Yearly Events

Vmilist Weekend

Every fall there is an opportunity for UPY members to fulfill the requirements for scout skills. During the weekend, young people gather at the Plast Oselia Vovcha Tropa (Wolf's Trail) and, with the organizers, go over and work on the skills needed to meet their merit badge requirements which they could not complete during the Plast year.

Orlykiada

An annual youth competition in October, at the Ukrainian oselia of Soyuzivka, organized by the Orlykivtsi kuren. Young people from all stanytsias in the United States and Toronto, Canada have the opportunity to show off their knowledge of a topic related to Ukraine, provided in advance by the organizers of the Orlykiada. Young men and women are scored by squads in three areas: in an oral interview, for an exhibit (visual project) and for behavior. A special moment of the Orlykiyada is the selection of the Hetman and Hetmanivna - exemplary young men and women, who have the honor of wearing this title all year round.

Maskarada

In Plast Newark, it is a tradition for the Novatstvo to participate in an annual masquerade during the Halloween season. UPN and Ptashata come dressed in costumes and enjoy a variety of fun activities planned just for them.

Visit from St. Nicholas

In December, during the St. Nicholas Day celebration, our youngest scouts are visited by St. Nicholas! UPN and Ptashata gather in the hall of the UACCNJ to watch a Christmas fairy tale, in which the oldest scout performs. After the performance, Nicholas usually comes and gives out gifts to the polite children, which their parents helped bring to the "Heavenly Chancellery".

Bethlehem Peace Light

Every year, Austrian scouts light a special lantern from this Bethlehem Peace Light and fly it to Vienna, Austria. From there, scouts of many nationalities transport the Light across borders to the various countries of Europe, including Ukraine. The Light is passed on from person to person, to all who are awaiting the Light. At this ceremony, the Light is shared with our Plast family. The Peace Light has become a Christmas tradition for many and is used to light the candles on Christmas Eve before dinner.

Svichechka

Plastova Svichechka takes place on the first Saturday in January after the Christmas holidays, according to the old calendar. On this day, our Plast stanytsia gathers at the UACCNJ, where our Plastuny sing carols. The Bethlehem Peace Light is passed out. After the official assembly, the members of the UPN and UPY go to sing carols at the homes of Ukrainian residents of the area.

Kolyada

This Christmas tradition is cherished by scouts, visiting Ukrainian residents of local neighborhoods.The Christmas caroling takes place after Svichechka and sometimes for weeks after.

Stiyka pry Bozhomu Hrobi

On Good Friday before Easter, scouts perform the solemn duty of standing guard at the Shroud in the Church of St. John the Baptist, located in Whippany. Novatstvo and Yunatstvo volunteers stand at attention in full uniform until the next set Plastuny arrives to relieve them – usually for one hour.

Svyato Yuriya

In the spring, the Scouts honor the patron saint of Plast, St. George the Snake-Slayer and the Victorious, with a two-day event at a Plast oselia which changes yearly. Here, under the leadership of the senior Scouts, young men and women from different stanytsias accross the United States come together to test their Plast knowledge. These Plastuny spend the night under tents in nature, cook for themselves, compete in field competitions, and socialize. Traditionally, St. George's Day takes place before the end of May, during the American Memorial Day holiday.

Svyato Vesny

Every year, Novatstvo welcomes spring with a one-day program in nature. The Spring Festival typically takes place at a local park, led by senior Plastuny. The program usually includes field games, fun, singing, a picnic, and a bonfire.

Plast Camps

A key event in the scout program is camping in nature. It should be remembered that completing a summer camp is a requirement for advancing to the ranks of the UPN and UPY. There are different camps: three-week educational and practical camps, held at Plast oselias, specialized "special" camps, e.g. marine, leschetarsky, equestrian, sports, and others, e.g. Forest School, Bulava School and Golden Bulava (in Canada). Every scout is obliged to participate in the camps.

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