This year’s Counsellor-in-training camp “United, We Are Strong” started on Monday, July 1st, 2019. In total, there were 46 participants, age 15 to 18 years old and the camp was held at Werchowyna in Chertsey, Quebec. We had youth from the following branches participating: Edmonton, Calgary, Montreal, Mississauga, Etobicoke and St. Catharines. This camp, also known as Vyshkil, promotes and fosters the growth and development of leadership skills among our youth and mentors young teenagers in the areas of responsibility, setting and achieving goals and working within a team. This camp also encourages our youth to learn about the history of Ukraine, CYMoznatsvo and religion. It also gives the participants a chance to deepen their understanding of God’s teachings and allows them to explore their faith and beliefs and to continue their work under the motto “God and Ukraine”.
During the two week period, we also had many hutirky on different topics, one of which was the illegal occupation of Crimea and Maidan given by Podruha Anna Zakharova. We also had the pleasure of listening to Eugene Czolij, former President of the Ukrainian World Congress, who spoke to us on how to fight Russian propaganda. Podruha Oksana Kyzyshyn, President of the League of Ukrainian Canadian Women spoke to the yunatsvo about NATO and her role in teaching army procedures to the Ukrainian soldiers. We also had the opportunity to welcome the Holodomor educational bus who gave an interesting hutirka about Russia’s intent to prevent information from filtering through to other countries.
Not only did we have structured lessons but we also had the opportunity to participate in physical activities such as swimming, sports and dancing. Dancing, better known as “bancy”, played a major part in many zabavas at our camp. With the help of two prodruhy from Ukraine the kids were taught three different choreographed dances that they were able to utilize at the two zabavas. It was a fun and new way to get everybody dancing. We also celebrated many Ukrainian cultural events such as the feast of St. Paul and Peter as well as Ivana Kupala.
There were many highlights during our two weeks at Vyshkil. One being when the Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada, Andriy Shevchenko, came for a visit. He spoke about his work as well as the relationship between Canada and Ukraine. We had the distinct pleasure of him joining all of us for dinner and he also participated in our evening ‘apel‘. Another highlight of Vyshkil is when we went zip lining to Abraska. It was a nice change from our regular rotation of hutirky and the kids had a fun time climbing through the different obstacles and trees. Lastly, the many vatras allowed not only time for relaxation but also for some fun and excitement through singing.
As our tabir neared its end the yunatsvo were busy reviewing their hutirky in preparation for their final exam. This was a stressful time but everyone seemed to do their best.
The time came to say goodbye. We enjoyed ourselves at a farewell zabava after spending two wonderful weeks together. It is never easy to say goodbye and Vyshkil is not only an ideal setting to learn cooperation, communication and teamwork but it is also a place for young Ukrainian teens to build lifelong friendships. Attending Vyshkil is a gift that lasts a lifetime!!!
For additional pictures and camp video, please visit our galleries: week 1, week 2 and video.
Laryssa Luszczki
