Tennis Camp celebrates its 39th year at Soyuzivka estate (07/30/06)

Tennis Camp celebrates its 39th year at Soyuzivka estate

by Petrusia Sawchak

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - Thirty youngsters, ages 10 to 16, came to tennis camp this year from 10 different states and Canada. More than half were repeaters from last year and some were second-generation campers like Greg Serba of New Jersey, Victoria Kuritza of Illinois and George Foty of Ontario, whose parents attended Tennis Camp years ago.

The director of Tennis Camp since its inception is George Sawchak, United States Tennis Association (USTA) ranked player, teacher, organizer and captain of the Middle States team that competes with other USTA sections.

Tennis instruction this year was given by Mr. Sawchak and daughter Tetiana Louer, also an accomplished former collegiate tennis player, USCAK's women's champion and instructor of the National Junior Tennis League (NJTL) in Philadelphia.

Assisting them were counselors Adam Ogonowski, Alyssa Kowcz and Tatyana Romanyuk. The dorm supervisor was Olya Czerkas who also assisted with off-court activities along with Petrusia Sawchak; both are teachers by profession.

As Mr. Sawchak repeated throughout the two weeks, "The main focus is tennis."

Youngsters received intensive tennis instruction at various sessions during the day that developed and stressed correct form, proper strokes and game strategy and the importance of good sportsmanship. The daily regimen always began with calisthenics. The last few days of camp was devoted to tournament play, where the campers put to use what they had learned.

Off-court activities included swimming in Soyuzivka's Olympic-sized pool, a barbecue party, movies, charades, dances and enjoying Hutsul Night, a special treat arranged by the Soyuzivka manager, Nestor Paslawsky. During the World Cup all the campers gathered and cheered together in the Main House as they watched Ukraine eek out Switzerland in a shoot-out. It was a day to remember!

Despite differences in age, the campers bonded with each other and had a terrific time. Some even cried when it was time to go home.

Many of the campers also participated and won in the USCAK-East Tennis Tournament held on the weekend of July 1-2. The winner in three events, Dennis Chorny, was a former tennis camper many years ago. In fact, both he and his brother Kornylo had some of their first lessons at Soyuzivka.

A very special banquet was held on the last Thursday night to award the tournament winners and announce the Best Camper awards. This year the camp was greatly honored by the presence of UNA President, Stefan Kaczaraj, who spoke about the Ukrainian National Association and Soyuzivka.

One camper, Mark Watson, was heard saying, "Is he really the president of UNA, and he came to talk to kids?"

After opening remarks Mr. Sawchak and Mrs. Louer distributed the camp certificates and presented trophies to the tournament winners:

Girls A Group: first place, Ada Kowcz; second place, Lydia Kowinko, and third place, Andrea Kusina.

Girls B Group: first place, Talia Hryhorowych; second place, Miss Kuritza; and third place, Alexia Blackhurst.

Boys A Group: first place, Daniel Tylawsky; second place, Nick Nalywayko; and third place, Adrian Burke.

Boys B Group: first place, Alex Puhalla; second place, Adrian Ripeckyj; and third place, Maxym Kurgansky.

The Mixed-Up Doubles winners were Mr. Serba and Serhij Moshak, who received water jugs courtesy of the Soyuzivka management.

Unanimously selected by the entire staff, the coveted Best Camper Awards were given to Miss Kuritza, Miss Kowcz, Mr. Serba and Mr. Tylawsky for their exemplary behavior and attitude both on and off the tennis courts.

A note of levity was added by Mrs. Czerkas and counselors who gave certificates based on funny attributes to all the campers. Mr. Sawchak concluded the banquet by thanking the staff and campers for their participation in this year's Tennis Camp and inviting everyone to continue playing tennis and return again next year.

Special thanks were also given to Soyuzivka's manager for his considerations and Chef Andrij Sonevytsky for his nutritious and tasty meals. After the formalities campers watched a slide show of photos from the camp and danced until midnight.

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