Plast campground in Ohio celebrates its 40th anniversary (09/11/05)

Plast campground in Ohio celebrates its 40th anniversary

by Nancy Stecyk

MIDDLEFIELD, Ohio - During the weekend of July 23-24, over 500 Plast campers, family and friends celebrated the 40th anniversary of Pysanyi Kamin, Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization's campground in Middlefield, Ohio, with both the traditional "Den Plastuna" (Day of the Plast Scout) festivities and special ceremonies centered on the 40th anniversary celebration of the founding of "PK."

On Saturday afternoon, as the campers were returning from their break with their families, the campground sponsored a free barbecue for the out-of town guests. Organized by Roman ("Pan Moloko" - the Milkman) Kwit for the third year in a row, the barbecue presented an opportunity for parents, friends and non-camping Plast members to reunite and share camp stories from past years, as well as get caught up on each others' lives.

Since this barbecue was also a celebration of the founding of the campground, the Plast sororities Shostokryli, Buryverkhy and Lisovi Mavky, the Cleveland "yunachky" (girls age 11-17) and PK campground committee sold commemorative items such as prints and t-shirts, tote bags, hooded sweatshirts, and first aid kits with the 40th anniversary logo emblazoned on them.

As dusk fell, everyone took their blankets and chairs and walked down the path to the main field to the bonfire site. With the stars appearing in the clear night sky, the oldest group of "yunaky" (boys age 11-17) opened the program. The "komandanty" of the camps were invited to light the bonfire for the evening.

As the fire blazed high into the sky, the campers, parents and guests were entertained by the "Amish Sestrychka," played by Halya Jatsyshyn of Toronto, assisted by Nadia Palka-Zappernick, Darka Lasowsky-Nebesh, Petro Fedynsky and "Goofus," also known as Petro Kowcz. Plast counselors and youths with guitars led the singing of the camp songs so dear to everyone's hearts.

The next morning dawned cloudy, but the Plast members and guests joined Father Pavlo Hayda of Chicago to celebrate divine liturgy at the campground's chapel. Father Pavlo, who is a senior Plast member, the father of two campers, and member of the Pobratymy Plast fraternity offered his prayers for all of the campers, support staff and guests, as well as a special prayer for the members of the Plast fraternity Lisovi Chorty who were present. He was assisted by Father Deacon Stefan Kuzyszyn of Ukraine.

At the conclusion of the divine liturgy everyone met at the field near the sports fields, where the respective camps presented their programs. The fledglings of Tabir Ptashat, led by Adriana Nebesh-Lisowsky, presented the program from their camp called "The Magical Boat." They were assisted by Dr. Taras Mahlay on his bandura. Next on the program were the "novachky" (girls age 6-11). under the direction of Chrystia Stachur, who performed their camp songs with the theme "Treasures of the Wild West."

The yunachky under the direction of Chrystia Hanowsky presented "Plast Around the World," with presentations about the activity of Plast in six countries, starting with Ukraine. The "novaky" (boys age 6-11), under the leadership of Adrian Oryshkevych, then performed their program "Lords of Middle Earth."

Ending the program with a presentation of marching drills were the yunaky under the direction of Danylo Proczko, who performed while several hundred family members and friends watched the program under the comfort of their umbrellas during a steady drizzle.

At the conclusion of the program, the campers returned to their respective camp areas to dry off, while family and friends retired to the pavilion. Soon the skies cleared in time for lunch, and the campers and families enjoyed a cookout of barbecued chicken and bratwurst under the sunny skies. Immediately following lunch, the campers enjoyed fun and games under the direction of Roma Telishewsky-Holowaty and Tania Terpylak-Kurtz.

As the guests gradually left the campground and headed home, the campers gathered outside the pavilion again. Cleveland Plast branch leader Nadia Palka-Zappernick carried out one of two large birthday cakes on which was inscribed "Mnohaya Lita, PK." The 240-plus campers sang the traditional Ukrainian song to honor the campground that has brought many wonderful memories to thousands of campers over the past 40 years.

Within a short time there were very few crumbs left of the cake, but the many memories of "Den Plastuna" will remain with all of those who came to celebrate. (As a reminder, they can visit the PK website at www.plastcleveland.org/plastpk.htm to view photographs of the weekend.)

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The celebration of Pysanyi Kamin's 40th anniversary will conclude with a celebratory banquet and program ("Sviatochna Vatra") to be held on October 2 at Pokrova Church Hall. For tickets and further information readers may contact Roman Kwit, (330) 659-2123, or Ivanka Bodnaruk, (440) 838-5458.

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