UKELODEON: For The Next Generation (08/10/03)

UKELODEON

For The Next Generation

Chemney Camp offers fun and adventures for the youngest campers

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - Once again at the Ukrainian National Association resort of Soyuzivka, children of Ukrainian heritage gathered to participate in the annual Chemney Camp. Although there are many changes taking place at Soyuzivka, Chemney Camp remains a Soyuzivka tradition because of the support of Soyuzivka's new manager, Nestor Paslawsky, and Sonia Semanyshyn. Though the collie Chemney passed away late last summer, the spirit of this camp named in his honor as a loyal friend and mascot for all the children at Soyuzivka lives on. This summer Chemney Camp took place during the weeks of July 13 and July 20, with close to 70 children participating. The theme for the camp was Pan Onufree's Farm from the famous "Tsyboolya" tape. The participants for the week were divided into groups by age, and each group of children had one of the animals as their mascot. During the week the children participated in many activities, which not only taught them about their Ukrainian heritage, but also encouraged them to develop their Ukrainian language skills.

The children learned Ukrainian songs with Nadia Kruchowy the first week and Olya Czerkas the second week. They created many wonderful projects with Natalka Junas and Tania Blahitka. One of the many crafts they made were Ukrainian vinky (wreaths) for the girls and wooden toportsi for the boys. They also spent time with Andrew Oprysko, learning the beginning steps for Ukrainian dancing. Those familiar with the basic steps were excited to practice the more difficult and intricate steps. The children heard traditional Ukrainian tales from Lesia Kuch the first week and Bohdana Puzyk the second week.

Rounding out the morning activities were games based on learning and reinforcing the Ukrainian language. These activities were conducted by Mrs. Puzyk the first week and Ms. Blahitka the second. The entire program was geared toward creating an environment of fun and adventure, while imparting knowledge about the Ukrainian culture and heritage.

Themed activities included International Day, at which the children learned and played various American and Ukrainian games; Carnival at Veselka, which tested skill and luck; Easter at Soyuzivka, where the children learned about the art of pysanky and played a variety of egg games. (The "egg-speriment" was a favorite).

All of the children and their families went on a field trip to Kelder Farms, where everyone had the opportunity to milk a cow, take a hayride and pick blueberries. The children were encouraged to find their animal mascots and learn more about them. A luau and ice cream sundae party were held on Friday.

Evening activities included a Pajama Party/Movie night. On Wednesday evening the campers welcomed the guests at "Babtsia's Feast," while on Thursday everyone was invited to join children's camp in the weekly bonfire (vatra) at which the singing of traditional Ukrainian campfire songs could be heard.

The camp's closing ceremonies took place during Odesa Night. The program featured Pan Onufree's farm with each group representing their mascot, singing songs and demonstrating the dances they learned. The ceremonies ended with a traditional Ukrainian camp good-bye song and everyone (especially the parents) promising to return next year - same time, same place - for more fun and adventures.

Many thanks were expressed to the management of Soyuzivka for their support and foresight in offering this camp to the Ukrainian community; to all of the counselors, Miss Blahitka, Mrs. Czerkas, Mrs. Junas, Mrs. Kuch, Mrs. Kruchowy, Mr. Oprysko and Mrs. Puzyk, all of whom made this camp exciting and dedicated their vacation time to come to Soyuzivka and spend it with the children.

Very special thanks were offered to the parents and grandparents who brought their children to Chemney Camp where their many memories of good times at Soyuzivka will begin.

"Tabir Ptashat" loves Soyuzivka

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - The Soyuzivka resort of the Ukrainian National Association was taken over by "ptashata" (little birds), as the pre-schoolers who participate in Plast activities are known, from June 22 to July 6.

During that time, two tours of the unique "Tabir Ptashat" day camp organized by the Pershi Stezhi sorority of Plast were held. Fifty-nine kids participated in the first tour, which was directed by Motria Boyko Watters, with Neonila Sochan serving as administrator. Forty-eight other youngsters between the ages of 4 and 6 attended the second week's day camp, which was directed by Zirka Kolomayets, with administrator Oksana Komanowsky.

Also key to the success of both weeks of the 2003 camps were the physicians who volunteered their services to care for the "ptashata," Dr. Victor Gorloff and Dr. Catherine Panchenko Bush, and the many parents who served as counselors and assistants.

The little campers enjoyed sing-alongs, story time, sports, games, hiking, arts and crafts, bonfires and other activities geared toward preschoolers.

Their parents were so pleased with the unique program at Soyuzivka that both camps purchased bricks for Soyuzivka's Memory Lane. The commemorative bricks, which are being sold as a fund-raiser for $250 each, are to be installed around the gazebo located near the entrance to the resort's Main House.

Mishanyna

To solve this month's Mishanyna, search in the grid for the capitalized words in the text about Ukraine's Independence Day - excerpted from The Ukrainian Weekly's story about what occurred on that historic day, August 24, 1991.

In an overwhelming VOTE, the Parliament of Ukraine declared the republic's independence from the SOVIET UNION on AUGUST 24 and in the days that followed began to take its first STEPS toward building an independent democratic state. The vote for INDEPENDENCE came as a big SURPRISE to the majority of citizens of this NATION of 52 million.

During the tense 11-hour extraordinary SESSION the heated DEBATE focused on the behavior of parliamentary, government and COMMUNIST Party leaders during the failed COUP of August 19-21 in Moscow.

As thousands of flag-waving Ukrainians outside chanted "independence," the debate inside the hall lasted for hours. At 5:55 p.m., the Parliament voted 321 to 2, with 6 abstentions, out of 360, for the ACT of DECLARATION of the Independence of Ukraine. The Parliament also voted for a resolution declaring Ukraine an independent, democratic STATE, effective immediately, and calling for a REFERENDUM (a nationwide vote by the people) on December 1.

In the final moments of the HISTORIC session, which ended at about 9 p.m., a large blue-and-yellow Ukrainian FLAG was carried into the session hall by democratic deputies and draped over the Parliament chairman's PODIUM. The deputies left the session hall singing the Ukrainian NATIONAL ANTHEM and filed outside before the delirious CROWD for a RALLY.

CHECK IT OUT: In the centerfold of this issue, read about the 50th anniversary celebrations of Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization's Vovcha Tropa campground.

OUR NEXT ISSUE: UKELODEON is published on the second Sunday of every month. To make it into our next issue, dated September 14, please send in your materials by September 5.

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UKELODEON - The Ukrainian Weekly
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Parsippany, NJ 07054
fax, (973) 644-9510
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