Plast day camp brings 119 children age 4-6 to Soyuzivka (07/25/04)

Plast day camp brings 119 children age 4-6 to Soyuzivka

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - For 16 years now the Plast sorority Pershi Stezhi has been organizing "Tabir Ptashat," a Ukrainian-language day camp affiliated with Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization, here at the Ukrainian National Association resort Soyuzivka.

This year the camp, which is geared toward children between the ages of 4 and 6, had two one-week sessions: the first (June 27-July 4) had 69 campers - a record number; the second (July 4-11) had 50 participants.

As usual, these youngest campers flocked to Soyuzivka with their parents, plus siblings, as well as grandparents and other relatives. Thus, the resort was at full capacity and humming.

Petrusia Paslawsky directed the first session with the assistance of 11 troop leaders and 21 additional counselors/volunteers, all of whom are parents of the children participating in the camp. Neonila Sochan, the founder of "Tabir Ptashat," was camp administrator.

The camp program included the traditional activities for "ptashata" (as the little campers are known) - storytelling, games, arts and crafts, singing, nature hikes, folk dancing and the like - all conducted in the Ukrainian language with the ultimate goal of introducing the children to their Ukrainian heritage.

At the conclusion of the weeklong camp, the children, dressed in embroidered Ukrainian blouses and shirts, performed a special program of Ukrainian songs and dances in the Veselka auditorium.

Immediately afterwards, the children and the camp's leaders took a group photo and the traditional "Tabir Ptashat" closing ceremony was held. In attendance was UNA Treasurer Roma Lisovich, who briefly addressed the gathering.

During the second session of "Tabir Ptashat," a similar program was directed by Katria Sos-Hayda, along with 12 troop leaders, 13 counselors and camp administrator Theresa Ben.

The camp's theme was "Our Earth," and the majority of the week's activities were related to that topic. Campers also worked on creating a camp scrapbook focusing on their troops, each of which, in keeping with "Tabir Ptashat" tradition, was named for a bird. On the final evening of camp all enjoyed a bonfire featuring a distinctive program related to the camp's activities, followed by the closing ceremonies.

The U.S. National Plast Command's director of "novatstvo" (the youngest Plast members), Ulana Slabicky, paid a visit to the "ptashata" during the camp's second session.

Another special visitor to week 2 of "Tabir Ptashat" was Ukrainian National Association President Stefan Kaczaraj, who welcomed the campers and their families at the association's resort. During the UNA chief executive's visit, as an expression of their deep appreciation and love for this unique family resort, "Tabir Ptashat" administrators presented a check for $500 earmarked for the purchase of two commemorative bricks in support of Soyuzivka's renaissance.

"Tabir Ptashat" has been held annually at Soyuzivka since 1989, when the camp was founded. During that first year, the camp held only one weeklong session, with 58 children attending. The idea for the camp came from Mrs. Sochan, who was then the leader of the Pershi Stezhi. She dubbed her concept "A Grandma's Project" and declared the camp a gift to Plast on the occasion of the sorority's 40th anniversary. "Tabir Ptashat" has been going strong ever since, quickly expanding to two sessions per year to meet the demand of parents who wish to enroll their children in its program.

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