Educational & recreational camp “Unbreakable” at Pigeon Lake

The educational and recreational camp “Unbreakable” at Pigeon Lake 2024 has come to an end, but unforgettable memories, moments, and impressions will remain in the memory of each camper for a long time.

Every morning exercise and the feeling of dew penetrating the sneakers. The morning appel, for which you need to have time to put on your uniform. Delicious breakfasts with our positive and cheerful chefs who take care of the healthy nutrition of each camper. After such mornings we usually had interesting and educational classes to learn more about CYM, the world, life and ourselves. To enrich our knowledge about Ukraine and to learn about ourselves as CYM members. And the daily discussions were devoted to these topics: 10th anniversary of the Revolution of Dignity and the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war, and 20th anniversary of the Orange Revolution; 75th anniversary of the birth of composer Volodymyr Ivasyuk; 120th anniversary of the birth of CYM founder Mykola Pavlushkov; 130th anniversary of the first football match in Ukraine; Olympic Games – Holubyne Ozero 2024; Ivana Kupala; Ukrainian Liberation Forces during World War II; 135th anniversary of the birth of political activist and underground activist Olha Basarab; Traditional Ukrainian wedding customs.

The camp took place from July 14 to 28, 2024. This year we decided to divide the camp into two parts: the first week for younger youth and the second week for older youth. This way, everyone from the senior and junior youth had the opportunity to attend this year’s camp and have a good time with their peers.

The slogan of our camp this year was “Evil will perish and truth will prevail”. This slogan deeply symbolizes the inner understanding, faith and hope for the victory of Ukraine not only of every CYM member, but also of every Ukrainian. This year’s instructive slogan educates true defenders of their country.

The children were excited to do interesting and fun crafts every day. They studied Petrykivka painting, painted Taras Shevchenko and Catherine, and made bracelets and wreaths. The campers also had the opportunity to swim in the pool, swim in canoes, and compete in water balloon races every day. This year, our team decided to organize  Camp Olympics for the boys and girls. All campers spent a very fun, interesting and most importantly useful time together, because they had the opportunity to learn group communication with each other, as well as teamwork, which will be useful for them in life and outside of CYM.

This year, about 130 boys and girls participated in the camp, along with the komanda which consisted of: Khrystyna Zagirska, head of the camp committee; Chrystia Musienko and Oksana David, commandants; Daria Podilska and Ruslana Glamazda, head counsellors; Olga Glamazda and Anastasia Ivasyk, bunczuzhni; Anna-Maria Zagirska, pyaar; Anastasia Harahuc, Anika Baczinski, Tymko Bassarab, Larysa and Marta Tymchyna, members of the camp committee; and counsellors: Mykhailo Gudzio-Perez, Larysa Kolodiy, Nastia Ivasyk, Olga Glamazda, Anika Baczinski, Daria Podilsky, Marta Tymchyna, Maria Pediash, Maria Manchenko, Iryna Shekhova, Anna-Maria Zagirska, Nastia Harahuc, Ruslana Glamazda, Stefan Podilsky, Olesia Polishchuk, Roman Kshetsky, Svitlana Tulchynska, Christine Musienko; vporiadnyky: Sophia Zagirska, Maksym Belochenko, Stepan Stashchenko, Maxwell Scott, Artur Bazyan, Stefan Roman, Oleksiy Kharabara, Yaryna Zozulyak; kitchen staff: Monika Hajnek, Roksolana Savaryn, Olena Semenova, Alyona Lipinska, Ivona Havlak-Homernik, Oleh Bazyan, Natalia Palahniuk, Tetyana Prykhodko, Tymko Bassaraba. Our hosts and parents helped to keep the kitchen, dining room, baths and the camp clean.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the entire komanda and the camp committee, without whom this camp would not have taken place. To the entire kitchen staff for the delicious and healthy food. To the parents who helped throughout the camp, as well as to everyone who helped clean the camp. But most of all, we thank all the boys and girls who participated in this year’s camp. You inspire us to create such events and to preserve our traditions.

It was very difficult to say goodbye, but we were all warmed by the thought that next year we will have the opportunity to gather and meet again at the annual educational and recreational camp.

The night is already falling. Over the top

The clear sun has long since set!

Sleep well now. No worries

God is with us! God is with us!

Anna-Maria Zagirska

Additional pictures can be found here: