Ukrainian Democratic Youth Organization holds 42nd annual summer camp (08/22/04)

Ukrainian Democratic Youth Organization holds 42nd annual summer camp

by Taras Konowal

LONDON, Ontario - The Ukrainian Democratic Youth Organization (ODUM) held its 42nd annual Recreational Camp here at the Ukraina resort. This was the 28th year that the camp was held at this location. The camp was attended by 76 children from the United States and Canada who ranged in age from 6 to 14.

The Ukraina resort is situated on 110 rolling acres in rural London. When the camp was built in 1976 a branch of the Thames River that winds through the property was dammed up to create a small lake. The kids enjoyed daily visits to the river to fish, boat and explore.

This 42nd annual ODUM summer camp was dedicated to the 190th anniversary of the birth of Taras Shevchenko. Presentations were held for all of the campers to teach them about the legacy that Shevchenko left. The kids were taught songs that featured lyrics written by Shevchenko, such as "Sadok Vyshnevyi," "Vziav By Ya Banduru" and "Yakby Meni Cherevyky."

The camp attendees were divided up into three girls' groups and three boys' groups. The girls groups were called "Chervoni Maky," "Nezabudky" and "Hutsulski Divchata." The boys' groups were "Malenki Liudy," "Zoloti Koroli" and "Chorni Lytsari."

The activities of the camp were extremely well planned and directed during both weeks by Victor Szwez, his assistant Nata Reidy, and two senior counselors, Matt Shevchenko and Nadya Reidy.

The campers were kept busy and highly entertained throughout the two weeks with activities such as the Olympiada, which lasted for a week and included events such as kick ball, a fishing derby, a pudding eating contest, relay races, an egg toss and many more great events.

The two weeks also included the game of capture the flag, Pajama Day, Wacky Day and Casino Night; and dances were held each week. During week one, the theme of the zabava was Hawaii; the second week's zabava was preceded by weddings that were held at one of the resort's gazebos. Those brave enough to enter the "wedding chapel" went to the zabava as a couple.

On Thursday of the second week an ODUM carnival was held on the grounds that included a Lazer Maze Bouncer, Dunk Tank for the camp directors, minature golf, massage therapy, a water balloon toss contest and the famous Ukraina water slide. The kids were treated to sno-cones and popcorn throughout the festivities.

The evening meals were kept lively with themes such as "Date Night" when each camper had an escort for dinner. At the Monks' Dinner the campers could not talk during the meal, and during the Asian Dinner all the campers took their shoes off at the door, sat on the ground around lowered tables lit with hand-made lanterns and ate great Asian food with chopsticks.

The state-of-the-art playground was used daily by the younger age groups. They developed their own games and group activities incorporating all of the playground equipment. During the second week of camp the kids enjoyed a lip sync contest that had each group prepare a song that involved all of its members. The contest was won by two of the boys' counselors, Anton Gugliotta and Slavko Lysyk.

Two bonfires were built by the counselors and oldest boys' group. The first week's reached a height of 27 feet and had 23 levels. This was outdone by the final bonfire, which was 36 feet tall and had 32 levels. During the final vatra the children of the camp sang songs they learned during camp accompanied on the accordion by Alex Fesiak, who leads the popular Canadian musical group Dunai. Each group performed two skits during the vatra.

The camp's closing ceremonies occurred on Saturday, July 24, with the lowering of the Ukrainian, American, Canadian and ODUM flags. Mr. Szwez gave his closing statement, summarizing the time spent together building relationships that will last a lifetime, wishing all the campers a great year, and expressing his ancitipation that they would all be back next summer.

Dr. George Lysyk, president of the ODUM executive board, addressed the campers and their parents during the closing ceremonies underlining the great work of the staff in directing such a successful camp. He also mentioned that the resort facilities will have to be expanded prior to next years camp due to the increasing attendance over the last three years. The camp was closed with all of the campers, counselors and komanda forming a circle and singing "Vzhe nadkhodyt chas proschiatys."

The comment most often heard from campers after the closing ceremonies was "Why can't camp be longer than two weeks?"

ODUM is having its annual "Zustrich," (meet) over Labor Day weekend at the Ukraina resort, on September 4-5. The next ODUM camp will be held in suburban Chicago over Thanksgiving weekend.

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