After a lengthy break, a relatively short, but full of content and program CYM Recreational Camp was held once again at near Winnipeg this year.
The 4-day Camp began with a bus trip from the Canadian-Ukrainian Institute of ‘Prosvita’ to the camp “Zelenyy Bir” in Ukrainian Park, approximately 100 km. north of Winnipeg over the shores of the great Lake Winnipeg. About 20 campers, mostly recent immigrants from Ukraine participated in the camp, coming from different parts of Ukraine: Lviv, Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, and of course from Canada. The camp was organized and conducted by the following CYM druzhynnyky: Commandant – Markian McColl, Bunchuzhnyy – Nykola Berett, Pysar – Liliya Hrytsak, Counselor – Ariadna Dlugosh, and advisers – seniors Myroslava Pidhirna and Marijka Diakiw. The camp staff was complemented by several camp mothers who were mainly responsible for order and cleanliness.
The camp was held under this year’s CYM motto “Nyni CYMivcia – Nyni Bijcia” and marked the 75th anniversary of CYM Canada. The diverse program included the celebration of Ivan Kupala, participation in Holy Mass in the chapel of St. Volodymyr, singing, needlework, a trip to Camp Morton Park, talks about the meaning of friendship, the environment and the importance of respecting it, the connection between a healthy body and a healthy soul, CYMoznavstvo and current events in Ukraine, and ways that CYM Youth can help. A lot of time was devoted to sports, swimming, interactive games and friendly bonfires, which in a short time created a real feeling of friendship and warmth.
Camp 2023 ended too quickly. The campers went home with tears in their eyes, promising to finally meet again in the fall when CYM weekly gatherings and activities begin.
