400 youths enjoy Plast camps at Vovcha Tropa site in New York state (08/11/02)

400 youths enjoy Plast camps at Vovcha Tropa site in New York state

by Taisa Welhasch

EAST CHATHAM, N.Y. - Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization successfully hosted yet another summer camp season at its Vovcha Tropa campground, where nearly 400 campers ranging in age from 6 to 17 converged.

As in previous years, six camps, divided by age, gender and Plast rank resided on the picturesque property between July 6 and 27. The typical duration of the camps is three weeks, while the oldest campers stay two weeks and the youngest stay one week.

It is tradition for each camp to choose a name and theme, which is then tied the daily program of the camp. The "novachky," girls 7-10 years old, were led on a journey by little "Miniusinka," or Thumbelina, who was in search of the greatest place in the world, the place where she would be happiest.

In order to record her fond memories of the journey she began to sew those images into a quilt. The novachky followed her example and sewed their own quilt full of the things that make them happy every day. Challenging the girls to search "V Svit Za Ochi" (as the camp was called) or "Beyond the Mind's Eye," to recognize their joys and moments of strength, was Head Counselor Lisa Milanytch's intention.

The same age group of boys, the "novaky," declared their campsite to be strictly Viking territory called "Valhalla." The boisterous campers guarded the turf from their Viking ship at the entrance of camp. Head Counselor Taras Ferencevych led them in ritualistic Viking meditations to solidify their brotherhood, strength and bravery. The novaky, along with their counselors, often sported their Viking garb, complete with fur cloaks and horned headpieces.

Both camps went to Foxhill Lake for a relaxing field trip together during the second week of camp, but went on separate excursions during week three. The novachky hopped on a bus to the nearby Shaker Village, while the novaky went exploring in Howe Caverns.

The older Plast members, the "yunaky" and "yunachky" (age 11-17) also ventured outside of Vovcha Tropa for hiking trips in parks throughout the Northeast. The campers were split into beginner, intermediate and advanced groups and climbed Mount Greylock, Whiteface Mountain and Algonquin Peak, respectively.

The yunak named their camp "Zhertva Prometea" (The Sacrifice of Prometheus). The motive behind this theme, according to Head Counselor Danylo Liteplo, "was to inspire the campers to make sacrifices in their daily lives for the good of others."

They did not necessarily have to sacrifice their lives in order for the rest of humanity to have the gift of fire, as did Prometheus, but philanthropy and consideration did prevail among the scouts. They helped organize a trip for Ukrainian American Youth Association (SUM) campers to visit the Plast campground and hoped to make this ambassadorial exchange an annual tradition.

Their female counterparts decided on a camp name and motto of "De Nas Viter Ponese" (Wherever the Wind Takes Us), which in their case was through the cycle of seasons. The yunachky learned that with each season comes changes within oneself and within relationships. A giant wooden windmill constructed by the campers served as their gated entrance and handmade wind chimes lined their outdoor kitchen.

Head Counselor Oresta Zobniw was particularly impressed with the leadership of her oldest campers. "The 'rozviduvachky' [the oldest girls] set good examples for the younger kids who appeared to be very responsive to their mentoring." This oldest group was also involved in planning the SUM exchange.

The veteran 16- and 17-year-old campers, or "super-campers" as they have been named in recent years, focused on combining their talents and available resources to be of service to the other camps. Their trademark was to perform good deeds while leaving no trace of their presence. Appropriately, their camp was named "Tam De Nas Nema" (Where We Haven't Been). This camp is unique because it offers rigorous outdoor activities such as rock climbing, canoeing, hiking and oh yes, even pyrotechnic instruction, in addition to the practice of "leave no trace" camping. Training and gear is provided for the campers through to efforts of their generous and highly skilled counselors, led by Andrij Mykyta.

Finally, the youngest group of campers arrived at the end of the second week. This one-week camp is for children between the ages of 6 and 7. It's designed to be a preparatory camp easing the transition for the children, and perhaps even for the parents. The camp went by the name of "Pryrodna Zabava" (Nature's Party) and was directed by Darka Halaburda Patti.

A new addition to this year's program at Vovcha Tropa was the complementary inter-camp theme of Earth's five elements. The camps represented earth, wind, water, fire and heart. It seemed to be a reflection of the unity and cooperation that pervaded the spirit of Vovcha Tropa this during the summer of 2002.

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