Chornomorska Sitch conducts Sports School at Verkhovyna (10/13/96)

Chornomorska Sitch conducts Sports School at Verkhovyna

GLEN SPEY, N.Y. - The Chornomorska Sitch Sports School completed another successful season at the Ukrainian Fraternal Association's Verkhovyna resort in Glen Spey, N.Y. An average of 50 campers per session from various regions of the United States and Ukraine participated in the four weekly sessions beginning on July 28 and ending on August 24.

Myron Stebelsky, the director for the first two weeks, greeted the campers at the opening ceremonies. Staff members currently from Ukraine also were introduced: Albert Kolb, professional coach from Uzhhorod, and Ivan Rudowsky, professional tennis coach from Ivano-Frankivsk. Mr. Rudowsky is also a member of the Ukrainian Tennis Federation and has coached three junior Ukrainian tennis champs.

Yaroslaw Gabur, manager of Verkhovyna, offered greetings and a bid for a successful camping season.

Soccer instruction was conducted by Ihor Chupenko, who is a technical director and head coach, along with Wolodymyr Kavale, a professional coach from Kyiv. Various drills, exercises, techniques and moves were taught, along with the implementation of audio/visual training.

After the third week of camp, the Portuguese Clube De Jovens, a soccer club from St. Fatima Church in Elizabeth, N.J., visited the sports camp, participated in drills, and played two exhibition games in two age groups with the campers. In the fourth week of camp, the campers participated in extensive competitions for: best dribbler, best juggler, most penalty shots and others.

Swimming instruction was conducted by Leonid Slupsky and Christine Kozak-Prociuk, assisted by Antonia Korduba. Swimmers learned proper stroke and diving techniques. Each swimmer was given specialized instruction for his/her ability and weekly swim races were held. Some of the campers were also training for the upcoming swim meet conducted by the Ukrainian Sports Federation of the U.S.A. and Canada at Soyuzivka during the Labor Day weekend.

Tennis was instructed by Messrs. Kolb and Rudowsky. Tennis players were taught the terminology in both Ukrainian and English. Drills, serving, exercises and stroke clinics were prevalent throughout the four weeks. Tennis players were grouped by ability and competed in tennis tournaments with even the youngest of players, who were 5 years old.

Volleyball instruction was conducted by Mr. Slupsky. Players learned numerous eye-hand-ball coordination techniques, and underwent running and strategy drills. Volleyball players competed against each other in biweekly tournaments, using their newly acquired skills in setting, digging-bumping, spiking and serving.

Nightly league games were the highlights of each sports-filled day for the campers. Using Ukrainian cities and team names, the campers competed against one another, giving them an opportunity to display their talents.

Counselors play an important part in the integration of campers from home life to camp life. This year's specially selected counselors were: Lida Bokalo and Yaroslava Wasylak, girls' counselors; Alexander Napora, younger boys' counselor; and Walter Wasylak, older boys' counselor. Counselors supervised the campers as they made their beds, cleaned, swept and mopped their barracks daily for inspection. Many a parent commented on the improvement of their children's abilities. Counselors provided their care in both the Ukrainian and English languages. Daily barrack inspection was conducted by Mr. Stebelsky, Omelan Twardowsky, Mr. Chupenko and Mrs. Kozak-Prociuk.

Camp administrators were: Mr. Stebelsky, director for the first two weeks; Mr. Twardowsky, director for the second two weeks; Mr. Chupenko, technical director and head coach; Marika Bokalo, secretary and Federal Food Program administrator; Mrs. Kozak-Prociuk, medical director.

Other activities featured during sports school were: a weekly bonfire program featuring skits, a talent/variety show, singing, dances and the obstacle course "Journey through Ukraine." The obstacle course features obstacles named after Ukrainian cities in a geographical order, and the campers competed weekly against each other to win the coveted first places in their age categories.

On the last day of camp, the campers attended a commemoration of the fifth anniversary of the independence of Ukraine at Town Hall. The raising of the American and Ukrainian flags, the playing of national anthems, and keynote speakers Consul-General Victor Kryzhanivsky, Rep. Benjamin Gillman, Legislator Robert Lander and Mayor Hill greeted all present. Campers were proud of their Ukrainian heritage and happy to be a part of this celebration.

The camp closing was held on August 24 with a mini-banquet. Awards were distributed to the top campers and athletes. The camp directors thanked the campers, parents and guests, and urged all campers and their parents to compete in sports throughout the year.