Latrine, 2006 All of the buildings at Novyi Sokil Ukrainian scouting camp were built to resemble village homes in Western Ukraine. This building houses male and female flushing toilets and showers.

Novachka, 2022 A young scout poses for me on her way back to her barracks. The uniform requires long brown socks, brown shoes, brown skirt or jumper, and the tan blouse. Many troops have a stash of these uniforms they hold onto to loan to campers for the summer.

Barrack, 2024 Mornings start with a shrill whistle above the sound of the chirping birds in the fragrant woods, followed by the stomping of many feet on the wooden planks of the barracks as they head to the latrine to get ready for the day.

Getting Ready, 2024 Two campers ready themselves and their tent prior to morning inspection. This time of day can be quite stressful as the cleanliness of their tents, uniforms and self care attribute to their daily ratings.

Marching Drills, 2024 Campers learn how to do marching drills with a counselor calling out instructions in Ukrainian and keeping beat with a whistle.

Time Capsule, 2022 The administration building is the headquarters for the folks running the camp, who are often using their vacation time from work to be there. A list of phone numbers hangs on the wall, some of these people are deceased, some haven’t been to camp in many years, or it’s that pizza place that closed during the pandemic. But they hang there as a testament to the stewardship of a cultural enclave that has kept this place alive.

Molytva (Morning Prayer), 2024 Every morning the flag is raised and the campers sing their morning prayers in uniform. The younger campers still have to learn to get dressed in a timely fashion, and correctly.

Khustka, 2022 This Ukrainian Scout is wearing a “khustka”, or traditional Ukrainian scarf over her T-shirt, shorts and jeans. The scarf is an important and beautiful symbol of Ukraine’s cultural heritage. I have one in black that is machine printed like in the photo. But historically khustkas are passed down through generations as a sacred item. Often we think of a Ukrainian babushka wearing a scarf on her head.

Sunday Mass, 2023 Those who are part of Plast are generally Ukrainian Catholics and prayers are sung every morning and evening, and mass is attended weekly. The local priest from Buffalo comes in to give a full mass at the “kaplytsia” (outdoor chapel.) Scouts have to stand the entire time no matter what the weather. They stand “at attention” for certain prayers and can then stand “at ease” for the remainder of the service. There is a lot of movement from the younger kids but the older scouts have developed stamina.

Novyi Sokil Welcomes You, 2023 All the signage at camp is in Ukrainian, except for the notices by the New York State health inspectors. The signs are stored away each year and well maintained by the stewards of the camp. This sign, along with fake sunflowers, a traditional symbol of Ukraine, were left behind after a popular Ukrainian folk band visited the camp.

Friends, 2024 During camp many campers experience bouts of homesickness, and hopefully there is a friend who can stand by to support.

Old Administration Building, 2023 There are several buildings not currently in use, but were built early on in the camp. One of these is the old administration building, that sits empty and barren with the exact musty dusty smells you might imagine.

Nina, 2018 Nina poses for me on the deck of her barracks, showing off her badges she has earned through her summers attending camp. The number eight represents her troop in New York, and she gets new “vidznaky” (swag, or the buttons on the shirt pocket) for each camp she attends. They make a satisfying clinking sound.

Sportova Ploshta, 2022: There is a huge field on the Novyi Sokil property called the “Sportova Ploshta” (Sports Field). It’s the place where marching often happens, sometimes visitors park their cars off to the sides, but mostly that where a lot of physical activity occurs. For the older scouts, there is no opting out: everyone has to participate.

Musical Chairs, 2022: A counselor used his smart phone and blue tooth speaker to lead a heated game of musical chairs, to Ukrainian folk music.

Zelenskyy Way, 2022 This image was made five months after Russia’s full scale invasion into Ukraine. Zelenskyy is a controversial figure amongst Ukrainians, like any leader, but it was important for these scouts to hang this sign in solidarity. There is a lot of waiting and hanging out in between activities, often times Ukrainian music is also playing in the background on a stereo.

Flags, 2024 The Ukrainian flag is a constant symbol at camp, from raising the flag every morning, to the ceremonial flag lowering and folding every night. Each camper is given a chance tp perform these duties during the three weeks.

Ivana Kupala, 2022: Every summer the older campers gather for a night called Ivana Kupala, a summer ritual rooted in Paganism where wreaths are weaved and songs are sung late into the night about love, nature and matchmaking.

Here We Use Only the Ukrainian Language, 2018 The camp is conducted all in the Ukrainian language, and the scouts are publicly rated on their language effort daily. This giant sign exists as a reminder of why they are there: to spend three weeks immersed in Ukrainian culture. Behind the sign, the older campers are gathering for singing practice. Song and recitation of Ukrainian are often practiced in preparation for evening campfires or when parents come to visit.

Emilia, 2023 Traditional Ukrainian costumery is reflected in crafts and activities at camp, focusing on embroidery and flower wreaths. Here, Emilia hailing from Chicago, poses for me on the deck of her barracks on the final day of camp which includes a song performance and traditional scouting ceremonies in their uniforms.

Kupyl, 2006 My mom attended Novyi Sokil in the 1950s when it first started and remembers having to bathe and swim in the small creek that borders the land. Eventually, a pool was installed that is now salt water and quite nice. Morning swim lessons are always daunting in the cool forest of Western New York, especially for those who are not strong swimmers, but “kupyl” (free swim) in the afternoon is a delight.

Blue and Yellow, 2022 There is a comfort to showing up to summer camp and having things still be the same, like the fresh smell of the woods, the signage, and shrill sound of the counselor’s whistle demanding you come line up on the lawn. Similar themes, like Ukrainian flag motifs, emerge each year during arts and crafts time.

Zbirka, 2022 When the shrill whistle sound is accompanied by the shouting of the word, “Zbirka!” it means it’s time to get up and get running to meet up for the next activity. These two friends were waiting together for swimming, ready for anything.

Younak, 2022 A teen scout waits for marching drills to commence on the lawn in front of of the latrine.

Wildflowers, 2024 The annual tradition to collect wild flowers and make head wreaths is a summer ritual. Around camp, one mainly finds Queen Anne's Lace and Goldenrod.

Vatra, 2022 Like other scouts, Plastuny (those who participate in Plast) learn how to build “vatras” (campfires) for evening activities. For this fire, all of the teen campers wore Ukrainian embroidered shirts for Ivana Kupala. This is a summer ritual based in Paganism where wreaths are weaved and songs are sung late into the night.

Ivana Kupala (Fire), 2024 One of the highlights for the older campers is jumping over the dwindling fire after a long night of singing songs and skits for the tradition called Ivana Kupala.