In the
forests of the Kučaj mountains, six kilometers from Mikulj rock and Novi
Stjenik Monastery, in the valley of the Demižlok stream, at the entry to
Lazar canyon, with the traditional slogan “With Faith in God, for the King and
Fatherland,” the fourth session of the St. Lazar’s Youth camp passed very
successfully.
This year
there were over thirty attendees the camp, more than twice as many as the
camp’s original capacity.
The camp
participants included children from all over Serbia and the Serbian diaspora.
As in previous years, Russian children and youths also participated.
Following
its tradition, the SPOK program was quite rich. All ten days of the camp were
bursting with various scout activities, catechism, patriotic classes, and
lively socializing, all in the picturesque surroundings of Southern Kučaj’s
mountain forests and glades.
The
Lazar obstacle course, which was introduced last year, roused a competitive and
encouraging spirit in the campers.
A new
activity this year was a day trip to Hajduk (bandit/freedom fighter) Cave in
the Mikulj canyon, at the end of the far left arm of the greater Lazar canyon. The visit included a six-kilometer hike to
and from the canyon (12 kilometers hiking total) and outdoor navigation with
the help of a topographical map. The Hajduk
is a lovely, spacious cave full of subterranean beauty.
Along with
catechism, history and patriotism classes, and spiritual conversations with the
Fr. Stefan, the spiritual father of the camp, there were classes in surviving
in the wilderness, first aid, folk dancing, singing, and practical skills like
washing one’s clothes by hand. Everyone will again have nice memories of
singing pious and patriotic songs around the campfire and the already-traditional
roasted lamb on the spit, which this year because of the greater number of
campers had to be doubled.
The SPOK
volunteers met their very demanding task worthily. The kitchen, run by two Novi Stjenik nuns and
several volunteers worked at full steam almost nonstop. Huge emptied-out pots and pans after meals
witnessed to the cooks’ success.
New
friendships were made, which brought on tearful goodbyes at the end of the
camp.
We would
like to take this opportunity to thank all those who through their donations,
labor and self-sacrifice made this year’s session of the St. Lazar camp so
successful for the benefit of its participants, all to the glory of Christ Our
God.
No comments:
Post a Comment