SOYUZIVKA SCRAPBOOK: Children's Day Camp attracts more than 60 youngsters (08/29/04)

SOYUZIVKA SCRAPBOOK: Children's Day Camp attracts more than 60 youngsters

by Tania Sawa-Priatka

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - The Shawangunk Mountains were alive with the sound of joyous music for two weeks in July as campers age 4-8 took part in sessions of Soyuzivka's Children's Day Camp.

The one-week camp, conducted on the sprawling Ukrainian National Association estate in Kerhonkson, N.Y., took place on July 17-24 and again on July 25-August 1. Over the course of the two weeks, more than 60 children participated in a program designed to expand their understanding and pride of their Ukrainian culture and heritage.

Campers hailed from across the globe, from Indiana to Texas, from Canada to Florida, from South Carolina, Colorado, Vermont, Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania and even from Ukraine.

This year's theme was "Pisnia Ukrainy" or "Melodies of Ukraine" and the children carried this theme throughout their daily activities, which included arts and crafts, Ukrainian folk dancing, story time, music, and sports and games.

Each morning was met with excitement as the children gathered to tackle the projects that each day presented. To begin with, the children were divided into groups named according to traditional Ukrainian instruments, such as the trembita, bandura, sopilka, buben and zozulka (whistle.)

Part of their arts and crafts projects during the week, led by Natalka Junas and Ducia Hanushevska, included making their own versions of these instruments and "performing" with them at the week's farewell evening, or camp closing ceremonies, held on Friday night during Soyuzivka's popular Odesa Night.

The theme of "Pisnia Ukrainy" was further underscored by Tania Sawa-Priatka as she taught the campers a host of up-tempo and cheerful Ukrainian children's songs. These songs could be heard all over Soyuzivka as the campers became more familiar with them and began teaching them to parents and siblings. The songs were then performed, much to the delight of parents, at the farewell evening.

During both weeks, the children also had the pleasure of participating in a special workshop led by Olya Chodoba-Fryz, which afforded them the opportunity to see and hear firsthand the hauntingly beautiful sounds of the bandura. To the surprise and enjoyment of Soyuzivka's guests, the children performed with Ms. Chodoba-Fryz at Hutsul Night.

Adding to the fun, Bohdana Puzyk and Olenka Bilyk led the children on an imaginative journey into the world of Ukrainian "kazky," or folk tales, introducing them to the many popular stories of their parents' youth.

Nadia Kruchowa used sports and games to encourage the children in team play. And, to round out the program, Andrij Oprysko worked with the children to teach them traditional Ukrainian folk dance steps that were performed on the weekend.

Each week, the campers took a field trip to Kelder Farms, where they had a chance to see a real, working farm, go for a hayride, milk a cow and pick blueberries.

Now in its sixth year, Soyuzivka's Children's Day Camp (formerly known as Chemney's Day Camp) is a wonderful opportunity for children to gain an appreciation for their Ukrainian heritage, whether they speak Ukrainian, understand Ukrainian or are simply just proud to be Ukrainian. Dates for next year's camp are still to be announced, however, as the children and their families left this year everyone promised to return for more fun next summer and to encourage their family members and friends to join in.

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