Preschoolers take over Soyuzivka resort as 2005 "Tabir Ptashat" day camp is held (08/07/05)

Preschoolers take over Soyuzivka resort as 2005 "Tabir Ptashat" day camp is held

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - The Pershi Stezhi sorority of Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization has organized pre-schoolers' day camps at Soyuzivka, the Ukrainian National Association's upstate New York resort, since 1989. Geared to Ukrainian-speaking children age 4-6, two of these one-week camps are typically held each year, with each camp being run by a different camp director and staff.

Notably, this year's camps both tried to incorporate the theme of Ukraine's Orange Revolution in a manner appropriate for preschoolers.

This year, the first week's "Tabir Ptashat," as the camps are known, was directed by Yaropolk Kulchyckyj, with the assistance of 20 counselors and Administrator Neonila Sochan. Fifty-six children participated in activities during the week of June 26 to July 5.

All campers during the first tour received orange neckerchiefs from Ukraine's "maidan," or Independence Square, the focal point of the Orange Revolution.

A highlight of the week was a bonfire with a special guest appearance by Soyuzivka's chef, Andrij Sonevytsky, who demonstrated his musical talents while employing several different instruments. Also that week, a talent night was held during the resort's traditional Odesa Night, during which the little campers performed dances.

At the conclusion of camp, all the children received goody bags filled with Orange Revolution memorabilia and gifts from the Ukrainian National Association, as well as camp certificates.

A record number of campers - 78 - attended the second week of Tabir Ptashat, held July 3-10 under the leadership of veteran director Zirka Kolomayets. She was assisted by 27 counselors and Administrator Oresta Fedyniak. Maya B. Babiak, M.D., and George Kuritza, M.D., volunteered as camp physicians.

Setting the stage for the second tour was a tale told by counselor Andrew Kolomayets about a father who wanted his children to grow up in a country where they could freely speak and learn the Ukrainian language. He was joined on the maidan in Kyiv by multitudes of people and this grew into the Orange Revolution. The children celebrated this happening by creating their own maidan at Soyuzivka.

The second week of camp came to a close with a bonfire highlighted by songs and skits performed by the "ptashata" (as Plast's preschool campers are known). In a special presentation, Ms. Kolomayets was given a fond farewell in recognition of her seven years at Tabir Ptashat - four of them as camp director. She was serenaded with "kolomyiky" and presented a memento bearing all the camp participants' signatures.

Ms. Kolomayets may have been leaving Tabir Ptashat, but she was headed for the Novyi Sokil Plast Camp in North Collins, N.Y., where as the mother of a camper and a Plast member she would be volunteering as a kitchen worker.

The concluding bonfire was attended by Ukrainian National Association President Stefan Kaczaraj, whose remarks encouraged the Tabir Ptashat organizers to continue their work.

Mmes. Sochan and Fedyniak then took the opportunity to present the UNA president a donation from the camp for the purchase of two more bricks in support of Soyuzivka's renaissance.

After the presentation of camp certificates and gifts from the UNA to the little campers, the week was concluded with the singing of the traditional Plast song "Nich Vzhe Ide."

Photos from Tabir Ptashat by Lesia Naumenko, George Kuritza and Damian Handzy.

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