KERHONKSON, N.Y. – On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Soyuzivka Tennis Camp, more than 60 former campers, counselors, and friends gathered at the Soyuzivka Heritage Center during the weekend of October 1-2. Those who attended the camp came to reminisce about the good times they had and the friendships they made, as well as to honor those who made it possible.
The highlight of the festivities was the banquet, which included a cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres, held on Saturday night. The atmosphere was happy, with smiling faces all around as people greeted each other with hugs and kisses.
Commencing the program, Petrusia Sawchak talked about how the camp began, what it was like and how it evolved throughout the years. It started in 1967 when a group of parents vacationing at Soyuzivka before the Labor Day weekend 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 national tennis tournament being held at that time by the Ukrainian Sports Federation of the U.S.A. and Canada and the Carpathian Ski Club. He, in turn, asked George Sawchak, a ranked U.S. Tennis Association Middle States player and organizer, to join him in teaching the children.
When this became a popular activity, Walter Kwas, general manager of Soyuzivka, made it an overnight two-week tennis camp. In the early days, campers stayed in various buildings at Soyuzivka. Later the camp was moved to the camp site known as Lviv and took place at the end of the school year in June.
Messrs. Snylyk and Sawchak worked many years together as camp directors. They were driven by their strong passion for tennis, professionalism, and their love of being with children and teaching them how to play the game. They also instilled in them values that athletics encourages, like good sportsmanship.
Ms. Sawchak continued by describing some interesting facts about the camp. The campers came from at least 15 different states, as well as Canada, Venezuela, Argentina, Poland and Ukraine in recent years. The numbers attending camp varied from 30-50 to 90-100 in the heyday of the 1980s. In recent years, day campers below age 10, the siblings of youngsters who were going to “Tabir Ptashat,” were added at the request of parents.
The speaker emphasized that many campers continued to return for many years, and some had parents who attended camp as well. “Some came this evening. This is the sign of a successful camp,” she said.
Mr. Snylyk passed away suddenly in 2002 and was sorely missed by all who knew him. Then Olya Czerkas became the supervisor of Lviv, but she preferred the name “Camp Mom.” Ms. Sawchak said she also helped the youngsters feel cared for and welcome.
Although the camp changed a little over the years, some things stayed the same. The campers still bonded with each other and enjoyed the same activities, whether playing tennis or participating in off-court activities such as dancing, swimming and other sports.
After dinner, the program continued with several more speakers. Eugene Serba, one of the campers during the early years, now an auditor for the Ukrainian National Association (UNA), shared his wonderful memories. With him was his son Greg, who was also at camp for four years as camper and then four years as counselor.
Mr. Serba shared UNA President Stefan Kaczaraj’s’s best wishes on behalf of the UNA General Assembly with Mr. Sawchak, who had been honored with a plaque for 50 years of service and dedication to the Soyuzivka Tennis Camp at the camp’s farewell banquet in June.
He was followed by other speakers. Mrs. Czerkas presented her moving poem about the camp, which showed her affection for the campers. Andrij Charchalis, former camper and counselor, and the father of two campers, expressed his appreciation to Mr. Sawchak for his devotion to the camp with several interesting anecdotes. Another speaker who spoke warmly about his experiences was Roman Rakoczy, a long-time friend and tennis instructor at some of the camps. A member of the USCAK Tennis Committee, Ivan Durbak, gave his greetings and congratulations, speaking also on behalf of the Soyuzivka tennis tournament community
Stefko Drabyk, assistant manager of Soyuzivka, presented Soyuzivka Manager Nestor Paslawsky’s congratulatory letter and announced that the Soyuzivka Heritage Center was establishing a tennis scholarship for a worthy youngster to attend camp.
As a special treat, Don Kopach presented a slideshow of photographs of campers from different years all set to great music, which was very much enjoyed by all. Continuing on this lighter note, the campers sang a song about the camp titled “Take Me Home To Soyuzivka,” with lyrics by campers Dan Tylawsky, Adrian Burke and Alex Dale, who also accompanied on guitar. The music was from John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Road.”
After all the toasts, Mr. Sawchak thanked everyone for attending this 50th Soyuzivka Tennis Camp Celebration/Reunion and for honoring his part in it. He was very humble and kept saying that he was not deserving of all the praise. Of course, everyone knew otherwise.
The entire Soyuzivka staff was thanked for their support and help in making this event truly memorable and beautiful, especially Office Manager Sonia Semanyszyn, who made sure everything was in order. Also thanked were Leda Sawchak Kopach, Don Kopach, and Tania Sawchak for their initiative, planning and execution.
After the official festivities, no one left. They stayed, danced and enjoyed each other’s company, reliving the past and sharing the present. “The Magic of Soyuzivka” was evident, and that’s why it is so loved.