Recreational summer camp at Pigeon Lake, Alberta

Our long-awaited summer camp at Pigeon Lake has ended. This year’s camp was the largest camp, in the past twenty-five years, at Pigeon Lake, between CYM Calgary and Edmonton. This year we had 91 children, 60 of which were from Calgary and 31 from Edmonton. Because of such a high number of kids who joined camp this year, we ran out of space in the barracks for vykhovnyky and cooks and had to rent out additional trailers. Many memories and moments will remain ingrained in the memory of each camper from their experiences.

Our CYMivci had fun and exciting days, filled with new experiences and learning. Every day the children had learning sessions which were prepared by their vykhovnyky and guests. The topics included: 75 Years of CYM in Canada; Hryhorij Vashchenko; CYM ideology; Geography of Ukraine; Good Leadership and the Success of President Zelenskyj; Various armies in the history of Ukraine; 70th anniversary of the birth of Kvitka Cisyk – Ukrainian Music Icon; 90 Years of the Holodomor.

The Tabir took place from the 16 -29 of July. Our camp theme was “Today a CYMivec – Today a Defender”. Our Camp was titled “TO VICTORY”. This was very fitting given the current situation in Ukraine. It was a main theme throughout the camp, outlining the importance of defending Ukraine and our role in supporting Ukrainе as an organization, and as a CYMivci.

The children were energized and with great enthusiasm took part in a variety of craft activities as well as singing. Our camp was filled with children who loved to sing, and each day it was very important to sing their favorite songs, specifically: “ Our Father Bandera”. We were very blessed to have the talented Iryna Kalinovich who taught five groups – more than fifty children to play the bandura and perform at our formal concert. The children fell in love with the bandura, and everyone who attended the concert was amazed how quickly they learned and played so well. The youth had the opportunity to swim daily in the pool, canoe and paddle in the lake. This was a very important part of the day as well as their treats from the camp canteen. Тhe oldest group of children also had some sessions regarding good health, which were offered by Vasyl Yavorsky and Danylo Krys.

At the beginning of the second week, the children took part in Ivana Kupalo celebrations, where they made flower wreaths, crosses, and enjoyed an evening ceremony of throwing their wreaths and crosses in the lake as well as jumping over the fire. The children had a great time. Thank you to podruha Olena Stashenko and all vykhovnyky who organized this event. 

An incredible highlight of the second week was that some of our oldest campers were able to attend a three-day UPA camp which ran alongside the regular camp. They youth stayed in tents, cooked their own food, and learned many things about UPA and living life in hiding. A big thank-you to Mykhajlo Miskiw, Tatiana Denkowych, Taras Podilsky, Lukian Podilsky and Anastasia Iwasyk for running this special camp.

While the older campers were in the forest, the younger campers went on a day trip to Discovery Park in Innisfail, where they were able to visit with many animals. Their favorite things were the bears, and riding around with Podruha Chrystia in the golf cart.

This year’s Camp Committee consisted of: Marko Boychuk – Chair of the Committee, Daria Podilsky, Khrystyna Zahirska, Olena Stashenko, Anika Bachinska, Chrystia Moussienko – members. The Komanda for camp included: Chrystia Moussienko, Komendant – first week, Oksana Dawid, Komendant – second week, Danylo Moussienko, Bunchuzhnij – first week, Marko Boychuk, Bunchuzhnij – second week, Olya and Ruslana Glamazda – Pysari, Daria Podilsky – Head Instructor and counselors: Anna Maria Zahirska, Nataliya and Oleksandr Melysh, Robert and Sviatoslav Plishka, Ira Shekova, Sofia Zozuliak, Titan Tobeychuk, Lukian Podilsky, Stefan Podilsky, Anastasia Iwasyk, and Maria Pedyash. Thank you to our Incredible camp cooks:  Maxine Zakordonsky, Lori Boyarsky, and helpers:  Olena, Mariola, Iwona, Snizhana, and Tim for providing us with fresh home-baked cookies and incredible food for two weeks.

A special thank-you to the Camp Committee, Komanda, for all their incredible work, it would not be possible without your dedication, knowledge, energy and hard work. Thank you to our cooks, and all parents who helped with various needs of the camp, and cleaning the camp to perfection. Most of all we thank all the children who attended this year’s camp. You inspire us to organize such camps and keep all of our incredible CYM and Ukrainian traditions. It was very difficult to say goodbye, but in all of us remains the CYM flame that reminds us that we are part of something bigger than ourselves, and inspires us to work together, love one another and ourselves, and work towards strengthening our Ukrainian community in Canada and around the globe.

Khrystyna Zahirska & Christine Moussienko

Additional photos about this year’s recreational camp “To Victory” you will find here!