THOUGHTS REGARDING THE FIRST WEEK OF CAMP
Shadeland, PA - Each week at St. Sava Camp at Shadeland is week-long structured experience intended to provide great Christian joy for the campers, counselors and adults involved. The Shadeland Committee with the leadership and Archpastoral guidance of His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN works throughout the year to improve St. Sava Camp and to expand the use of the camp facilities. Millie Radovick, KSS Federation President, KSS Vice-President DeeDee Baskot and Vesna Meinert invest much time and effort in advance preparations for each summer camp season and work throughout the camp period.
Parent entrust their sons and daughters to the camp and expect they will be in a safe Serbian Orthodox Christian environment. The hope is that each camper will end the week more enriched in Christ with great memories and stronger healthy relationships formed and renewed during each camp season.
Counselors come as young adults seeking to be of help and to gain experience in this beautiful setting. Kolo members from many different parishes in addition to interested adult men volunteer their time to support and strengthen the camp. The Standing Committee on Christian Education with representatives appointed by the respective Bishops of each Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America prepares and develops a common curriculum for use in all of the camps across the land.
His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN makes the trip each Tuesday during the camp season to sit with the campers, teaching, talking, asking and answering questions. This year the camp theme is “Through the Eye of a Needle: Poverty and Wealth in the Orthodox Church.” Classes are held throughout the week. Campers also having Vespers, morning and evening prayers and Divine Liturgy once per week. During the first week of camp the Divine Liturgy was served on the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.
Priests for the first week were Father Rajko Kosic and Father Rodney Torbic. Camp Director Father Zivojin Jakovljevic came to greet the campers at the evening opening session. Each night the campers had have a full schedule of activities. On Sunday the get acquainted bonfire was held.
A country-western themed evening was held on Monday. The campers were treated to a night of bowling on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday two wagon loads of campers toured the area around Shadeland on a hayride. Thursday was the traditional day at Waldameer Park where the water park and amusement rides provided a day of fun. Friday night was a night for kolo dancing.
Each day included time for arts and crafts, swimming, boating, soccer, volley ball, basketball and other recreational activities. Elaine Vucelich came as she does each year the first week to provide leadership in the preparation of food. Cathy Stupar is a regular the first week as the camp nurse. Lana Joy Balach served as a photographer throughout the first week. Counselors included Head Counsellor Alexis Vranesivich, with Amanda Bilak, Dragana Masich, Mila Vranesevic, Jovana Zaremeba, Mark Roberston, Mike Vranjes, Alex Ostojich, Mirjana Ruzicic, Sinisa Hrancevic, and Robert Marshall. A talk by Sgt. Ray Sanchez of the New York City Police Department also was included in the first week of camp.
The campers received seventeen hearty meals during the week in addition to snacks during the day and evening. St. Sava camp nourishes the soul, the mind, the heart and the body. One young camper coming for the first time said she wanted to return for four weeks next year.
Father Rodney Torbic
