NEW YORK – The Ukrainian American Youth Association (UAYA, or “CYM” in Ukrainian) is part of a global network of Ukrainian youth organizations that strives to provide opportunities for Ukrainian youth of all ages to affiliate, grow and identify as members of one large Ukrainian community. Thus, an important aspect of UAYA’s mission involves the planning and organization of youth camps at various sites around the country.
The organization offers a variety of camp experiences for children age 2-17 at four different CYM sites (oseli) across the United States: Oselia CYM in Ellenville, N.Y., Oselia Beskyd in Baraboo, Wis., Oselia Kholodnyj Yar in Fillmore, N.Y., and Oselia Khortytsia near Cleveland.
The Huseniata half-day camp for children age 2-3 introduces children to the Ukrainian camp experience and provides early learners a developmentally appropriate Ukrainian discovery experience within a supportive and playful environment. This camp is offered at Oselia CYM in Ellenville and runs in two consecutive week-long sessions. Parents may enroll children for one or two weeks. And it will also be offered for the first time this year at Oselia Beskyd.
The more advanced Sumeniata day camp for children age 4-6 is designed to introduce children to Ukrainian camp traditions, Ukrainian stories and crafts, and nature trail experiences. The camp runs at Oselia CYM in Ellenville during the same two weeks as Huseniata camp, and weeklong Sumeniata camps are also offered at Oselia Beskyd, Oselia Kholodnyj Yar and Oselia Khortytsia.
A commemorative bonfire at Oselia Kholodnyj Yar in Fillmore, N.Y.
For older campers, there are opportunities to take part in more traditional sleep-away camps, sports camp, arts camp and youth leadership camp.
In addition, a weeklong transitional camp, or Perekhodovyj Tabir, is offered at both Oselia CYM in Ellenville and Oselia Beskyd for children who have outgrown Sumeniata camp, but are not quite yet ready to spend an entire week away from their families. Children age 6-7 who attend this camp participate in all regular camp activities but spend three nights with their parents and then the final two nights at sleep-away camp.
For children age 7-12, the UAYA offers several traditional two- to three-week long camp experiences in a nurturing environment that facilitates the development of good character and Ukrainian identity. These are held at all four CYM oseli. Children who attend these camps sleep in cabins or tents, and participate in a variety of organized learning experiences. Recreational camps include opportunities for swimming, sports and hiking. Specialized sports camps involve the development of specific skills in soccer, volleyball, tennis and swimming, while arts camps engage children in traditional Ukrainian art forms including dancing, embroidery, pysanka-making, bandura-playing, and beadwork or gerdany-making.
For teens age 13-17, the focus of CYM camps includes the opportunity to develop specific interests and outdoor survival skills, and to develop leadership abilities that will allow youth to become counselors and future leaders. In particular, the CYM “Vyshkil,” or Education Camp, that takes place annually at both Oselia CYM in Ellenville and Oselia Beskyd in Baraboo, and is only open to UAYA members age 15 and older who have already attended camps for younger members, have demonstrated their commitment to the organization, and have a desire to learn more about Ukrainian history and culture, as well as basic child development and pedagogy. Campers who attend Vyshkil have opportunities to work with younger UAYA members both during the summer months and in their home chapters during the school year. Those who successfully complete three years of Vyshkil typically become youth group leaders in the organization and eventually organize camps and activities for future generations of Ukrainian Americans.
CYM was founded in 1949 by Ukrainian Americans who strove to raise their children in community contexts that nurture the development of a strong Ukrainian American identity. The organization operates 21 youth chapters across the continental United States and provides year-round opportunities to foster greater understanding of Ukrainian history and current events, develop a love of Ukrainian culture and language, and promote Christian ethical principles. The organization operates under the motto “God and Ukraine.”
For more information on UAYA camps visit www.CYM.org/US.
Campers at Vyshkilnyi Tabir at Oselia Beskyd in Baraboo, Wis.