THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM (08/01/99)

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

DISPATCH FROM SOYUZIVKA: Children arrive for Chemney Camp

by Tanya Singura
Special to The Ukrainian Weekly

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - The heat and humidity made a return appearance as the second week of Soyuzivka's Children's Camp began. Some children liked their first week so much, they begged their parents to let them stay a second week. As some of the parents came to visit their children, others arrived with new campers.

On Saturday night, the Veselka hall was filled with the beautiful soprano voice of Halyna Konareva singing contemporary and folk pieces accompanied by composer Leonid Verbeytsky. The concert was followed by a dance to music provided by Svitanok. The stars were brighter than ever as our guests and participants of the children's camp danced on the Veselka patio.

On Sunday, Chemney Fun Center campers and their families checked in as well. The day camp for children age 3-7 features camp activities from 10 a.m. to noon and then from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. each day; children stay with their parents. Much to the Soyuzivka staff's pleasant surprise, 31 campers registered this year - more than double the number from last year.

The camp is under the direction of Carol Oleksiuk, who is assisted by Christina Oleksiuk, Marianka Waylyk, Carolina Kalinowska and Tatianna Flis.

Campers greeted familiar faces and friends from last summer and welcomed new ones to the camp. Chemney, Soyuzivka's collie-ambassador to children, even made a guest appearance and stayed long enough for the children to pet him and have their pictures taken with him.

Monday's Steak Night was held indoors due to a brief rainstorm. Guests escaped the heat and ate their steaks under the twinkling lights in the Veselka hall. Once again the steaks were prepared to perfection by Chef Andrij "Snake" Sonevytsky.

The Chemney campers were kept busy all week as they worked on various arts and crafts projects, learned Ukrainian songs and dances, ran obstacle courses and played tennis, to mention just a few of their activities.

The camp took a field trip to the Cole Brothers circus. The traveling three-ring circus kept the children entranced for more than two hours as they watched the various acts, including a human cannonball, tight rope walkers, and tigers, elephants, horses and camels. There were even a few acts from the Moscow Circus. During intermission, some of the campers rode an elephant around one of the rings.

Hutsul Night began right on time, as general manager John A. Flis called everyone to dinner by sounding the Trembita. Along with his "hutsulky" he welcomed everyone with the traditional Ukrainian greeting of bread and salt as Marianka Wasylyk, master of ceremonies for the evening, explained the greeting to guests who might not be familiar with the custom.

She then called up to the front the Children's Camp to sing the song "Mamalega." Chemney campers also came up to sing a song and act out a play. The campers all participated in the limbo dance and then continued to dance to the tunes of Soyuzivka's resident Hutsul, Greg Hrynovets.

The Children's Camp had another jammed packed week of activities as they took a field trip to West Point. The children were given a tour and spent the day exploring the grounds and buying souvenirs.

A swim meet also was held this week, as the children competed against their peers. They also entertained our guests with a talent show. Chemney Camp held a carnival. The children moved from station to station, doing various activities that included face painting, a magic show, bingo, a bean bag toss and much more in the veselka hall. Parents helped and watched while their children enjoyed the activities.

The week wound down with Odesa night held outside on the Veselka patio. On Saturday morning both the Chemney Fun Center and the Children's Camp had their final farewells. Exhausted campers and counselors said their good-byes, promising to keep in touch until next summer when they meet again at Soyuzivka.

Tanya Singura is activities director at Soyuzivka.

Branch 120 hosts golf outing

ROGERS, Ohio - The fourth annual golf outing was a success as 80 golfers and nine volunteers from UNA Branch 120 in Aliquippa, Pa., and Branch 161 in Ambridge, Pa., and their guests gathered on July 10 at the Beaver Creek Meadows Country Club. Following the tournament, the Pennsylvania branches joined together for a picnic at which many prizes and trophies were awarded in many categories. Pictured in the photo above are branch officers: (from left) Mark Szedny, Ron Evushak, Jimmy Helm, Gregory Spolarich.

- Eli Matiash, secreatary-treasurer of UNA Branch 120.

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