Despite the threat of rain and chilly evening temperatures, the second annual Ukrainian American Youth Association (CYM) Osinnya Rodynna Prohulka (Fall Family Outing) took place from October 6-7, 2012 on the grounds of the CYM Oselia in Ellenville, NY. The weekend outing was organized by Branch 54 of CYM "Khersones" in Stamford, CT and was open to all CYM members between the ages of 6-12. Twenty three children and 46 parents participated in a variety of exciting outdoor activities.

The weekend began with a formal CYM Apel and went on to include an interesting lecture on First Aid in which the children were given the opportunity to practice wrapping bandages and splints on one another. Following, the children listened to an introductory discussion about the Ukrainian Kozaks and the formation of Sich, their legendary, impenetrable fortress on the rapids of the Dnipro River. The discussion also included the tight bond and devotion to the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary that has always existed within the Ukrainian nation, dating back to the early days of the Kozaks. After a delicious lunch cooked over an open fire, the children went on to participate in a course on orienteering. An opportunity to test their skills firsthand came next when they went on to play a game all around the grounds of the Oselia. Mixed teams of parents and children competed against one another using their compasses and given GPS coordinates to find clues and directions that would take them to the next location. The teams came back exhausted but exhilarated by the adventure!

Later that evening, all of the girls were invited to learn the art of traditional Ukrainian gerdany (beaded jewelry) making. Though intricate and challenging to master, each young lady enjoyed learning about this national art form and making herself a bracelet to take home as a wonderful keepsake. Meanwhile, the boys never missed a beat and took pleasure in a friendly soccer match on the sports field. Once night fell, both children and parents enjoyed dancing under the stars in a genuinely friendly and familial spirit. Everyone reveled in the enchanting melodies of traditional and contemporary Ukrainian songs that echoed throughout the hills and valleys of CYM Oselia. Before retiring to their tents for the night, parents and children cozied up to the bonfire, sang songs and enjoyed the perfectly clear, starry evening.

Following Mass at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Kerhonkson, NY on Sunday morning, the rest of the program continued. Given that this year marks the 1,025th anniversary of the mass baptism of the people of Ukraine-Rus' in 988 in the river Dnipro by Kniaz Volodymr Velykyj, the last lecture of the weekend was devoted to this subject and the timing of it was most apropos. Finally, the time came for the participants to break camp and pack up for the return home. Everyone felt most grateful that their prayers were heard and the weather stayed dry the entire time they were at Oselia, the sun even making a guest appearance on Saturday afternoon. This year’s campers truly embodied the spirit of the CYM slogan "гартуйсь!" ("Be ever prepared and unyielding!") and neither rain nor cold temperatures could get in their way of having a great time.

Many thanks go to the Administrators of CYM Oselia who facilitated the outing, to all the CYM parents who helped organize the weekend and especially to the guest lecturers who participated: Jurij and Ihor Stecko from CYM New York City, Ihor Mirchuk from CYM Philadelphia, Severyn Hummeny and Bohdanna Puzyk both of CYM Stamford, CT and Father Ivan Kaszczak, Pastor of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church. Overall, everyone walked away from the Prohulka feeling like they'd grown closer to one another as a CYM family and are already looking forward with anticipation to next year's trip.

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Obizhnyk - Fall Outing