====== Oselia CYM Ellenville ====== [{{ :img_8107-min.jpg?direct&400|[[Entry Sign|Entry Sign for Oselia CYM Ellenville]]}}]Oselia CYM Ellenville (also called UAYA Camp, Cymivka), located in Ellenville, NY, is a campground, resort and Ukrainian heritage center used by members of the Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM). It was purchased by CYM in 1955 and has been used to host youth camps in the summer as well as various Ukrainian cultural events. ===== History ===== The Ukrainian American Youth Association (UAYA), commonly referred to as CYM, was first started in the United States in 1949. Originally focused on political aims, CYM shifted its mission towards educating nationally-conscious Ukrainian youth about their heritage and culture. This change was driven by the influx of Ukrainian immigrants to the United States during World War II. The organization's goals expanded to include fostering active community participation and spiritual development. In 1954, CYM's primary concern was finding a suitable property for its summer camps, where members could immerse themselves in Ukrainian culture. CYM's Holovna Uprava, or board of directors, formed a Search Committee, chaired by Mykola Semanyshyn, with members Hryhorij Czebrij, Mychaijlo Furda, and Yaroslaw Humeniuk. This committee was tasked with finding a suitable location and raising the funds necessary for the purchase. After extensive searching, they identified a 140-acre property known as Fontaine Manor House, located along Route 209, near Spring Glen and Ellenville, New York. The property, with its forested landscape, small lake, and Soundberg Creek, met most of the committee's criteria. The property featured 11 buildings and was located in a location that was within driving distance from most major cities on the Northeast Coast. Thanks to the generous financial support of CYM members, the purchase of this property was secured. To manage the new site, named Oselia, CYM's Holovna Uprava established its first directorship under Mykola Semanyshyn, including Holovna Uprava members and representatives from East Coast Oseredky. The directorship along with many volunteers undertook extensive renovations of the neglected property including painting, cleaning, renovation and clearing of overgrown forests. They also built a tribute to Ukrainian heroes, known as Trybuna. Over the days of June 18-19, 1955, the new Oselia was opened with a ceremonial blessing and became the central location for CYM members to experience Ukrainian culture and heritage. Post-inauguration, the focus shifted to further development. The CYM Oseredky of Trenton, NJ, and New York, NY, undertook significant renovations, adding 2 new barracks to add to the original 6, individual chapels for Catholic and Orthodox services, and refurbishing the main building, "Svitlytsia." By 1959, these upgrades were complete. Starting in 1960, Oselia saw a new phase of growth with plans for additional camp facilities and a new hotel. Mykola Semanyshyn’s development plan, presented to the Holovna Uprava, included building two additional barracks, a second hotel, a kitchen with dining facilities, a formal restaurant and a large hall/Svitlytsia with ballroom. This ambitious plan was set to unfold over 15 years and received full support of the Uprava. In 1964, the Holovna Uprava appointed a new board of directors for Oselia. From 1964 to 1971, this 16-member committee was led by Volodymyr Kostyk. The new directors, sharing the previous board's enthusiasm, continued the development plans with minor adjustments to priorities. Recognizing the need for a larger hotel to accommodate vacationers, visiting parents, and guests attending events, Oselia celebrated the opening of the "Krynytsia" building on July 4, 1965, just before the summer season. This new hotel featured 32 rooms, accommodating nearly 80 guests. Between 1967 and 1970, the focus shifted to renovating older buildings, upgrading plumbing, and improving infrastructure, including fencing off camp areas and renovating the Svitlytsia and kiosk. During this period, a new Komanda building was constructed, led by a committee from Passaic, NJ, Willimantic, CT, and Bayonne, NJ oseredky. A modern Svitylytsia (Zalia) was also built, featuring climate control, two main entrances, a large terrace, a ballroom for 450-600 