|
The CYM counselor-training camp "Cross and Sword" i.m.o. Dmytro Dontsov, on July 12th and 13th 2001, welcomed Plast at the Ellenville New York CYM camp.
The idea to organize such an event was initiated by the CYM summer camp committee several months ago. After multiple phone calls and emails, countless hours of preparation, the long-awaited day of the momentous get-together arrived.
The bus with Plast campers - participants at the Plast camps at "Vovcha Tropa" - arrived late afternoon. Sumivtsi greeted the Plast scouts with a resonant "Hartuis'!"
The Plast scouts in turn, responded with an equally loud "Syl'no, Krasno, Oberezhno, Bystro!" In keeping with a long-standing Ukrainian tradition, the guests were invited to an outdoor barbecue dinner. Sumivtsi from the second "kurin'" "Tykhyj Lis" grilled hamburgers and hot dogs; whereas the camp kitchen employees prepared an appetizing potato salad and thirst-quenching beverages.
After dinner, the guests prepared to spend the night at CYM. Plast scouts remained true in their ways even at CYM camp! Next to the CYM camp's main cabin, as if mushrooms following a warm summer rain, appeared a circle of Plast tents. Once all of the arrangements for the night were completed, both the Plast scouts and Sumivtsi set out for a campfire.
Participants of the "vykhovno-praktychnyj - Temnyj Bir" camp, also currently held at the Ellenville CYM campgrounds, joined the Counselor-training camp and Plast scouts for the campfire.
The honor of lighting the campfire was bestowed upon representatives of the four camps who gathered this evening by the campfire - two Plast camps as well as two CYM camps. As the evening progressed all were united by songs, equally dear to every Ukrainian, young and old, CYM or Plast.
The following day, after a commemorative assembly, all campers met with the President 
of the Ukrainian World Congress - Askold Lozynsky. He spoke at length about Ukrainian communities around the globe, as well as described his many visits with them. This was followed by a screening of "Undefeated" - a film about the UPA General Roman Shuchevych.
After lunch, a competitive volleyball tournament took place between twelve coed CYM and Plast teams. Two CYM teams battled to a tie for first place. Around five PM, after extending a warm invitation for CYM to visit "Vovcha Tropa" next summer, Plast boarded their bus to return to their campgrounds. Both CYM and Plast were left with many pleasant memories of this get-together for years to come...
 |
