Katya Bis
Participants of the 2014 Tennis Camp.
KERHONKSON, N.Y. – If you’re a young tennis player wanting to improve your skills, or someone who wants to learn how to play tennis properly, come to the Soyuzivka Tennis Camp held from June 21 to July 2 at the Soyuzivka Heritage Center located on the beautiful Shawangunk Mountain Ridge in upstate New York.
Although the concentration is always on tennis, there are many off-court activities, including swimming in Soyuzivka’s pool, playing soccer or volleyball after sessions, enjoying games, watching movies or dancing both to the campers’ own music or Soyuzivka’s live zabava band. The campers bond, often forming lifelong friendships. They go home feeling accomplished and invigorated. Parents can be assured that their children are well taken care of and made to feel happy in a caring supervised environment.
The overnight tennis camp, known for its experience and dedication, has been attracting youngsters, age 10-18, for 48 years and now also accepts participants to attend as day campers, meaning those not staying at Camp Lviv.
Petrusia Sawchak
Tennis campers practice their serves.
Campers come from all over the United States, as well as from Canada and Ukraine, to experience “the magic of Soyuzivka” – a special place for Ukrainian Americans.
What is special about this camp is the dedicated staff that has developed some very good tennis players over the years and professional 24-hour supervision of the children. The director of the camp from its inception is George (Yurko) Sawchak, a longtime USTA (United States Tennis Association) player, teacher, organizer and captain of Middle States USTA sectional teams. He will be assisted by other professional instructors and counselors. The supervisor of Camp Lviv is Olya Czerkas, a teacher from Florida, who helps the children adjust and feel at home. Another teacher by profession, Petrusia Sawchak, coordinates activities. The beautiful Ukrainian heritage is always emphasized.
The camp has a carefully planned and executed program of tennis instruction stressing specific skills to be learned and developed each day, such as proper stroke techniques and game strategies. This includes more than five hours of intensive tennis practice a day beginning with calisthenics. The importance of sportsmanship and tennis etiquette is emphasized also.
On the courts, campers are divided according to ability. The first week is devoted to daily instruction in tennis, and the second week concludes with a tournament for the campers during which they put to use what they have learned.
Katya Bis
Campers enjoy Soyuzivka’s traditional “Hutsul Vechir.”
Campers may also participate in the USCAK East Tournament held on the weekend of June 27-28, which gives them a wonderful opportunity to compete with other players.
At the end of camp, the young tennis players get dressed up for a gala banquet at which they receive their certificates. Trophies are awarded to tournament winners, and the coveted Best Camper awards are given to boys and girls recognized for their exemplary behavior and over-all attitudes both on and off the courts. A dance follows the program.
For Soyuzivka Tennis Camp registration, call Soyuzivka 845-626-5641 or visit the website at www.soyuzivka.com. A bit of advice: make your reservation soon to guarantee your place at the camp.