Diocesan Church School Camp 2012 Filled with Fruit of the Spirit!
DCSCamp 2012 Filled with Fruit of the Spirit!

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

Diocesan Church School Camp 2012 Filled with Fruit of the Spirit!

The 2012 session of Diocesan Church School Camp was blessed with increased numbers of campers and staff from many of our parishes across the country.  The theme Fruit of the Spirit was explored throughout the two-weeks during church school classes and by encouraging the campers to live the fruits in their daily lives.

The encampment was honored to be visited by His Eminence Archbishop Antony and His Grace Bishop Daniel for a Spirit filled Divine Liturgy at which a 40-day Parastas (Memorial Service) was held in honor of our Beloved Metropolitan Constantine.  The camp pavilion was brightly decorated as a celebration of his life for the brunch provided for the guests and campers.  Larissa Kocelko, niece of His Beatitude, presented a check for $13,000 to complete the clergy cabin in his memory.  The campers engaged in a rousing competition of the "Fruit of the Spirit" song for which the Hierarchs chose a winner for the day.

The campers enjoyed various activities such as hiking and nature classes, cooking classes, Ukrainian dancing, campfires, skit night, games night and the mess games.  During crafts the campers created "Fruit of the Spirit" painted glass fruit plates, icon sun catchers and sculpture rocks.  The campers made two of each for the sun catchers and sculpture rocks so that one could be utilized in a project at the camp.

The special project tackled by the campers was to update the River Walk Prayer Trail.  The campers painted fences, repaired icon kiosks and benches, and created a new installation - the Fruit of the Spirit Garden.  A seven foot "tree" was erected with painted fruits inscribed with the spiritual fruits.  The sun catchers were hung on the tree and the scripture sculpture rocks were placed in the garden around the tree.

During the second week, the campers enjoyed a field trip to Jennings Environmental Center where they learned how to identify and catalog flora and fauna in the area as well as discovering fresh water communities.

The Fourth of July was action packed with a patriotic sidewalk chalk art competition. Guest speakers Fr. Anthony & PM Tina Perkins and Melissa Haluszczak who all spoke on ways to serve your country. Water balloon tosses, swimming, the 4th of July games including the Continental Congress Cornhole Toss and the Oklahoma Land Rush Sack Races, the movie Despicable Me, and a spectacular fireworks display. The next day Fr. John Haluszczak discussed the movie with the campers to discover how the main character developed the fruits of the spirit.

The campers loved hosting a few more guest speakers.  PM Iryna Mahlay spoke to the campers about Zoe House which is sponsored by Zoe for Life.  Mother Magdalena and Sister Martha of Holy Transfiguration Monastery spent the afternoon with us and were inundated with questions from the campers concerning the life at the monastery. Fr. Zinovy Zharsky, DCSC Spiritual Director, made a presentation on the properties and faith of water. 

It was hot, hot, hot this year at DCSC, subsequently additional swimming took place including several night swims - a camper favorite.  All agreed that DCSC 2012 was spectacular year filled with love, joy, peace, patience kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control!

DCSCamp 2012 Filled with Fruit of the Spirit!

DCSCamp 2012 Filled with Fruit of the Spirit! - 07/11/2012

Diocesan Church School Camp 2012 Filled with Fruit of the Spirit!

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