UKELODEON: For The Next Generation (09/08/02)

UKELODEON

For The Next Generation

Sumeniata experience "Pisnia Ukrainy" - Song of Ukraine

by Khrystyna Bihun

ELLENVILLE, N.Y. - Over 50 youngsters, age 4 and 5, enjoyed two weeks of fun and excitement at this year's two-week camping adventure in Ellenville, N.Y., at the resort of the Ukrainian American Youth Association (known by its Ukrainian acronym, SUM). The Sumenyata Camp's theme was "Pisnia Ukrainy" (Song of Ukraine), and much of the fun was centered around the rich musical tradition of Ukraine and Ukrainians.

The adventures were too many to be counted, and included numerous water games; a hike to the oselia's river, where a nature-based scavenger hunt awaited younger campers while a "terenova hra" challenged the older kids; an indoor Winter Olympics complete with bobsled races and an ice skating competition (yes, we're aware this was a summer camp); a field trip to a local farm to pick corn and blueberries as well as to feed the barnyard animals; culinary arts, featuring hands-on varenyky-making and ice cream-making, with the patient and cheerful cooperation of the dear kitchen staff; and lots, lots more.

Many thanks go out to this year's staff: camp director Darka Horbachevskyj, and counselors Oksana Bartkiw, Khrystia Bihun, Oksana Bodnar, Chrystia Fedorijchuk, Darka Hryckowian, Halyna Shepko and Marianka Wasylyk, who developed and conducted an original and outstanding camp program.

One of the oldest camping traditions is the evening campfire. The sumeniata enjoyed a rich vatra program prepared by staffers featuring the oldest sumeniata - members of the group named Bandury - and a guest appearance by participants of the neighboring Huseniata Camp (children age 1 to 3).

Pawlo Danyliw and Bohdanna Wolansky visited the camp with a display of very traditional and also some very unconventional home-made Ukrainian musical instruments. The children enjoyed them all, from the bigger-than-life trembita to the pint-sized drymba, but most pleasing to the children was the opportunity to try their hand at each of the instruments and enjoy the sounds they made.

At the end of each week of camp, a tea and "zabava" (dance) were held. Sumeniata decorated, and then ate, cookies, played music and games, and danced until they dropped. They can't wait until next year to come to camp again.

For more information about SUM and its summer camp programs, visit the association's website at www.CYM.org.

Huseniata, too, enjoy SUM campgrounds

by Iryna Nauholnyk-Cohen

ELLENVILLE, N.Y. - This year as part of its summer camp program, the Ukrainian American Youth Association (SUM) officially introduced a Huseniata program into the line-up of youth camps in Ellenville, N.Y. This two-week camp, held from July 21 to August 3, was geared specifically for Ukrainian-speaking children age 1-3.

A total of 36 children participated in the camp over the course of two weeks. Some stayed for one week, while others enjoyed both weeks of fun.

The theme of this year's tabir was "Nash Horod" (Our Garden). Throughout the two weeks, the children planted and tended to a real outdoor garden. At the end of each week, each child also received a flower to plant in his or her garden at home, as a reminder of their experience at camp.

Every day the Huseniata sang Ukrainian songs, created arts and crafts projects and were immersed into a fully Ukrainian toddler experience with education, the Ukrainian language and, of course, fun as the main focuses.

Myriad exciting activities included a hike to the Ellenville estate's river a trip to Kelder's farm in Kerhonkson, sundae-making and an Olympiad event. A highlight of each week was a release of a total of 2,000 live ladybugs into the camp's garden.

All this was made possible through the dedication, toil and inspiration of the camp's staff and counselors: Iryna Nauholnyk-Cohen (director), Chrystia Danyliuk, Hania Myhal, Maryann Zawojski, Natalka Stupak, Lesia Myhal and Nadia Leniw.

Roving reporter Petro Pytaye: What did you do this summer?

Ukelodeon reporter Petro Pytaye, was on the scene at the Ukrainian National Association's Soyuzivka resort for this year's exciting Labor Day celebrations. While Petro was at Suzy-Q, he asked other youngsters what they did during their summer.

Remy Cholhan, 11, Rochester, N.Y.:

"I went to Plast camp in Buffalo and three hockey camps. The best part was Plast camp (Yunatskyi Tabir) because it was so much fun. The camp was called 'Striletska Sima.' "

Elyse Benoit, 14; Shavertown, Pa.:

"I went to dance camp at Soyuzivka for two weeks with Roma Pryma-Bohachevsky and spent three weeks at the resort with my family and two friends. The best part was dance camp. This was my fourth year and I love it there."

The Halatyns, Suzanna, 8, and Zoe, 5, Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.:

"We went to the Chemny camp [at Soyuzivka] and to Ukrainian Week in Wildwood, N.J. We also went to Barbados for one week in June and to an American camp called Squire Advantage. We both made new friends this summer."

Suzanna added: "I really liked the Chemny camp, and Barbados was a lot of fun."

Dianka and Marchyk Kyzyk, 3-1/2, Brooklyn, N.Y.:

"Went to Wildwood [their father, Roman, noted that it was their first time] and went to 'Huseniata' (a camp at SUM oselia), also, Tabir Ptashat [their father noted that they were too young to be members of the Ptashata camp, which was held at Soyuzivka for two weeks, but were "attached" to the camp].

Marchyk added: "We liked Wildwood."

2002 Plast camp for "novaky" was educational, fun - the best ever

by Paul Hadzewycz

EAST CHATHAM, N.Y. - Plast camp this year was very much fun and educational. Our camp name was "Valhalla," and we learned about Viking heritage, history and religion. Valhalla was a heaven for Vikings - only the best, the boldest and the strongest warriors got to go there. The entrance to our camp was a gate in the shape of a Viking ship.

At camp at "Vovcha Tropa" we also played many sports and games. We played a game we called "bratchyk ball" - which was dodgeball against our "bratchyky," or counselors. We went on trips to Howe Caverns and a lake at Fox Hill Camping.

This was my last year as a "novak"; next year I will be a "yunak." Because this was my last year, I went on a hike to Slattery's General Store with other older "novaky."

This was my best year yet at camp. I look forward to next year.

Paul Hadzewycz, 10 (well, almost 11) of Morristown, N.J., has been attending Plast camps at "Vovcha Tropa" since age 6. He is a sixth grader.

Mishanyna

This month's Mishanyna could be described as a checklist of supplies you might need as you head back to school. See if you can find all the items on the list below in the Mishanyna grid above.

backpack, binder, bookcovers, calculator, compass, crayons, dictionary, eraser, folders, glue, highlighter, markers, notebooks, pencils, pens, protractor, scissors.

OUR NEXT ISSUE: UKELODEON is published on the second Sunday of every month. To make it into our next issue, dated October 13, please send in your materials by October 4.

CONTACT: UKELODEON, c/o The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054; fax, (973) 644-9510. Call us at (973) 292-9800; or send e-mail to staff@ukrweekly.com. (We ask all contributors to please include a daytime phone number.)

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