Last updated on 2022-09-09
Note: while many of these topics are true for Plast members across the world, I wrote this with USA members in mind. Is your country’s take missing? Consider contributing.
- I thought they were making this up!
- Why are there Ukrainian scouts in America?
- What happens during the 3 week summer camps?
- My friend mentioned traveling to the Catskills to compete in a Plast quiz bowl (Orlykiyada)
- My friend mentioned making involved flower crowns, jumping in bodies of water to retrieve the flower crowns, getting paired up, and jumping over fires: what’s that all about?
- Do you actually leave campers alone for 3 days and 2 nights?
- Your scouting uniform looks like it’s straight out of the 70s…
- Why does my friend travel all over North America for a dance?
- What do you usually do as counselors?
- My friend described a training camp in Canada where they had to cook their food over a fire: what’s that all about?
- How do you meet people from all around the world?
I thought they were making this up!
Nope! We exist.
Why are there Ukrainian scouts in America?
It’s an interesting history, but long story short our great grandparents and grandparents brought Plast to the countries they emigrated to after they fled the Soviet Union. While the Soviet Union doesn’t exist anymore, we’re still around! Plast now exist in Ukraine and many other countries.
What happens during the 3 week summer camps?
In the USA, Plast members attend 3 week camps. They sleep in tents, and (should) have no access to the internet. Typical activities include Pioneering/Bushcraft, sports, orienteering, capture the flag, first aid, swimming, hiking, canoeing, and singing by a campfire. At least 1 Saturday of the 3 weeks is laundry day, and family are able to visit.
My friend mentioned traveling to the Catskills to compete in a Plast quiz bowl (Orlykiyada)
Орликіяда (Or-ly-ki-YA-da) is a competition that takes place right around prime SAT taking time in the USA – early November. Each year, the coordinating committee announces the competition’s theme, which is usually tied to Ukraine. Events can change over the years, but there’s usually a question/answer portion, a presentation/diorama, and a skit. There’s also a dance. The winning teams get a plaque, and bragging rights for the year.
In addition to the main Plast quiz bowl, each team can send one boy and one girl to compete in a special competition to be named the year’s “Hetman” and “Hetmanivna.” You win the right to open and close the competition wearing a hat, cape, and carrying a decorative mace (bu-la-va).
My friend mentioned making involved flower crowns, jumping in bodies of water to retrieve the flower crowns, getting paired up, and jumping over fires: what’s that all about?
We usually learn about the pagan traditions of the Kupalo festival, or Ivana Kupala. Learn more about Kupalo on Wikipedia or the Encyclopedia of Ukraine (both resources in English).
Do you actually leave campers alone for 3 days and 2 nights?
Yes and no. There are some camps (not all!) that let older campers try the merit badge “3 Quills.” This merit badge involves living alone in the woods for 3 days and 2 nights. That said, here’s how we make sure things are kept safe:
- the activity is 100% optional – you do not have to do this to move forward in the organization
- campers are allowed to take limited food, water, tools, and articles of clothing with them
- counselors check up on the campers at least every 12 hours to make sure they are ok
- counselors can (and will) evacuate campers if need be.
Your scouting uniform looks like it’s straight out of the 70s…
Yes! Our scouting uniforms have not officially changed since the 70s, so they look very retro. Berets and knee highs are involved.
Why does my friend travel all over North America for a dance?
Malanky (singular: malanka) and debutants (yes, those debutants) are not officially part of the Plast program, but many Plast members organize and attend these dances. They are a great way to catch up with the friends you made over the summer.
What do you usually do as counselors?
Depends on what kind of counselor you are. If your friend is a counselor for ages 6-11, think lots of games, arts and crafts, and themed nights. If your friend is a counselor for ages 11-18, there will be a lot of bushcrafting, along with other traditional scouting activities (sleeping in tents, hiking, canoeing, sports, etc).
My friend described a training camp in Canada where they had to cook their food over a fire: what’s that all about?
If your friend was 14-16 years old while attending camp, this was most likely the camp of Zolota Bulava (Golden Mace). This is a teen leadership camp that happens in Canada, Ukraine, and more recently in Australia.
If your friend is over 17, they are most likely talking about 1 of two camps: Lisova Shkola (Forest School) or Shkola Bulavnykh (School of Counselors). The Forest School is for men, while the School of Counselors is for women. The programs are different, but in essence it’s a camp where you learn the basics of being a camp counselor. This camp usually happens in the Catskills or the Carpathian mountains.
How do you meet people from all around the world?
We meet Canadian plastuny several ways: attend the Zolota Bulava camp (Golden Mace), participate in Orlykiyada (Plast quiz bowl), or UMPZ.
Every 5 years Plast has an international jamboree abbreviated UMPZ. Plast members from all around the world fly to one place and do all sorts of activities over the course of 10-14 days. It all ends with a Plast festival, and of course a campfire.