AULIC 2008: Educational! Entertaining! as well as a Memorable Occasion!

August 28, 2008 -- August 7 to 15, 2008 was the eighth anniversary of the Adult Ukrainian Language Immersion Camp (AULIC) held at Trident Camp at Crystal Lake, Saskatchewan. AULIC 2008 retained the major enhancement to the program, that was introduced in 2006 where participants had the option of staying for the Extended Program (the weekend plus an extra five days) after the traditional four-day weekend. And they were not disappointed -- it was a great opportunity for the participants to improve their Ukrainian grammar and speaking skills and have a great time polishing their language skills plus learning many traditional Ukrainian folk songs.

Enrollment numbered 24 this year with a third staying on for the Extended Program. They came from across western Canada. Half of the participants attended AULIC for the first time and the remaining at least twice, some of which have been to AULIC every year since its inception! Many new participants learned of the project through AULIC’s web site, www.aulic.ca.

The AULIC program offered three levels (Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced) of Ukrainian language instruction throughout the day. Instructors this year included Anita Drebot of Regina, a Ukrainian language teacher of many decades; and native Ukrainians: Oksana Sholdra of Regina, trained in Ukraine and a Sadochok teacher and choreographer in Regina and Olena Kovpak another teacher recently from Ukraine and presently working with SaskLearning and teacher in the Separate School system in Saskatoon. Participants enjoyed a trip to the Ukrainian Heritage Museum and Ukrainian Catholic church in Canora.

Evenings were spent singing, dancing, watching Ukrainian videos and participating in Ukrainian cultural activities. Anita Drebot instructed participants on Ukrainian embroidery while Sharon Harras demonstrated the finer points of Easter Egg decorating.

On Saturday night, special guests from Canora, Yorkton and area were invited to AULIC to enjoy the Svitlana Restaurant Program. After dining on a delicious meal, the guests witnessed the many talents of the instructors and participants throughout the evening as they played musical instruments, sang songs, performed skits, and danced.

AULIC 2008’s Organizing Committee consisted of Tony Harras, Wayne Hydeman, Ed Lysyk, Ken Mazur, Katie Oleski and Rhonda Slugoski. This year’s modest early registration fee was $185 for the four-day weekend and $310 for the Extended Program. AULIC would not be possible without the sponsorship of the Ukrainian Orthodox Men’s Association of Regina (UOMA) and the Ukrainian Canadian Professional & Business Association of Regina (UCP&B), and the financial support of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Saskatchewan Provincial Council & Regina Branch, and the Saskatchewan Organization for Heritage Languages and SaskCulture.

For more information, please visit our web site at www.aulic.ca or contact Tony Harras at (306) 586-6805 or harras@sasktel.net

Planning is already underway for 2009 (tentatively booked for August 6 to 14)!