Wondering what camp to attend this summer? Consider Tennis Camp at the rustic Soyuzivka Heritage Center in Kerhonkson, N.Y., a mecca for Ukrainian camps in the beautiful Shawangunk Mountains of upstate New York, that is being held June 19-30.
Children come here from all over the United States, some from Canada, and even Ukraine in recent years. Their parents know they will be well taken care of and will learn some valuable skills in playing tennis and getting along with each other as well. The campers also come to experience what we like to call “the magic of Soyuzivka,” a special place for Ukrainian Americans and Ukrainian culture.
The overnight camp, known for its experience and dedication, has been attracting youngsters, age 10-18, for 50 years and now accepts participants to attend as day campers, meaning those now staying at Camp Lviv.
What is so 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 United States Tennis Association (USTA) player, teacher, organizer and captain of the 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 campers adjust and feel at home. Another teacher by profession, Petrusia Sawchak, coordinates activities. The beautiful Ukrainian heritage is always emphasized, and campers are encouraged to bring their Ukrainian embroidered shirts for Soyuzivka’s Hutsul Night.
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 also includes the importance of sportsmanship and tennis etiquette. On courts, the campers are grouped according to ability in the specific skill being taught. The first week is devoted to daily instruction in tennis, and the second week concludes with a tournament for the campers, allowing them to put to use what they have learned.
Although the emphasis is always on tennis, there are many off-court activities, such as swimming in Soyuzivka’s pool, playing soccer or volleyball after sessions, enjoying games, watching movies, or dancing to the campers’ own music or Soyuzivka’s live “zabava” band.
Campers may also participate in the USCAK East Tournament held on the weekend of June 25-26, which gives them the opportunity to compete against other players. (USCAK is the Ukrainian-based acronym for the Ukrainian Sports Federation of the U.S.A. and Canada.)
To conclude the camp, there is a gala banquet at which campers get dressed up and are treated to a special dinner. They receive their certificates, and trophies are awarded to tournament winners. The coveted “Best Camper” awards are awarded to boys and girls for their exemplary behavior and over-all attitude both on and off courts. A dance follows the program.
For Soyuzivka Tennis Camp registration and more information, please call Soyuzivka at 845-626-5641 or visit its website at www.soyuzivka.com. A suggestion: make your reservation soon to guarantee your place at the camp.