UKELODEON: For The Next Generation (09/10/00)

UKELODEON

For The Next Generation

This summer many UKELODEON readers attended Plast camps for preschoolers known as "Tabory Ptashat." Below are reports from several of those camps.

"Ptashata" enjoy camps near Cleveland ...

MIDDLEFIELD, Ohio - More than a decade ago, Plast instituted its Tabir Ptashat designed to give 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds and their parents a fun camping experience. This summer's camp at Pysanyi Kamin near Cleveland took place on July 9-15.

Twenty-two enthusiastic campers along with their moms or dads came from Cleveland, Chicago, Detroit, Washington, Philadelphia and Miami to participate in the program titled "Let po Sviti" or "Travels Around the World."

Using their imaginations and with passports and suitcases in hand, the young campers embarked on a weeklong adventure, collecting interesting mementos along the way - many of which they made themselves.

The camp was run by two Plast members - Nadia Palka-Zappernick from the Shostokryli Plast sorority and Christine Panchuk-Fedynsky from the Lisovi Mavky sorority. Seventeen parent volunteers and one "bratchyk" helped make the camp a big success.

Highlights from the group's world (and some out-of-this-world) travels included very creative puppet theater shows, a carnival with pony rides, nature walks, the Tabir Ptashat "sopilka" band, cookie baking and decorating, storytelling and a camp Olympics.

Participants went home weary but happy with many happy memories of Pysanyi Kamin and their around-the-world adventure.

... in the Buffalo area

NORTH COLLINS, N.Y. - Ten families braved initial downpours and enthusiastically pitched their tents to begin the 11th Tabir Ptashat, "Krai Lisy na Polantsi," at Novyi Sokil campground near Buffalo, N.Y.

Sixteen children, nearly all third-generation Novyi Sokil campers, traveled from five different states, including Washington, Texas, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and of course, New York. Marta (née Elyjiw) Brewer, assisted by Andrew Pryshlak and Dr. Christina Stasiuk, led the camp, which took place July 16-22.

In addition to the usual camp activities of songs, games, crafts, and bonfires, the children cooked and ate delicious "stone soup," made kazoos at the world famous Eden Kazoo Factory, petted newborn calves at Phillips dairy farm and saw a herd of buffalo at the nearby A&S Buffalo Ranch.

The highlight of the week came on July 22 with the 50th anniversary celebration of Novyi Sokil - the first and oldest Plast camp in the Americas, which is known for its jewel-like natural beauty and friendly atmosphere.

... at the Soyuzivka resort

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - Tabir Ptashat was held again at Soyuzivka this year. Seen above during the second tour of the day camp for preschoolers is one of the beloved camp activities: storytelling. The camp, held July 2-8, was attended by 33 girls and 20 boys from such far-flung states as California, Arizona, Florida, Illinois and Ohio, and even from the province of Ontario in Canada. The director of the Tabir Ptashat's second tour was Tunia Bilyk-Shatynski. The first tour of the camp, directed by Daria Temnycky, attracted 53 campers from June 25 through July 2. Tabir Ptashat is organized annually at the Ukrainian National Association resort by the Pershi Stezhi sorority of the Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization.

Ukraine Day held at Florida library

by Tatiana Halyna Lotocky
(as told to Mama)

COOPER CITY, Fla. - Every Wednesday this summer my two little sisters, Sonya and Taisa, have been going to the Davie/Cooper City public library branch for Broward County Library's 2000 Florida Youth Program. This year it's called "Your Passport to the World."

The program is for little kids age 3 to 5. On Wednesdays they visited countries like Norway, Italy, Africa and Mexico. July 19 was "Ukraine" Day.

We had to get dressed in our Ukrainian costumes early in the morning so we wouldn't be late.

First, they knocked on a toy bumblee's hive and said a poem. Then, Arlene Garcia (in charge of Youth Services) read "The Mitten," a Ukrainian folk tale. We listened to "The Mosquito and the Fly" on a cassette tape, while Ms. Garcia held the book for all to see. Then everyone did the "Hokey Pokey" to Ron Cahute's "Booryak" CD.

By this time my vinok was hurting my head!

Finally, it was our turn to dance. We danced the "Honyviter," which is a Ukrainian folk dance. It's fast and it has many steps. It's fun to do. Everyone clapped. Then Mama said I could take my vinok off of my ears. I felt better!

My aunt Donna Maksymowich-Waskiewicz brought wooden "pysanky" so the kids wouldn't break the real ones. Everyone got to touch them.

Janet Raymond is in charge of the crafts the children make at the end of the day. This time the little children made paper "pysanky" with paper, glitter, sequins, glue, and crayons. I helped Sonya, who is 2.

Since everyone liked our dance so much, they asked us to do it a second time!

Assumption School students help Ukraine

PERTH AMBOY, N.J. - At the end of the 1999-2000 school year, the Ukrainian Assumption School raised nearly $1,250 for the families of miners killed in Krasnodon, Ukraine. The effort began in Miroslava Moriak's fifth grade, where students collected $102. At a special liturgy and prayer service an additional $565 was raised. The school's Glee Club, under the direction of Melanie Lawrence, raised more than $400 during its spring concert. As well, the students collected about 2,000 pounds of toys and clothing for kids in Ukraine. Seen above (from left) with a shipment are: Benjamin Ruiz, Bryce Houser, Nina Gera, Caitlin O'Neill, Dana Leitauser, Jeremy Rosa and Christine Iacuzio, with Sister Vladimyra Leskin, principal.

Mishanyna

September traditionally is a month characterized by a flurry of activities, so our Mishanyna this month lists words that remind us of things related to the beginning of the school year. Good luck to all of our readers during this year. (We hope you will write to UKELODEON when you get a chance...)

This September is different, though, as Australia hosts the Summer Olympic games. That's why Mishanyna also includes words related to the Olympics. (Are you planning to watch the sports competitions with your parents?)

backpack, books, bronze, champion, down under, games, gold, Labor Day, medal, Olympic, pen, pencil, reading, ruler, school, September, silver, sport, summer.

Mykola Myshka goes to the Olympics

Mykola Myshka is visiting his friend Katya-roo, who is participating in this year's Olympic Games in the javelin.

Do you know where the Games are being held? Is this the first, second or third time that Ukraine is participating in the Summer Olympics with its own independent team?

Ask your parents. See if they know the answers!

Hint: The first answer may be seen in the stamp above. As for the second answer, check out the "Focus on Philately" column published in last week's issue of The Ukrainian Weekly.

Letter to Mykola Myshka

Mykola Myshka received the following answer to the question he posed in the August issue of UKELODEON.

Dear Mykola:

The reason that you wave your Ukrainian flag is because it is Ukrainian Independence Day, which is celebrated on August 24.

Orest Pyndus, age 4 1/2, Newark, N.J.

OUR NEXT ISSUE:

UKELODEON is published on the second Sunday of every month. To make it into our next issue, dated October 8, please send in your materials by September 29. (Please include a daytime phone number.)

Send in your articles, letters, photos, etc. to: The Ukrainian Weekly, UKELODEON, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, N.J., 07054; telephone, (973) 292-9800; fax, (973) 644-9510; e-mail, [email protected].

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