Ellenville resort hosts eight camps of Ukrainian American Youth Association (09/28/03)

Ellenville resort hosts eight camps of Ukrainian American Youth Association

by Olia Zahnijnyj-Colon

ELLENVILLE, N.Y. - The Ukrainian American Youth Asociation (SUM) hosted eight camps this past summer at its resort ("oselia") in Ellenville, N.Y. Over 400 campers between the ages of 2 and 17 in a wide range of camps.

The season began with the "Vykhovno-Vyshkilnyi Tabir" under the name "Zavziati Bortsi" in memory of Lesia Ukrainka, during which attendees studied and trained to become SUM counselors and leaders. Each attendee completing this three-week camp attended Ukrainian language lectures and was required to pass an exam at the end of the program. The camp had an outstanding staff under the leadership of Ihor Naumenko and Ivan Kebalo. A special guest was Wira Haydamacha, former head of the world executive board of SUM, who lectured on various topics and used innovative methods in order to broaden the campers' knowledge.

At the same time, "Vykhovno-Praktychnyj Tabir" - commonly known by its alumni as "River Camp" - took place under the name of "Temny Bir." Under the leadership of John Leshchuk, campers spent their time in tents by the resort's river and participated in daily hikes in the local Shawangunk mountains.

During this camp the participants learned how to survive in the wilderness, appreciate nature and utilize a compass, and studied the night sky. They visited places such as Lake Minnewaska, Mohonk Preserve and Hunter Mountain, and enjoyed white-water rafting on the Delaware River. The camp ended with a presentation by all the campers of the survival techniques and camping knowledge they had acquired.

During the following two weeks, several camps took place simultaneously. "Vykhovno-Vidpochynkovyi Tabir," under the name "Hora Vysokoho Zamku" in honor of King Danylo, was held under the leadership of Petro Zelez; "Tabir Huseniat," named "Nad Morem," led by Iryna Cohen and Dania Lawro; and "Tabir Sumeniat," named "Vysokyi Zamok," led by Darka Hryckowian.

Children age 2-16 attended these camps and took part in various activities such as singing Ukrainian songs, learning about Ukraine and Ukrainians, swimming in the resort's pool, enjoying campfires, making arts and crafts, taking trips to a farm and to the resort's river, as well as a field trip to Ice Caves Mountain. Children even participated in a royal feast such as those held in the times of King Danylo's reign.

A new summer camp was introduced this year into Ellenville's line-up: "Perekhodovyi Tabir." A dozen girls and boys took part in this transitional camp for for children who have completed kindergarten or first grade but have never attended sleep-away camp. Under the leadership of Slavka Perich, the children took part in many of the activities of "Vidpochynkovyi Tabir," which took place at the same time.

A main difference between the two camps was that the younger campers spent the first part of the week sleeping off-site with their parents, but during the second half of the week camped together like their older counterparts. In this manner the children were able to become familiar with camp life on a smaller and more personal level. The camps ended with a joint concert during which campers sang songs learned at camp and performed a dance from the times of King Danylo.

The next two-week camp was the "Vykhovno-Sportovyi Tabir" named "Halytskyi Lev" in memory of Vasyl Symonenko. Held under the leadership of Stephan Kobyleckyi, this camp dedicated to sports and physical fitness was filled to capacity as it is every year. Campers participated in various sports: swimming, tennis, volleyball, soccer, track and field and, for the first time this year, softball. Campers benefited from the expertise of the instructors - some of whom are professionals in their field. The camp ended with an awards ceremony at which campers who excelled in various sports received medals.

The last two-week camp was "Vykhovno-Mystetskyi Tabir," this year named "Lisova Pisniya" in memory of the 90th anniversary of the death of Lesia Ukrainka. Held under the leadership of Wolodymyr Wyrsta, the camp focused on the arts and culture of Ukraine. Campers had the opportunity to learn wood-carving, embroidery, the arts of making pysanky and gerdany, how to play the bandura and Ukrainian folk dancing. The camp concluded with a spectacular concert on the resort's outdoor stage during SUM's Zdvyh celebration on Labor Day weekend.

This year's summer camps were an all-out success and their young participants thoroughly enjoyed camping at SUM's beautiful resort situated in the Shawangunk Mountains of New York State. The SUM executive thanked the camp directors and their staffs, and especially the parents who every year bring their children to these Ukrainian camps, thereby perpetuating the Ukrainian language as well as the SUM spirit.

For more information about SUM summer camps log on to www.CYM.org.

Olia Zahnijnyj-Colon chairs the Camp Committee of SUM.

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