guests, restrooms, a buffet, kitchen, and additional rooms for various uses. This facility now hosts conferences, seminars, and social events such as weddings and banquets. In 1962, Oselia unveiled a tribute to Ukrainian heroes to mark the 20th anniversary of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). Unveiled on July 21-22, 1962, during celebrations attended by nearly 5,000 Ukrainians, the tribute features cast stone busts of Simon Petlura, Evhen Konovalets, Roman Shukhevych-Chuprynka, and Stepan Bandera, commemorating their sacrifices for Ukraine's sovereignty. Dr. Lev Dobrianskyj, then head of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, led the opening ceremonies with representatives from various community organizations. The tribute remains a central feature of Oselia, with members honoring these heroes each summer during camps, Zdvyh, and Zlet. From its early days, CYM's Holovna Uprava and Oselia's directors recognized the need for quality sports facilities for campers. This included volleyball courts, a soccer field, track and field terrain, and tennis courts. While there were tennis courts on the property before CYM acquired it, they were severely neglected and in disrepair. At that time, Oselia lacked adequate sporting facilities. To address this, in April 1967, the decision was made to construct a new sports field. The Holovna Uprava appointed Yaroslav Petryk to lead the committee overseeing this project. Under his leadership, the sports field was completed in the summer of 1972. Although a ceremony was initially planned for June 1973 with a CYM Olympiad (Zlet), the event was rescheduled when other Ukrainian diaspora organizations expressed interest in participating. Consequently, the first-ever Zlet was held on June 25-26, 1973, attracting nearly 485 contestants from CYM, Plast, ODUM, and YTSAK, along with approximately 3,000 spectators. That summer also saw the successful launch of CYM's first sports camp, with 85 participants. In the years that followed, Oselia continued to realize the goals of its original 15-year construction plan, adding numerous new features to its grounds. In 1980, two regulation tennis courts were opened, making tennis a popular activity among both campers and vacationers. By 1982, Oselia unveiled an Olympic-sized pool, which quickly became a favorite attraction for seasonal visitors and campers. The pool’s presence led to the inclusion of swimming instruction in the summer sports camp program. The pool area became a popular spot for relaxation, with vacationers often lounging on chaises and socializing with friends. As Oselia's reputation grew, it began hosting not only summer camps and vacationers but also distinguished Ukrainian dignitaries. Notable visitors included political activist and historian Valentyn Moroz, former Ukrainian President Leonid Krawchuk, former President of the Ukrainian World Coordinating Council Mychailjo Horyn, and Cardinal Lubomyr Husar, Major Archbishop of Lviv, among others. In 1994, new and modern camping facilities were completed on the renowned "Blueberry Hill." Additionally, a beautiful new chapel in the Lemko architectural style was constructed to commemorate the lives lost during Aksia Visla (Operation Vistula). The chapel was ceremonially consecrated on June 26, 2005. ===== List of Facilities and Buildings ===== * A Frame Cabin * Administration Building (Administratstia) * Beach Volleyball Court * [[tabir|Camp Cabins (New Tabir)]] * Camp Komanda (New Tabir Komanda) * [[Tabir Pavillion|Camp Pavillion]] * Candy Store * Chapel of Archangel Michael - Mohila * [[Mohila|Hill of Monuments (Mohila)]] * Hotel (Krynytsia) * Husenyata Room * [[Zalia|Main Hall (Zalia or Svitlytsia)]] * Ballroom * Dibrova Bar * New Kitchen * Salon A * Motel (Roach Motel) * Original Boys Camp Cabins (Old Boys Tabir) * Original Chapel (Old Kaplitsia) * Original Girls Camp Cabins (Old Girls Tabir) * Original Kitchen * Original Komanda (Old Komanda) * Orthodox Chapel (Orthodox Kaplitsia) * Outdoor Kitchen (Polovnia Kyxnia) * Pavillion * Playground * Restaurant * Selo * Sports Field * Sports Field Bathrooms * [[Swimming Pool|Swimming Pool]] * Tennis Courts ===== Memorials, Monuments and Commemorative Works ===== * [[CYM Zalia Mural|CYM Zalia Mural]] * [[Tree of Life |The Tree of Life]] * [[Wings Mural|Wings Mural]]