UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE USA
CONSISTORY OFFICE OF YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
PRESS RELEASE

Diocesan Church School Camp Completes Successful Year!

Youth ages 9-13 and staff of our Holy Ukrainian Orthodox Church from California to Rhode Island gathered at All Saints Camp from June 21- July 3 for Diocesan Church School Camp.  The encampment led by Spiritual Director Rev. Fr. Zinoviy Zharsky, assistant Spiritual Director Rev. Fr. Anthony Perkins and encampment director Natalie Kapeluck Nixon, witnessed one of its best years to date!

The program revolved around the Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry theme for 2009-2010 "I Believe... the Nicene Creed."  Throughout the encampment the campers and staff participated in daily church school classes, crafts, singing, swimming, special interest classes and sports. 

Some special highlights of the encampment included a special visit by His Beatitude Metropolitan Constantine, Ukrainian Folk Music concert by Nadia Tarnawsky, Brandon Vance, John Harbist and the Girls in the Kitchen Trio, visitation of the Laurel Manor Elderly Center, Camp Blessing, 4th of July Celebration, and boy night/girls night out.

Two special projects, that are jointly being created with Teenage Conference and Mommy & Me/Daddy & Me camp are a camping ministry liturgical music CD and a short film visually portraying the Nicene Creed. The campers conducted three recording sessions for the CD and order forms for the CDs will be available in August.

During the encampment the campers developed the Top 10 ways of becoming more holy within our own lives. Their list is as follows:
1. Forgive
2. Worship
3. Donate Money
4. Read the Bible
5. Teach about the faith
6. Live what you believe
7. Go to church
8. Volunteer you time
9. Spend more time with priests and bishops
10. Follow the 10 Commandments

Our camping season continues with Teenage Conference beginning on Sunday July 5, 2009.  Please keep the campers and staff in your prayers through July 18th. Mommy & Me/Daddy and Me camp is still accepting application for its August 3rd start date. For more information about our camping ministry go to www.uocyouth.org or contact the Consistory Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry at uocyouth@aol.com or 412-279-1076.