UOO 2009 Camp - Day 9

After a hiatus for three days to catch up at work, I rejoined the camp kids for a four-day weekend of excitement. It was hugs all around as I rounded up and loaded all the kids into the big brown van.

First stop, Horseback Riding! Our good friends and yearly volunteers, the Welzigs, have us out every year to ride their tame and child friendly horses. This is a big hit for them as most of them have never touched a horse, much less ridden one! The Welzigs grilled burgers and brats for us before we had to leave for the next event. Thanks Welzig's!

Pool Day at Sunset pool was next. Sunset is an outdoor pool with three spring boards of varying sizes and two water slides. Sunscreen was applied and our spot was set up. Soon, all of our campers were jumping of the high-dive board! Wow, what brave kids! They had a lot of fun as the weather threatened. It held off for an hour and a half while we got in some quality swim time. However, all good things must come to an end as we were chased inside a cold rainstorm.

We loaded up the van for our next event, a Potluck Dinner at the Stoesz house. Thanks to all of our generous volunteers, we had lots of leftovers from the previous two days, so there were a variety of yummy dishes to chose from. We said "dobre noche" (goodnight) to the kids as my family retired to our home for rest and sleep. We had a big day and an early wake-up for Friday's events!

~Felix ~

Late-Breaking Adoption News

We interrupt our regularly scheduled UOO camp activities to bring you this late-breaking message. As of today, we passed our clearances for adoption. We immediately hired our facilitator in Ukraine and the homestudy is completed and being written. Next up is the USCIS stuff. We are on our way to bring Rimma home by year's end. We hope for something to break loose soon for Zina as well and I won't hesitate to petition for her, even though her one year clock will be ticking. The power of prayer has the strength to overcome all obstacles!

~ Felix ~

UOO 2009 Camp - Day 6, 7, 8

Due to the fact that I expected the camp kids to be up in the mountains from Sunday to Wednesday, I had decided to put in some work at the office rather than burn through all my leave and vacation. So, that's where I've been for the past three days. Remember on our last post I told you that the camping trip was cancelled due to complications with the weather, the camp site and stuck equipment. The UOO team immediately implemented Plan B. I don't have a detailed account of the goings on because I wasn't there, but here's the low-down of the past three days events as told to me.


On Monday, the kids went to Estes, CO and to the Rocky Mountain National Park. They got to drive the trail ridge road, hike in the mountains and scramble up a few huge boulders. The highlight of the trip was the gondola ride up to the top of Prospect Mountain. Once there the got to take in the wonderful views and feed the chipmunks.




On Tuesday, the kids went to a metal museum in Ft. Collins, CO. I hear it was a lot of fun and they saw sculptures that were unbelievable. They then ventured over to Fort Fun, also in Ft. Collins. I hear that the place was a blast.

Wednesday was a down day for rest and swimming at the a volunteer's home. The kids wanted to help and give back to their hosts. Here they are washing the 12 passenger van and having a fun time getting wet.


I'll be back in the fun starting tomorrow. We have Rec center swimming, horseback riding, dental visits, a Walmart shopping trip, a matinee movie, the Rogé Open House, the Greeley parade, a fairgrounds tour, fireworks, a BBQ or two, and Field Day all coming up through this weekend. Visit the UOO website for planned activities and do come out and participate. It's never too late!

~ Felix ~

UOO 2009 Camp - Day 5

Bad news! The 4 day camping trip that the kids were supposed to go on has been cancelled due to horrible conditions at the campsite. Why not just move it, you say? Well, each year we partner with Wilderness Adventures to give us the camp experience. We help them with their annual dinner event and they in turn help us with the camping. So, all of their equipment, tents, trailers, cooking grills are stuck in the mud up in the Lake Granby area. Therefore, we can't move it to another location or reschedule it. That's OK, though. The UOO team has a backup plan and we sprung into action.

Dima serves it up!

Yesterday after church service in Loveland, we went to the local park and had lunch. The kids got to play in the river and with the water toys at the park. It was a great success! We then went to the Stoesz house for games and dinner. The kids rode their first American bicycles, got into a water fight with squirt guns and perused the Stoesz farm. Just a quick note on the squirt guns, why didn't they have those cool, technically advanced toys when I was a kid! Darn it!

"Big" Dima showing his bike skills

Dinner was a a choice of lasagna or spaghetti, or both! Bread, salad and veggies were our sides. Since we still had birthday cake in abundance from Saturday, that was desert.

Marina is usually all smiles

Tomorrow the kids will go to Rocky Mountain National Park. I have to return to work for a couple of days to pay the bills. Clarke and Kari will take on the task for the first part of the week. I'll be sure to ask them how things went and report back to you.

Nastya is quite good on skates

~ Felix ~

UOO 2009 Camp - Day 4

On Saturday we held our annual camp birthday party. If you're not familiar with this event, let me explain. The orphanages in Ukraine only celebrate mass birthdays twice a year and some orphans aren't aware of their birth day. Heidi and I witnessed one such celebration at SB last November. There are no cakes or presents and usually the treat is a bowl of fruit. We at UOO decided a couple of years ago to have our own mass birthday party complete with games, hot dogs, cake, ice cream, presents, punch and even a pinata or two. This pivotal event is remembered by the kids for the rest of their lives. I have had the orphans tell me so on our trips to Ukraine.

Our next event of the day was an evening at the Colorado Speedway in Erie, CO. There were several categories of races and the kids were asked to present the trophy to the winner of this 30 lap race. Tickets, dinner & drinks were donated by the generous owners of the Speedway and they even reserved a section at the finish line for the kids! Thanks CO Speedway!

Sasha seems a bit concerned that his driver is in the back of the pack. What a cute, angelic face, and a sweet kid!

~ Felix ~

UOO 2009 Camp - Day 3

Day three started when the kids ventured out to Bounce, an indoor bouncing/fun center in Loveland. They had a blast on the several huge blow-up toys. Lunch was served and the group departed for bowling at Sweetheart Lanes in Loveland. Everyone scored a strike and there were smiles abound! Here, Natalie Stoesz & Josh Volf share a lane with Sasha & Vova.

Again, breakfast, lunch and dinner were supplied, cooked and prepared by our wonderful volunteers. Thanks Guys!

~ Felix ~

UOO 2009 Camp - Day 2

Today the kids started out with a trip to Miller farms to pick huge, yummy vegetables. As always, this is a huge event because Ukrainian kids love vegetables. The Miller farm grows 'em big, too! Pictured above, Ryha Stoesz leads the way for us! Picture below, there's always time for a pedal-tractor race at Miller Farms!

Most of these veggies end up in our annual community dinner, which is scheduled this year for July 12th from 5-9 pm. Do come out for it if you can. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Kids are free! So come feed the family, meet the kids, and enjoy some good times!

More down time was in order as the kids returned to the Lake house for more boat rides and swimming. We ended the day with a meal provided by one of our many volunteers. Thank you all, this camp couldn't happen without your support!

~ Felix ~