Get away to "Oselia SUM" to enjoy activities geared for the whole family (05/02/04)

A Ukrainian Summer: where to go, what to do...

Get away to "Oselia SUM" to enjoy activities geared for the whole family

by Petro Kosciolek

ELLENVILLE, N.Y. - Almost 50 years ago the Ukrainian American Youth Association (SUM) purchased a tract of land in the Shawangunk valley of the New York Catskills, between the villages of Spring Glen and Ellenville. Volunteers immediately began pouring in to renovate and clean the few run-down buildings, prepare the grounds for the first SUM children's camps in the U.S. and clear a dirt road that leads to a beautiful lake and stream.

Today, many dedicated volunteers, both SUM members and non-members, continue to clean, renovate, modernize and prepare the beautiful "Oselia SUM," as it is known, for each season. Most of the original buildings now blend in with monuments of Ukrainian heroes, many newer buildings, including a children's camp built in the style of a Zaporozhian Sich fort, two chapels, an Olympic-size pool, a sports field with a quarter-mile track, tennis and basketball courts, playgrounds, a restaurant and the new "CYM Kafe." In addition, a new chapel is being built in the style of Ukrainian Lemko churches and will be blessed this year.

The oselia is the perfect vacation spot or weekend getaway, especially for those looking to escape the hectic city or suburb lifestyle. The tranquil setting of the mountain stream is reason enough to stay; for others, it's the atmosphere at one of the social events or the music at an outdoor dance-zabava. Summertime at oselia brings together young adults, teenagers, parents, children and not-so-young adults - with something for everyone.

The fourth annual Lemko Vatra kicks off this year's summer season during the last weekend of June. The traditional Fourth of July weekend features dances and shows at oselia. New this year is the beach party in the bar - for adults. The Quad Grass Volleyball Tournament and annual Softball Tournament return for another round in August. The season finale is the traditional SUM "Zdvyh" - an ever-popular festival during Labor Day weekend, and one of the largest gatherings of Ukrainians in the Northeastern U.S.

Children and parents will love the Family Fun Weekend planned for July 31. Throughout the summer, the new CYM Kafe becomes the children's headquarters with supervised arts and crafts activities and many special movie nights. Parents can join in or enjoy delicious coffee and sweets while the children are busy at work.

The SUM resort is located on Route 209 in Ulster County, N.Y., two miles south of the village of Ellenville. For more information call (845) 647-7230, e-mail Ellenville@CYM.org, or visit the website www.cym.org/us/ellenville. Also, look for updates on oselia happenings on the pages of The Ukrainian Weekly throughout the summer.

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