KERHONKSON, N.Y. – Former campers, counselors and friends of the Soyuzivka Tennis Camp are invited to gather at the Soyuzivka Heritage Center to celebrate 50 years of Soyuzivka Tennis Camp on October 1. They will reminisce about past tennis camp experiences and fun times, and honor the camp that has not missed a year since its founding.
It will be a special time to reflect on “going to tennis camp at Soyuzivka” – a magical place where seeds of memories were planted year after year to grow and flourish for a lifetime. This was the place where many came to spend two weeks in the rustic charm of Soyuzivka, making friends and learning the game of tennis. Now is the time to make reservations at Soyuzivka and rekindle old friendships.
For the sake of history, this is how it all started. Soyuzivka, nestled in the beautiful mountains of upstate New York, was founded in the mid-1950s; in those days, many tennis enthusiasts visited the resort for weeks before the Labor Day tennis tournament to practice and enjoy Soyuzivka’s amenities.
In 1967, the Soyuzivka Tennis Camp was born when some guests staying at Soyuzivka asked Zenon Snylyk, editor of The Ukrainian Weekly, three-time Olympic soccer player and avid tennis player, if he could prepare their children for the Labor Day tournaments. Mr. Snylyk, in turn, invited George Sawchak, United States Tennis Association (USTA) player in the Middle States and an avid organizer and player in Soyuzivka’s tennis tournaments, to join him in instructing the group.
A few years later, as the popularity of the instruction increased, Walter Kwas, general manager of Soyuzivka, established the Soyuzivka Tennis Camp. The time and duration of the camp evolved over time. During the heyday of the camp in the 1980s, the number of campers exceeded more than 100. Campers stayed in various Soyuzivka buildings in those days. The dozens of counselors over the years were always former campers who returned to share their skills.
Festivities marking the camp’s 50th year will take place on Saturday, October 1, beginning with social tennis in the morning and afternoon. On Friday night, there will be a meet and greet at the Trembita Lounge. On Saturday, during lunch, there will be time to continue to mingle with old friends, and the celebration begins at 5 p.m. with cocktails and dinner at 6 p.m. Bring your stories and photos to share. Better yet, organizers suggest that reunion participants e-mail Leda Sawchak Kopach with photos. Any questions may be directed to [email protected].
Cost for the one hour open bar and dinner is $50 per person. Room reservations may be made by calling Soyuzivka at 845-626-5641 and mentioning Tennis Camp. Those planning to attend should register by September 20.