Over 250 Plast youths participate in Memorial Day weekend camporee (06/11/00)

Over 250 Plast youths participate in Memorial Day weekend camporee

by Halyna Kuzyszyn-Holubec

MIDDLEFIELD, Ohio - Over 250 Plast youths and 50 counselors and chaperones braved the cold, rainy weather over Memorial Day weekend at the annual "Sviato Vesny," held at the youth organization's "Pysanyi Kamin" campground in Middlefield, Ohio.

Sviato Vesny, a traditional Plast celebration of spring, was attended by scouts from Buffalo, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, New York City, Philadelphia, Rochester, Washington, and Newark and Passaic, N.J.

The annual event usually occurs on the East Coast and in the Midwest separately, but this year the U.S. National Plast Command and organizers from Chicago, New York and Cleveland, determined that a unified Sviato Vesny was a great way for the youths to meet and establish friendships prior to the 50th anniversary Jamboree in August.

"It's a very positive experience," said Borys Pawluk, head of the U.S. National Plast Command. "They seem to be having a wonderful time," Mr. Pawluk added, pointing out that most of the youths will be attending summer camps and the Jamboree in the Adirondacks, and their meeting at this event is a preview of an exciting, adventure-filled summer.

"There's a very positive attitude on the part of the kids," said Sviato Vesny Commander Andres Durbak of Chicago. "A U.S. (national) Sviato Vesny is a big winner and during the opening ceremonies everyone felt that unity," he continued.

Pysanyi Kamin administrator Andrew Halarewicz observed that he felt the event was a success and the youths didn't even notice the rainy weather. "The kids have a lot more interaction with each other in this environment," Mr. Halarewicz said. Pysanyi Kamin, which will be hosting summer camps has prepared for Sviato Vesny and camps with the extensive help of Cleveland's Parent's Committee, which has been making significant improvements to the campground as well as rounding up volunteers to complete various tasks. Mr. Halarewicz noted that "there was a reawakening interest in bettering the whole facility and getting the benefit from it," which prompted parents to come together and ensure attractive and safe grounds for their kids.

The theme of this year's Sviato Vesny was "Shukh Nas Povede" (Shukhevych will lead the way), as part of the U.S. National Plast Command's suggestion that the year's Plast activities be dedicated to the memory of Gen. Roman Shukhevych, the commander of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army known as Taras Chuprynka and Plast member.

Youths were not only given materials about the life of Shukhevych, but their activities throughout the weekend - which included a field game in which they had to protect Shukhevych from assassination, games of knowledge, movie screenings etc. - revolved around facts about Shukhevych, his involvement in Plast and his leadership of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN).

The youths also learned of Shukhevych's school days in Lviv, where he was active in sports and eventually became part of the Chornomortsi Plast fraternity. Old Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) songs were taught to the youths over the weekend, so they would further come to understand the circumstances of Shukhevych's struggle. Discussions also circulated throughout the weekend, around the subject of Shukhevych/Chuprynka as a hero, and about who youths view as their heroes of today.

Although many counselors and Plast leaders may comment about youths today being radically different from the youths of previous generations, kids still want to get together and meet other kids from other places.

"They're happy to see other plastuny, other Ukrainians," said Daria Lassowsky-Nebesh, a counselor who traveled to Pysanyi Kamin with her girls from Washington. "I think it's one of the few chances youths get to know one another," Ms. Nebesh said, "and it's worth the effort!"

Keeping the weekend's programs to a schedule and maneuvering the various groups of youths throughout the weekend were just some of the responsibilities of 18-year-old Sviato Vesny "bunchuznyi" (deputy commander) Damien Matusiak of Chicago. Mr. Matusiak has had the responsibilities of bunchuznyi in his Plast branch and at summer camp, and is planning a Plast-packed summer consisting of three-week water sports camp, "Morskyi Tabir" and the Jamboree 2000.

"I think the kids have had the opportunity to get to know each other because of the groups they were divided into, and because of the various activities they're doing," Mr. Matusiak said.

"When you have rain, the youths are forced to stay together and be more creative," said Nadya Czemerynski, head of the Philadelphia Plast branch, who came to Sviato Vesny as a chaperone. Ms. Czemerynski said she believes a national Sviato Vesny was "phenomenal," in that youths established closer contact for later correspondence and a chance to grow up together.

Alexa Milanytch, a 17-year-old counselor from Newark, said "What's really great about Plast is the chance to meet people." Ms. Milanytch, who will be a counselor this summer for "novatstvo" (children age 6-11), is also the leader of her troop in Newark. She commented that Sviato Vesny was an overall success, despite the rain. "Being an optimist, you have to make the best of everything," she added.

"I like Plast because of the way they do things," said 14-year-old Maksym Artymshyn of New York. He added that he enjoyed meeting his peers at Sviato Vesny and is looking forward to seeing them again at summer camp and the Jamboree.

On Saturday evening, the youths were treated to a "vechirka" (dance), and throughout the day participated in as many outdoor activities as weather permitted.

Sunday morning's liturgy was celebrated by Cleveland Plast's chaplain, the Rev. Andrew Hanowsky of St. Josaphat's Cathedral in Parma. The day's program was filled out by sing-alongs, games and challenges, culminating in a "vatra" (campfire) which, unfortunately, had to be held indoors.

Also on Sunday, around 40 novatstvo from the Cleveland Plast branch also joined the 300-plus crowd at Pysanyi Kamin for a day of Sviato Vesny. The children's day revolved around arts and crafts, sports and sing-alongs, as well as the presentation of various badges and promotion.

Monday morning's departures were sad for the youths, but they were cheered by the thoughts of seeing one another soon at traditional summer camps and on the 2,300-acre Sabattis Scout Reservation in New York state's Adirondack Park, during the Jamboree in August. During the week of August 12-19 youths will hike, canoe, sail, mountain and rock climb - a fitting culmination to Plast's summer activities.

For more information on Plast or the 50th anniversary Jamboree visit the website: www.plast.org.

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