Vera Rohozynsky-Storoniak,
Camp Director
… and the Teen Leadership Camp 2001 at Camp Sokil in Hawkestone, Ontario was a very good thing for 18 campers and staff.
The camp session began on Sunday July 29, 2001 on a bright sunny afternoon. After registration, the campers unpacked and settled in. They caught up with “old” friends and were eager to make new ones. At the dinner of spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread, salad and dessert, formal introductions of staff and campers were made as well as an orientation of camp routine.
The staff consisted of Mrs. Vera Rohozynsky-Storoniak, camp director, Mrs. Orysia Sopinka-Chwaluk, assistant and arts and crafts instructor, Mr. Roman Jaworski, male counsellor, Misses Oksana Shlepak and Kathryn Skorobohacz, female counsellors, Miss Marci Kuzemchuk, Ukrainian dancing and choreography instructor, Mrs. Olga Golas, chef, and Mr. Victor Mishalow, choir and bandura instructor.
The campers and staff were from many different points in Ontario and Europe. From Burlington: Sonia Lazor, Nicholas Hill, Steve Gould; from Mississauga: John Zahrebelny; from Oshawa: Danylo Jaworski, Mr. Roman Jaworski, Marci Kuzemchuk; from Ottawa: Tatiana Lachowich, Tetiana Sirskyj, Andriya Talanczuk; from Toronto: Roxolana Chwaluk, Mrs. Orysia Sopinka-Chwaluk, Mrs. Olga Golas, Alex Letov, Mr. Victor Mishalow, Mrs. Vera Rohozynsky-Storoniak; from Ukraine: Petro Tretiak; from Whitby: Oksana Shlepak; from Windsor: Andrew Nimeck, Anna Skorobohacz, Kathryn Skorobohacz.
During Week One, the morning program consisted of arts and crafts, namely pysanky and embroidery, Ukrainian singing and dancing. The afternoon program consisted of three guest speakers on consecutive afternoons. The first speaker was Mr. Warren Clark, a year-round resident of Hawkestone, a member of the Orillia Power and Sails Squadron and a volunteer training officer for the squadron in boat safety. Mr. Clark spoke about water and boat safety, demonstrating various life saving equipment that is available, using charts to explain the importance of weather and interplay of wind and water currents. He left us with the message to be respectful of any body of water and particularly of Lake Simcoe which can be very treacherous in inclement weather.
The second presentation was given by Mrs. Orysia Sopinka-Chwaluk on the life of Taras Shevchenko, this year being the 140th anniversary of his death. As Ukrainians we honour and revere the poet of our roots. Using slides, Mrs. Chwaluk spoke of his life, education, social status, talents and events leading to his incarceration and death.
Continuing with the theme of Taras Shevchenko our third guest was Mr. Danylo Darevych, a history teacher in Toronto. He compared the countries of Canada and Ukraine during the lifetime of Shevchenko, mentioning settlements, political situations and other facts relating to that era. He prepared a game of Jeopardy based on the information of his presentation, much to the delight of the listeners.
Sports, beach activities, and cooperative games were organized by the counsellors, rounding out the camp day.
During Week Two, the Teen Leadership Camp was joined by Mr. Victor Mishalow and his bandura campers – from Mississauga: Luba Czech, Paul Kowalczuk, Natalie Markiewicz; from Scarborough, Natalie Kotowski. They received a warm welcome – “the more, the merrier.” Bandura instruction, singing, and playing became part of the program for the remainder of camp time.
We braved the heat-wave that beset us making the beach a very welcome spot. Sports activities were curtailed to prevent overexertion.
Throughout the two weeks, all campers worked on a camp booklet – “Camp Sokil Reflections 2001” – contributing autobiographies and articles about various aspects of camp life. This was possible through the efforts of Mr. John Pidkowich who transported, hooked up and returned the computer lent to the camp by U.N.F. Toronto. The information was edited and published in Toronto, compiled into a booklet and has now been mailed out to each camper. Many thanks to the editor-at-camp Andriya Talanczuk and in Toronto to Taras Babyuk. Enjoy the fun of a memorable issue!
The chef, Mrs. Olga Golas, a gourmet cook beyond compare, worked extremely hard throughout the heat wave in the hot kitchen to prepare the most delicious, nutritious and varied menu. All that were present and tasted her cuisine will agree that the pyrohy and chicken caesar wraps – to mention a few items – were outstanding. The suggestions, contributions and help given by Mr. and Mrs. Jaworski were most appreciated.
The final Saturday evening was Awards and Dance Night. Each camper received two awards – a formal document for program participation and a “fun” one relating to camp life. The counsellors also gave out awards of their own assessing each camper as they perceived them.
On the last day, Sunday August 12, 2001, the campers attended church service in the chapel and after the final lunch they staged a concert for their friends, relatives and parents under the leadership of Mr. Mishalow. The program included the two weeks’ work of Ukrainian singing and dancing and bandura playing. Arts and crafts were also displayed for parents to see. Miss Natalka Hastylo from Toronto provided beautiful Ukrainian costumes for all participants which presented a wonderful visual display.
After the concert, all guests were invited to the flagpole site for the formal closing of the camp. With the lowering of the flags and singing of the Ukrainian anthem, Camp Sokil 2001 came to an end. The campers bade farewell and as they left with their parents, all took with them many new friendships and experiences to add to their world.
The campers’ personalities were as diverse as their number. Yet after the initial strangeness wore off, the interaction and bonding was most gratifying for the staff to see. Be it the common cultural roots, be it being the products of their peer society or be it the charm and calm of Lake Simcoe, or perhaps a combination of all of the above, but Camp Sokil on Lake Simcoe does cast a magic spell, bringing out the good things in all.
We are looking forward to Camp Sokil 2002 to being not only a vcry good thing but the very best!
Positions will be available for counsellors, male and female. Look for announcements in The New Pathway in February 2002.