With God's help, the parish summer camp which has been held at St. Michael the Archangel Parish since 2018, has come to a close. As 2026 in the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is dedicated to the theme of vocation, campers spent three weeks reflecting on God's call, exploring its meaning, whom God calls, how He calls, and how each person can respond to that call.
This year, the camp brought together 164 children between the ages of 6 and 15. Together with teachers, cooks, activity leaders, and organizers, the camp community included 197 people. Over the course of three weeks, the camp provided a special environment of joy, prayer, friendship, and spiritual growth.
Each day, participants attended camp from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Daily Divine Liturgies, communal prayer, and catechetical sessions formed an important part of the program. The camp schedule was rich and diverse, offering sports competitions, creative workshops, bansi dancing, and opportunities to discover the beauty of Ukrainian traditions. Among the highlights were wreath-making and a reenactment of a traditional Ukrainian wedding with its folk customs.
Each child also had the opportunity to decorate a pysanka and create clay crafts. A floral arrangement workshop was especially popular among the participants.
Representatives of the police and fire departments visited the camp and conducted engaging educational sessions, teaching children about safety and appropriate responses in various situations.
Campers also enjoyed memorable experiences during water days with slides, a foam party, cotton candy, popcorn, and an evening parish program. A particularly meaningful experience for the oldest group was an overnight stay at the parish, which included shared prayer, conversations, and reflections on the challenges of the modern world, vocation, and the responsibilities of young people entering adulthood.
Spiritual care for the camp was provided by three priests: Father Vasyl Kharuk, Father Ostap Mykytchyn, Father Vasyl Latchuk, and Sister Anna Andrusiv of the Order of Saint Basil the Great.
Especially encouraging was the fact that the camp brought together children not only from St. Michael the Archangel Parish but also from seven other Ukrainian parishes. Nearly half of the participants were children who arrived in the United States from Ukraine following the outbreak of the full-scale war.
An important aspect of the camp is that although it takes place in America, it remains a Ukrainian-speaking environment. For three weeks, children communicated in Ukrainian while learning about Ukrainian customs, traditions, culture, and the Christian heritage of the Ukrainian people. This experience helps them not only enjoy a meaningful summer vacation but also preserve their Ukrainian identity, love for their native language, and respect for their roots.
The camp is more than just a summer getaway. It is a place where children grow in faith, build friendships, discover the beauty of Ukrainian traditions, and learn to become good Christians and proud Ukrainians.
At the conclusion of the camp, the organizers expressed their gratitude to everyone who contributed to its success and shared their hope that this important mission will continue in the years ahead.
Based on information provided by camp organizer Lilia Melnychuk.
