camp and see what our facilities are like," Mr. Kuzmowycz mentioned, "I think I've seen some of these same people at Soyuzivka in Kerhonkson, N.Y., but I've never approached them. I feel more comfortable about it now. If I see them again I would definitely approach them now."

"Their campground was very different. Their focus is more on academics. They spend more of their time inside learning, while we're always outdoors. The volleyball was fun, but they were a little older and probably much better than us. But it was more for the experience than the competition," observed 14-year-old Plastunka Alexandra Paslawsky.

Upon departing for East Chatham, Ms. Duzyj thanked all the SUM organizers and participants for their warm and welcome hospitality, and expressed her wish that the following year could repeat the experience giving the Plast group a chance to host the SUM group. Volodymyr Kohut, head counselor for the SUM "vyshkilnyi" camp bid the departing Plastuny a safe trip and expressed his wishes to see the group again the following year.

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