EAST CHATHAM, N.Y. – Last summer, as the last campers waved their good-byes and left the Vovcha Tropa Plast camp for their homes, members of the Regional Camp Commission (known by the Ukrainian-based acronym as OTK) busily worked to tie up all loose ends after another exciting and successful camp season. Then, without missing a beat, OTK commenced its planning for the 2018 summer camp season.
As is customary, OTK held two workshops to debrief last year’s camps and to prepare for the upcming camp season. These were held on December 10, 2017, and March 25 of this year. Protocols for all aspects of camp, ranging from registration, medical affairs, counselor staffing and training to finances, communications, facility maintenance, inventory and boutique, were carefully reviewed, updated and set into action. It is of primary importance for OTK to continually fine-tune its protocols and systems in order to better serve its campers, who are growing up in an ever-changing, fast-paced world.
In addition to all customary camp preparations, OTK has been working on a few new initiatives. First, readers may recall that last year, OTK contracted with Ivy Oaks Analytics to treat the Vovcha Tropa grounds and rid carrier hosts of ticks with EPA-approved natural compounds and insecticides.
The final good night ceremony at Vovcha Tropa’s 2017 camp for first time campers.
Because 2017 was a blockbuster year for ticks, the tick incidents per camper numbers stayed approximately the same as in the previous year. However, we were informed by the New York State Department of Health that camps in the surrounding area, which did not treat their grounds against ticks, had significantly higher numbers of ticks.
Therefore, OTK concluded that the initial treatment in 2017 was indeed successful and has opted to retreat the grounds this year. Areas that require additional treatment have been identified with the aim of further reducing tick populations on the property. As last year, treatments will be completed before the commencement of camps. (For more information on this important initiative, readers may visit www.vovchatropa.org and www.ivyoaksanalytics.com.
Secondly, in an effort to promote sustainability at Vovcha Tropa, OTK made great strides in reducing Styrofoam consumption and in moving to more environmentally responsible table- and drinkware last summer. The plan is to continue this trend and improve upon it as one of OTK’s main objectives is to work in harmony with, and enhance, the beautiful natural habitat that we call home during the camp season.
Moreover, OTK is pleased to announce some exciting changes in the kitchen. First, plans are currently being drawn up to install a steamer in order to provide healthier food options and improve the overall quality of food offered to campers, counselors and staff. In addition, the kitchen will be reconfigured to promote better and more efficient workflow. It is our belief that such additions and tweaks will translate into better tasting and healthier nutrition for all to enjoy.
Finally, Vovcha Tropa is moving forward with plans to erect a new pool, which will enable campers to partake in more water activities for longer periods of time. Naturally, this endeavor requires a tremendous amount of effort and funds. OTK thanks everyone who has already contributed to this campaign for their generosity and support. Those who have not yet had an opportunity to do so, may visit https://www.gofundme.com/VovchaPool.
With the belated coming of spring and Vovcha Tropa’s reawakening from its quiet winter slumber, the anticipation for summer camp is in the air. In no time, Vovcha Tropa will again be home to Plast camaraderie, laughter and adventure. All camp registration deadlines are June 1. We look forward to another great camp season!
Christina Jackiw Brozyna is press secretary of the Regional Camp Commission of Vovcha Tropa.