Plast daycamp for preschoolers attracts 60 children to Soyuzivka

by Natalka Bilash

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - This year's "Tabir Ptashat," a Plast daycamp for children age 4-6, organized by the Pershi Stezhi Plast sorority, took place at Soyuzivka in two groups.

The first group's camp took place from June 24 through July 1 and was under the direction of Borislaw Bilash of New Jersey. The camp had 60 children and 29 counselors and assistants.

In order to prepare for Tabir Ptashat, each camper received a coloring book called "Uchena Papuha" (The Clever Parrot), written by Natalia and Borislaw Bilash and illustrated by Zenia Nakonechny-Olesnyckyj. This book was based on a story written by Roman Zawadowych. The book gave each camper an insight into the language skills that would be expected from the campers and parents participating in the camp.

The theme of this year's camp was "Learn About Others, Remember Your Own." Every group of children learned about one of the continents of the world - its people, culture, plants and animals - and chose as its group mascot one of the birds of that continent.

Morning activities included individual group meetings, singing, games, and arts and crafts. In the afternoon the children learned Ukrainian dancing, an activity conducted in the early years of Tabir Ptashat and that was introduced this year. Following the dancing, all the campers took part in a special activity. On Wednesday the campers hiked to the Green Pool at Soyuzivka, located en route to the waterfalls, and on Thursday, took part in a camp bonfire that took place after dinner.

A fabulous program took place on Saturday, the last day of camp. The first part of the program included all the counselors in full costumes in the roles of various birds of different continents acting out the story of "Uchena Papuha." The campers performed various Ukrainian dances, which were taught during the week by Ivanka Iwaskiw, Roma Odulak and Hrytz Bedyk.

After the concert, the children, their parents and guests watched a slide show of the week's camp events. Next the children gathered for a Multicultural Festival, where all the groups presented foods of their continent, as well as the arts and crafts they made during the week. The closing ceremonies followed with the participation of the founder of Tabir Ptashat, Neonila Sochan of the Pershi Stezhi sorority, who served as camp administrator, and Ukrainian National Association Advisor Stephanie Hawryluk.

Photos by Borislaw Bilash, Anya Hnateyko and Zenia Nakonechny-Olesnyckyj.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, July 29, 2001, No. 30, Vol. LXIX

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