Home CYM Canada CYM Canada Vyshkil 2026

CYM Canada Vyshkil 2026

2026-08-13

The All-Canadian CYM Counsellor-in-Training Camp, titled “Let Victory Begin with Me!” and named after the Armed Forces of Ukraine, took place at the picturesque CYM Veselka camp near Acton, Ontario.

Over the course of two weeks—from June 27 to July 10—51 young CYM members from across Canada learned together how to become better CYM members, better Christians, and better Ukrainians; in short, better people!

The camp staff included: Tanya Choly (komendant), Laryssa Luszczki (bunczuzhna), Nataliya Schturyn (program coordinator), Danylo Radovenchyk (pyaar), Lesyk Choly and Melania Schturyn (obozni), and Hanya Ostapiuk (counselor-instructor).

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The main topics covered by the program were Theology, CYMoznavstvo, Modern Ukraine, Methodology, and Leadership. The training camp is a three-year process, so there were separate discussions and sessions for different age groups. The camp schedule was very packed and varied! Many sessions were led by the camp staff on all the topics mentioned, but this year the camp also welcomed many guests who led various sessions.

On the first Sunday of camp, everyone went to St. Elias Church in Brampton, near Veselka. It is a wooden church built in the Boikiv style. After the Divine Liturgy, the parish priest, Fr. Toma Hryvna, spoke about the iconography and architecture of this magnificent church. The following Sunday, the national chaplain of CYM, Fr. Andriy Figol, celebrated the Divine Liturgy and led a discussion on the topic “Why Does Evil Exist?” There were also theological talks on the Divine Liturgy, the spiritual struggle (St. Michael), and the difference between Orthodox and Greek Catholics.

Regarding methodology—that is, specific advice on how to work with youth—Ms. Hanya Ostapiuk provided the most instruction, but Ms. Leda Ostafichuk and Ms. Luba Waplak also assisted and visited the camp.

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Under the heading “Modern Ukraine,” Prof. Marta Dychok spoke about why it is important to study history, and Petro Schturyn spoke about the collapse of the Ukrainian SSR and Ukraine’s independence. There were also interesting discussions on ecocide in Ukraine (led by Laryssa Luszczki) and the Crimean Tatars (led by Danylo Radovenchyk). In the evenings, campers watched the HBO miniseries *Chernobyl*.

On the topic of CYM, Irka Shust-Dankowycz, Harry Nesmasznyj, and Vasyl Symchych came to lead discussions. There was a very interesting online meeting with Natalia Tereshchenko from Lviv, who spoke about CYM’s activities in Ukraine amid the war and showcased projects undertaken by CYM members in the diaspora (including in Canada), such as “Warm the Heart of a Child” and the mailing of amulets to soldiers to support Ukraine in its struggle.

A special highlight was the visit to our camp by the renowned Ukrainian-Canadian author and journalist Victor Malarek. He gave a presentation on Ukraine’s stolen children and his latest book, *Stolen*, on this topic. Thanks to a very generous donation from the Peterson Literary Fund and the Ukrainica Research Institute, Victor presented and signed a copy of his book for every camper!

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At CYM, we train leaders, and there were talks on the topic of leadership focusing on personal development and civic responsibility. Oksana Sokolyk visited the camp and gave a presentation on Russian disinformation and how to combat it.

During the training camp, the young men and women attended talks, participated in workshops, conducted research on historical topics and anniversaries, and prepared presentations; they also had the opportunity to work in the four tracks: social, cultural, military, and international.

The “Kulturnyky” organized celebrations for the entire camp marking the feast of John the Baptist (Ivan Kupala), the Chervona Ruta Festival dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the restoration of CYM in the diaspora, and an Evening of Remembrance for the Fallen Heroes of CYM. The “Suspilnyky” organized preparations and a campaign in the town of Acton to draw the local population’s attention to the issue of Russian abductions of Ukrainian children; the “Mizhnarodnyky” members researched information and introduced our guest speakers, and also provided the latest news from Ukraine every evening, while the “Ratnyky” participated in sports and organized a soccer tournament in which teams represented the countries where CYM is currently active.

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There was also an opportunity to develop cultural skills—the young cimivci could either work as a team to paint the walls in the Petrykivka style, create videos on CYM-related themes, or (learn how to) embroider a small cross-shaped amulet for soldiers. There was also a ballroom dance workshop led by Maestro Fedir Danylak. And since we were in the great outdoors, all campers participated in interactive sessions on wilderness safety, building campfires, and setting up tents. They then put their new knowledge into practice during the “Camp Within a Camp” activity.

For entertainment, there was the chance to swim in the pool, play volleyball, and take a trip to Rockwood Nature Reserve, where participants could go for a walk in the woods, explore caves, swim in the lake, and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings. There were campfires, singing, and even two parties!

The final exam, a farewell evening, a festive assembly to close the camp, the presentation of certificates— is how two unforgettable weeks of this year’s training camp ended.

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A big thank you to head counsellor Natalya Schturyn for her exemplary facilitation of the program, which was interesting, educational, and varied. We also thank the entire team for skillfully carrying out all their duties and for their willingness to help—whether it was setting up the sound system, leading group or squad activities, handling equipment, serving as first responders, maintaining order at the subcamps, and so on.

Special thanks to our cooks from Baby Point and head cook Larysa Czoli for the delicious food. We also thank the volunteers who came to organize a barbecue for the camp, and the friends who helped when a storm knocked a tree onto the team’s area and caused a lot of other damage. Thank you to everyone who came and helped, because in addition to the program, there are many administrative and logistical tasks to handle. As we often said at camp—“for the common good!”

We believe that the participants of this year’s training camp have taken to heart the idea that victory begins with each of us, and that they will put into practice everything they have learned—to the glory of God and Ukraine, and for the good of our Ukrainian Youth Association.

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