Chornomorska Sitch conducts 30th anniversary Sports School (09/05/99)

Chornomorska Sitch conducts 30th anniversary Sports School

by Christine Kozak-Prociuk

GLEN SPEY, N.Y. - The Chornomorska Sitch Sports School completed its 30th anniversary season at the Ukrainian Fraternal Association's Verkhovyna resot with more than 80 campers from various regions of the United States and Ukraine participating in the four weekly sessions beginning July 25 and ending August 21.

Soccer instruction was conducted by Andrew Panas and Roman Holowinsky for the first two weeks, and by Ihor Czeszko and Greg Serheev for the second two weeks. Messrs. Panas, Holowinsky and Serheev all are former sports school participants. Various drills and exercises were conducted, and techniques and "moves" were taught, augmented via audio/visual training. The campers participated in extensive competitions for best dribbler, best juggler, most penalty shots, etc.

Swimming instruction was given by Mary Kate Farrell and Orest Hawryluk. Swimmers learned proper stroke and diving techniques, and each swimmer was give specialized instruction for his/her ability. Weekly swim races were enjoyed by all as swimmers exhibited their newly learned swimming skills and competed for medals. Some of the campers were also training for the swim meet to be conducted by the Ukrainian Sports Federation of the U.S.A. and Canada at Soyuzivka during Labor Day weekend.

Tennis was instructed by Yuri Saldana, Mr. Hawryluk, Jane Brynzak and Dan Lewycky. Players were taught terminology in both Ukrainian and English; drills, exercises and stroke clinics were held throughout the four weeks. Tennis players were grouped according to ability and competed in tennis tournaments - even the youngest of players, 8-year-olds, participated.

Volleyball instruction was conducted by Adrianna Hordynsky and Mr. Hawryluk. Players underwent numerous eye-hand-ball coordination, technique, running and strategy drills, and learned scoring techniques. Volleyball players competed against each other using their new skills in setting, digging, bumping, spiking and serving. Volleyball tournaments were held biweekly.

Other activities featured during sports school were: talent/variety shows, singing, dances and the trademark obstacle course "Journey through Ukraine," which features obstacles named after Ukrainian cities in geographical order. (Due to drought conditions, the traditional weekly bonfires were not held.)

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. Sports videos, educational and recreational movies, the singing of the Ukrainian national anthem, the lowering and folding of the American and Ukrainian flags and evening prayers, ended the campers' fun-filled days under the starry skies of Verkhovyna.

Counselors play an important part integrating youths into camp life. The year's especially selected counselors were Ms. Farrell and Ms. Hordynsky, girls' counselors; Alexander Napora, younger boys' counselor; and Walter Wasylak, older boys' counselor. Counselors supervised the campers as they made their beds, and cleaned, swept and mopped their barracks daily for inspection. Many a parent commented on the improvement of their children's abilities. Counselors provided supervision in both the Ukrainian and English languages.

Camp administrators were: Myron Stebelsky, director for first two weeks, Omelan Twardowsky, director for second two weeks, Mary Bokalo, secretary and federal food program administrator, and Christine Kozak-Prociuk, medical director.

At the camp closing on August 2 the camp directors thanked the campers, parents and guests, and urged all campers and their parents to compete in sports throught the year, honorably representing their Ukrainian heritage.

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