Camp “Victory”at Holubyne Ozero, Alberta

The educational and recreational camp at Holubyne Ozero in Alberta, called “Peremoha” (Victory) and featuring this year’s slogan “Let victory begin with me!”, took place from July 12 to 25 of this year. Our youth spent two unforgettable weeks there. We studied, danced, played, learned about Ukrainian traditions, and most importantly, laughed a lot! Each camper took their first step toward victories both big and small.

The first evening of camp began with the arrival of the campers and a festive opening assembly. After dinner, the children were introduced to the camp rules and participated in their first patrol activities. Right from the start, the campers began getting to know one another, forming new friendships, and settling into the unique rhythm of camp life.

The first week was filled with learning, sports, creative activities, and all kinds of adventures. The children learned more about the history of CYM, its traditions and values, as well as about the Armed Forces of Ukraine. During arts and crafts classes, the campers expressed their creativity, while sports activities helped foster team spirit. There was even a soccer match, where everyone had the chance to showcase their athletic skills.

Firefighters also visited the camp; they introduced the children to their work, demonstrated firefighting equipment, and shared many interesting facts about their jobs. Another exciting event was the arrival of a small petting zoo, which brought the campers a lot of joy and unforgettable memories.

Of course, summer at camp wouldn’t be complete without spending time by the water. The children swam in Holubyne Zero and in the pool, played together, and enjoyed the warm summer days. These moments gave them a chance to relax after a full day of activities and simply spend time with friends.

The traditional Camp Wedding, one of the camp’s most beloved activities, took center stage during the first week. It is not only a fun tradition but also an important educational experience, as it allows us to teach our youth about Ukrainian customs and rituals. From the church service, traditional wedding songs, and the wedding loaf to the celebration itself, all of this helps the children learn about Ukrainian culture and create unforgettable memories.

The Komanda for the first week included: Christine Mousienko – komendant, Michael Taranko – bunczuzhnyy, Maria Manchenko – head counsellor, Larysa Kolodij – pysar. Additional counsellors were: Xenon Semeniuk, Ruslana Glamazda, Stepan Staszczenko, Daria Podilska and vporiadnyky: Oleksandr Khomyn, Yaryna Zozuliak, Kateryna Gritseva, Oleksandr Zhedrij, Sofia Zagirska and Anna Prykuda. We would like to sincerely thank the entire first-week team for their excellent work and the unforgettable time we spent together!

The second week brought new adventures, competitions, and educational activities. During roll call, the children learned the rules of CYM, discipline, and organization, and also learned more about the history of our organization and its traditions. These activities helped the campers better understand what it means to be part of the CYM community.

Ivan Kupala Day became an important cultural event. The campers learned more about the history of the holiday, its traditions, and customs, which Ukrainians have preserved and continue to observe to this day. Through activities like these, young people have the opportunity to learn about and cherish Ukraine’s cultural heritage.

The spirit of sports continued during our very own FIFA World Cup. Each camper was assigned a team, and the participants competed against one another for the title of champions. The tournament was a wonderful opportunity to foster team spirit, sportsmanship, and the ability to support one’s teammates.

The second week also brought the children plenty of fun. A highlight was the foam party, which brought a sea of laughter and positive emotions. At the party, the campers danced, spent time together, and happily showed off their amazing dance moves.

Our evening campfires under the starry sky created a special atmosphere. We all sang camp songs and Ukrainian songs together, shared our experiences, and enjoyed spending time with friends. It was evenings like these that became some of our fondest memories of camp.

Members of the second week Komanda were: komendant – Oksana Dawid, bunczuzhnyy – Marko Boychuk, head counsellor – Maria Manchenko, pysar – Michael Taranko. Additional counsellors included: Stefan Podilskyj, Xenon Semeniuk, Stepan Staszczenko, Victor Stasyk, Tania Shyan, Natalia Melysh, Maksym Belochenko, Maria Pedyash, Nastia Iwasyk and vporiadnyky: Oleksandr Khomyn, Yaryna Zozuliak, Kateryna Gritseva, Oleksandra Zherdij and Sofia Prykhodko.

The two weeks at “Peremoha” flew by incredibly quickly. During that time, our campers not only relaxed and had fun, but also learned, explored Ukrainian culture and the history of CYM, built team spirit, and made new friends. Every day brought new knowledge, friendships, laughter, and unforgettable moments.

Additional fotos can be viewed here: Tabir “Victory”!

Michael Taranko