Plast's Morskyi Tabir 2005 sails above and beyond expectations (09/04/05)

Plast's Morskyi Tabir 2005 sails above and beyond expectations

by Yarema Belej

PITTSFIELD, Mass. - For one week in August, older Plast youths age 15-17 took part in the 55th annual "Morskyi Tabir" (Sea Scouting Camp) held this year on Richmond Pond in Pittsfield, Mass.

With a total of 39 yunatsvo, the bulava, consisting of 22 members, taught the teens how to sail, canoe, kayak, motorboat, water-ski, wakeboard, swim and lifeguard.

"Morskyi Tabir is a place where young 'plastuny' get an opportunity to partake in numerous water sports [which] are otherwise too difficult or expensive to engage in," said Matthew Rakowsky, one of the counselors. "The Chornomortsi make it all easily accessible and affordable."

Good fortune smiled down on the campers as a brief drizzle pulled them off the water for only an hour. Otherwise entire days were spent on and in the water under the golden sun, as the campers were given an all-around introduction to sea scouting.

"It was definitely one of the best tabory [camps] I have ever been to," said Andrij Lasiy, 16, of Cedar Knolls, N.J. "I will be back next year."

The captain (komendant) of the camp, Markian Pawluk, a full-fledged member of the 25th Plast fraternity Chornomortsi, very successfully managed a camp where all involved walked away with smiles and great memories.

"Calm waters allowed for smooth sailing," said a reflective Mr. Pawluk, "allowing the crew and passengers to experience MT [Morskyi Tabir] to its fullest potential." A dedicated crew, good humor, fun activities, and MT traditions all contributed to the overall success of MT 2005.

Morskyi Tabir is held in different locations every year, depending on circumstance and availability, but the Camp Marion White site on Richmond Pond was both convenient and up to the task of hosting the camp. Open waters, great sunsets and the functionality of the location acted as a great backdrop to the upbeat and easy-going camp.

Head instructor for sailing Paul Farmiga said, "It truly is amazing to witness the delicate balance of water safety fundamentals overlapping with the sheer exhilaration that fun in the sun and water have to offer all involved."

The long tradition of entertaining and fun at past MTs was maintained, if not surpassed by this year's installment.

Great games, from "All-Out Dodge-ball War" to "Mazola Ball," and entertaining evenings highlighted by a dance and intimate campfires at the foot of the lake kept the nights just as memorable as the daily water sports activities.

Furthermore, the traditional singing of funny songs before every meal was made even more competitive this year as the food was simply amazing.

Head cook Damian Holynskyj, with assistants Lelia Holynskyj and Alexa Kryzaniwsky, put together and executed a menu that most do not have the pleasure of enjoying at home, never mind at camp. From London broil to pork tenderloin, the stomachs of the yunatsvo were full for their full schedule of water activities.

"It was a pleasure to cook for all the kids," said Mr. Holynskyj, "especially after they worked up great appetites from all the sun-soaked activities of the day."

Daily adventures on both water skis and wakeboards combined with calming excursions on small sailboats and canoes were but some of the new disciplines the members of the camp got to learn and master.

Some last-minute tinkering allowed the Plast youths to experience what a small airplane really looks like up close. Head wakeboarding counselor and licensed pilot Paul Jarymowycz took small groups to the local private airport located five miles away. Here they saw what a pre-flight checklist involves, including a tutorial on what all the parts of a Cessna 152 airplane are.

The incredibly cooperative and pleasant staff at the Pittsfield Airport ended the experience by allowing all visitors to board and spend some time on a private Lear jet.

Not a minute of the camp was spent idly, or unproductively. The very upbeat and excited campers spent their week at camp doing and learning as much as possible, all while forging great new friendships that will long outlive the summer.

All of the bulava (camp staff) was ecstatic with the success of the 55th annual camp. "It was the most stress-free tabir I have experienced as a bulavna," said Alexa Kryzaniwsky.

The Chornomortsi fraternity and the Chornomorski Khvyli sorority credited all involved for the success of Morskyi Tabir 2005; they look forward to seeing both familiar and new faces next summer.

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