Top 10 Best Things CYM Camp “Veselka” near Acton, Ontario
1. The name of the camp.
This year’s camp was called “Wings of Ukraine” under the patronage Archangel Michael. The name symbolized the strength and endurance of the Ukrainian people. The name also represented the strength of the Ukrainian diaspora, and especially the strength of our 75-year-old CYM organization, which supports Ukraine and its inevitable victory. CYM has taken on the responsibility of helping Ukraine financially and is also actively helping displaced children who have fled to Canada because of the war. Many of these children joined CYM during the year and subsequently attended their first overnight CYM camp.
2. The Day-time program.
The program was extremely interesting and full of various activities thanks to amazing and creative Program Direcror, Lesia Hrycyshyn. Every day, boys and girls learned about different aspects of Ukrainian history, culture or current affairs, played sports, made crafts, sang and prepared for the planned evening events. There were special days when competitions were held, where children built rafts out of cardboard, or participated in field games, or in competitions by the pool. The campers went to the chapel on Sundays for mass and also performed for parents during the Sunday visitiation.
3. The Evening program.
In the evening, the whole camp gathered together to play games, like the “Wheel of
Fortune”, or participated in other events such as the Talent Show, Ivan Kupalo l, bonfires, movie nights, a bridal shower , a Bachelor Party, a Camp Wedding, and dances. Some evenings had a more serious tone, where, for example, campers honored the fallen heroes, including fallen members of CYM fighting currently in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. They also wove camouflage nets which were shipped different brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
4. The Camp Point System.
Cabin groups competed with each other and received points when they participated in certain activities. For example, one day each cabin group received a certain tool and had to invent and build a “Thingamabob”, that was intended to improve the life of the average camper at the camp. The groups presented their work to a jury, that awarded point that could be traded in to buy special priveleges, such as extending the curfew, , pizza parties, or a swim time after dinner, and so on.
5. The Field Trip.
This year, the whole camp went to Hart Lake Provincial Park for tree top trekking and zip lining. Some groups did a geocaching quest, while the very youngest campers played at the newly designed splash pad.
6. Energizers – aka “Bansy”
Every day, the camp danced together to lively songs. This tradition was passed on to us by CYM members from Ukraine. The dances put everyone in a a good mood and created strong camp spirit.
7. The Swimming pool.
Campers went swimming at least twice a day. The newly built pool is the epicenter of the camp – a place where you can refresh yourself and relax in the warm sun and then go to the playground, which is located nearby, and swing on the swing and truly take in summer.
8. The Tuck Shop.
Every afternoon there were queues for ice cream. Parents left childern money on their accounts and each camper had a credit and bought up to two treats a day.
9. The Camp Kitchen.
Thanks to Mrs. Marianne Semkiv and Mariyka Huska and their kitchen staff, everyone had a delicious breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner and even a bed-time snack. The top two favourites were varenyky and gigantic oatmeal cookies. Everyone also looked forward to the traditional Wednesday night barbecue dinners which were prepared by the a team of visiting parents. The kitchen staff was especially popular when they gave out candy treats!
10. Camp Mail.
Every day, during the afternoon, the campers received mail from the postmaster and senior counselor, Adelia. The campers and staff wrote each other daily letters. It was always nice to receive a signed or sometimes anonymous letter with a warm greeting or a funny joke. The campers got to know one another better by sharing their thoughts and camp experiences. This year there were a lot of children from different cities in Ontario. There were children from Toronto, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Hamilton, Guelph, Kitchener, and London. The hope is that they will continue to correspond and stay in touch during the year until camp in 2024!
Please visit our galleries to see many more pictures: Week 1 & Week 2 of Summer camp 2023
