This summer, CYM members from Calgary and Edmonton met at Pigeon Lake camp in Alberta from July 16 to 30. The educational and recreational camp “Honor” under the slogan “Honor of Ukraine – Ready to Defend!” was very successful. Due to the high level of interest, we divided the program into two weeks. The first week of camp was attended by younger youth and CYMeniata. The vykhovnyky were actively assisted by vporiadnyky who earlier attended the counsellor-in-training camp. The second week was dedicated to older youth and vporiadnyky. This year, for the first time, we resumed the program for CYMeniata who came with their parents. The parents were very helpful with camp chores. In total, more than 120 children and 20 vykhovnyky participated in the camp.

The camp program was filled with historical anniversaries, artistic themes, sports, and joint creative activities. Each day had its own theme. We celebrated: the 100th anniversary of the founding of CYM, the 125th anniversary of the birth of Ukrainian artist and master of folk decorative painting Kateryna Bilokur, the 35th anniversary of the proclamation of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Ukraine, and the 50th anniversary of the victory of the Dynamo (Kyiv) football club in the UEFA Super Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup.

The young people listened to talks, took part in handicrafts, sports games, and bonfires. Swimming in the pool and canoeing were especially popular. The children enthusiastically sang the song “100th Anniversary of CYM” with lyrics by Anika Bacinski and drew a festive anniversary picture created by her for younger and older participants.

До Команди табору увійшли в першому тижні: Христя Мусієнко – комендант, Степан Подільський – бунчужний, Лариса Колодій – писар, Аніка Бачинська – головна виховниця і виховний склад: Настя Гарагуц, Настя Івасик, Михайло Таранко, Марія Манченко, Лук’ян Подільський, Титан Тобейчук, Максим Белоченко, Демяʼн Готра, Маркус Сенейко, як і також впорядники: Софія Загірська, Ярина Зозуляк, Зенон Семенюк, Степан Стащенко та Галина Гнатик.

During the first week at camp, there were also spiritual celebrations—the celebration of Pentecost with singing and communal prayers. We were visited by Fr. Serhiy Harahuc, chaplain of the Edmonton Branch, who celebrated the Liturgy.

Each week ended with a concert and the first “Talent Show,” where each group prepared performances and the jury presented awards. After the concert, the children had a grand party until late at night.

The komanda for the first week included: Christine Musienko – komendant, Stepan Podilsky – bunczuzhnyy, Laryssa Kolodiy – pysar, Anika Bacinski – head counselor, and the counseling staff: Nastia Harahuc, Nastya Ivasyk, Mykhailo Taranko, Maria Manchenko, Lukian Podilsky, Titan Tobeychuk, Maksym Belochenko, Demyan Hotra, Markus Seneyko, as well as vporiadnyky: Sofia Zagirsky, Yaryna Zozuliak, Zenon Semeniuk, Stepan Stashchenko, and Halyna Hnatyk.

The komanda for the second week included: Khrystyna Zagirsky – komendant, Nastia Ivasyk – bunczuzhna, Sofia Zagirsky – pysar, Ruslana Glamazda – head counselor, and the educational staff: Olya Glamazda, Mykhailo Taranko, Maria Manchenko, Demian Hotra, Markus Seneyko, Olesia Polishchuk, Marko Boychuk, Anika Bacinski, Maxwell Scott, and vporiadnyky: Sofia Zagirsky, Zenon Semeniuk, and Stepan Stashchenko.

The kitchen staff included: Tymko Basaraba, Monika Ginek, Halya Klym, Oksana Pavliv, Tanya Shiyan, Myroslava Kovalskaya, Natalia Melysh, Svitlana Putivlenko, and Oksana Zubashevskaya.

Sincere thanks to the Camp Committee consisting of: Daria Podilsky, Ivanka Soletsky, Anna-Maria Zagirsky, Larysa Kolodiy, Nastya Harahuc, Nastya Ivasyk, Olya Glamazda, Rusya Glamazda, Tymko Basaraba, Anika Bacinski, and Kiriya Bacinski.

We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to our financial sponsors: the Ukrainian Youth Association’s Charitable Trust, as well as the company “Stavnychni” for their delicious sausage.

Khrystyna Zagirsky and Christine Musienko

Additional fotos from week 1 can be found here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/V5TAShcTkvFaJLa46 and week 2 here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/mKxEmWsZkNAmTkQa8

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