August 19, 2016

“Sunflowers of Ukraine” is theme of “Tabir Ptashat”

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Sunflower fairy Ruslana Makar with ptashata.

KERHONKSON, N.Y. – A week in the Shawangunk Mountains with fresh air and outdoor activities for children is possibly the best gift you can give them and possibly what most pediatricians would recommend as well. This year’s second session of “Tabir Ptashat,” held June 26-July 2 at Soyuzivka under the auspices of the Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization’s Pershi Stezhi sorority, was led by camp administrator Oksana Isajiw.

It was a true delight with memorable experiences for not only the children who attended, but for the counselors and parents. The children (known in Plast as “ptashata,” or little birds) ranged in age from 4 to 6. This year’s theme was “Sunflowers of Ukraine,” and the program was led by Chrystia Gorski-Makar, director (komendantka) of the camp.

Train conductor Ivan Makar with a Hutsulka and the campers leave for the Karpaty.

Train conductor Ivan Makar with a Hutsulka and the campers leave for the Karpaty.

Ptashata magically traveled to Ukraine on a daily basis and visited Kyiv, Lviv, the Carpathian Mountains (Karpaty) and Kharkiv. Every day the “sunflower fairy” would come, sprinkle the ptashata with fairy dust and deliver a secret message to the komendantka to let the ptashata know where they were traveling. Train conductor Ivan Makar would then lead the children in song and they would follow him on the magical train ride to their destination for the day.

This year’s groups (named after birds popular in Ukraine) were Woodpeckers, Swans, Swallows, Doves, Cuckoos and Nightingales – a total of 52 children.

As they do every year, the ptashata enjoyed activities such as music, arts and crafts, Ukrainian dance, singing Ukrainian songs, nature studies (the activities for the little campers included planting their own sunflower seeds), fun and games, as well as a bonfire.

In addition, the ptashata were treated to ice cream on Lviv day and went horseback riding and listened to a magical sopilka and trembita played by Andrij Miliavsky on Karpaty day. Their travel to Ukraine culminated on Friday at a masquerade-carnival lead by Tania Kohut.

A group photo from “Tabir Ptashat,” week 2.

Chrystia Gorski-Makar

A group photo from “Tabir Ptashat,” week 2.

At the end of the camp, the ptashata surprised their parents with a lovely Ukrainian dance lead by Larissa Spisic. Costumes were made by Slava Halavay. Sunflower wreaths and hats made by Oriana Makar were later gifted to each camper.

The camp would not have been possible without the volunteer counselors and parents who helped make this one of the finest ptashata camps. Moreover, Soyuzivka staff leaders Sonia Semanyszyn and Stefko Drabyk supported the camp with their multi-faceted assistance.

The campers thoroughly enjoyed the week and will most likely return next year to join their new friends for another memorable experience.

A photo board shows “Sunflowers of Ukraine” – all the little campers.

A photo board shows “Sunflowers of Ukraine” – all the little campers.

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