Zolota Bulava camp in Quebec hones Plast youths' leadership skills (10/14/01)

Zolota Bulava camp in Quebec hones Plast youths' leadership skills

by Andry Monczak

MONTREAL - Zolota Bulava, a leadership training program conducted under the auspices of the Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization, is in its 28th year of existence since its founding in Canada.

Held annually in Ukraine since 1993 and biennially at the Baturyn campground outside Montreal, Zolota Bulava (ZB) strives to give teens age 14-16 an opportunity to develop the skills and qualities needed to handle the responsibilities and challenges of leadership, qualities which should prove useful throughout their lives, whether it be in Plast, school, community organizations or future careers.

Zolota Bulava began in Canada in 1973, filling a particularly important need in the overall Plast program. In the mid-1980s the program was opened to Plast teens from all of North America. And, since Ukraine's independence in 1991, the program has proved to be of particular relevance for the rebirth and development of Plast in Ukraine.

ZB is based on the concept of leadership by example, placing demands on both the counselors and participants. To cultivate organizational and leadership qualities in teens, camp activities are not planned by the counselors but by the participants themselves.

The counselors set the stage with interactive sessions on organizing, planning and leadership, as well as practical skills and self-discipline. The participants apply what they have learned by planning and executing a variety of activities on their own initiative. The emphasis is on cooperation, self-improvement and self-discipline.

ZB is structured to provide a low ratio of participants to counselors, around 5:1, and aims for a group of some 30 teens in each sub-camp comprising boys and girls. Admission is selective, based on a multi-faceted application process.

The sub-camps are broken down into troops (hurtky), each with their own counselor. Each group is assigned and is responsible for specific activities, which it has to plan, organize and then carry out with camp participants as a whole. Participants are evaluated on their performance as well as general conduct and attitude by the counselors. The small group format allows for interaction, development of ideas and honing of leadership and planning skills. Participants derive great satisfaction in being able to successfully carry out such undertakings.

Apart from self-sufficiency in cooking, among activities organized by participants at this year's camp were a full-day hike to nearby Mount PeeWee, a test of scouting skills, a sports tournament, as well as debates on Ukrainian issues and a staged celebration of the 10th anniversary of Ukraine's independence.

Thus, in addition to giving youth the opportunity to meet other teens and make new friends in beautiful natural surroundings, ZB strives to foster the development of cooperation and leadership skills and, in the process, build confidence to accept new challenges.

In the context of the program, participants learn that a leader is not a leader by virtue of being appointed to a given position, but rather that a leader can be anyone who, given good skills, hard work and a positive outlook, earns the respect of his peers.

Going beyond the parameters of the program, ZB offers an opportunity for participants to apply what they have learned to their regular Plast activities throughout the year as well as in everyday and community life.

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