ELLENVILLE, N.Y. – In mid-September, the students and faculty of St. George Academy (SGA) embarked on the first annual SGA retreat. The retreat took place on September 13-15 on the grounds of the Ukrainian American Youth Association (known as “oselia”) in Ellenville, N.Y., located at the base of the beautiful Catskill Mountains.
The purpose of the retreat was to give students the opportunity to get to know each other and their faculty better, to forge lasting bonds and to experience a different environment, where they could learn new things and create lasting memories.
Father Ivan Kaszczak speaks with St. George Academy students.
The students enjoyed a variety of activities during their stay, including sports, swimming, hiking, singing, dancing and making new friends. Students also had the unique opportunity to meet with the Rev. Dr. Kaszczak, pastor of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in nearby Kerhonkson, N.Y., who led an inspirational and thought-provoking discussion with the students.
The students also engaged in team-building activities. In one activity led by Lileya Wasylko, SGA’s new English teacher, students were placed into groups of four and asked to create standing structures with only marshmallows, straws and cups. The results were amazing!
All of the students and faculty had a wonderful experience at the oselia. Principal Andrij Stasiw, the staff at oselia and the Ukrainian American Youth Association made this incredible experience possible.
Students and faculty head upstate by bus.