Novyi Sokil is a Ukrainian summer camp hidden away in the forest outside of Buffalo, N.Y. It has been in existence since the 1950s and I, too, was a young camper there. This ongoing personal project examines how the diaspora preserves Ukrainian culture through scouting, rituals and language.

A group of children, mostly around 7 to 10 years old, stand in scout uniforms at an outdoor camp, with a central white boy tilting his head back. The group includes boys and girls of various races, with some wearing face masks.
The image shows a wooden picnic table with a bouquet of sunflowers on it, set in a forested area. Behind the table, there is a sign in Ukrainian that reads "Новий Сокіл вітає вас" (Novi Sokil welcomes you), indicating a camp or place named "New Sokil
A rectangular beige and green building stands in a forest clearing, with a partially open door. The surrounding trees are lush and the ground is covered in grass, creating a secluded and natural atmosphere.
The scene depicts diverse participants engaging in movement exercises with trees and a soccer goal in the background.
A young girl, approximately 7-9 years old, is holding a yellow triangular scarf in an outdoor setting. She appears to be Caucasian, with light brown hair and glasses, dressed in a scout or camp uniform.
A young girl with long brown hair of Ukrainian descent is seen from behind wearing a brown beret and a green scout scarf with a yellow symbol. She stands among other children, likely in a scouting or youth group setting, with several boys and girls
A young girl, likely in her early teens, sits on a log at a campsite surrounded by trees. She appears to be of Ukrainian descent, wearing a scout uniform, with tents and laundry visible in the background.
A group of adolescents, predominantly white, stands outdoors in scout uniforms while listening to a female leader in her teens with her back to the camera, pointing forward. The mixed-gender group appears attentive, with trees in the background sugge
A young adult man, possibly in his 20s or early 30s, is being helped by another young man to adjust his neckerchief in a scout uniform. In the background, a young girl in a scout uniform with a yellow neckerchief watches; all appear to be in an outdo
A group of children and teenagers, mostly of Caucasian descent, are gathered around a wooden structure in the outdoors, appearing to be part of a scouting or camping activity. The group consists of a boy and girls wearing scout uniforms, with one gir
A young girl, possibly around 10 years old, runs across a grassy field in an outdoor wooded area. She appears to be of Caucasian descent, wearing a brown uniform with black socks, possibly participating in a camp activity.
A young white girl, around 10 years old, stands in a scout uniform outdoors near a wooden structure. She wears a yellow neckerchief, brown boots, and holds a pair of sunglasses, with a calm expression on her face.
The image shows a wooden sign in the forest with red Cyrillic text that translates to "Only Ukrainian language is spoken here." The background includes trees and some camping supplies, such as a thermos and a bag, but there are no people visible in t
Three girls, approximately 10-13 years old, dressed in scout uniforms, standing in front of a wooden structure. They appear to be participating in a Ukrainian camp, with Ukrainian flags hanging above them.
This image shows a small wooden cabin situated in a dense forest, with trees surrounding it. The sign on the cabin is written in Ukrainian. There are no visible people in the image.
A young adult woman of Ukrainian descent, wearing a traditional embroidered scarf, sits in a crouched position on a wooden platform. She appears reflective, with light skin and blonde hair, dressed in a mix of traditional and casual clothing, includ
In the image, a person with a light skin tone holds a cluster of white wildflowers in a natural, green outdoor setting.
This image shows a wooded area with a dirt path leading up to a structure with wooden stairs. A sign featuring a red cross and text in Cyrillic is visible, likely indicating a first aid station. A bright orange traffic cone sits near the bottom of th
Three young boys, approximately 10-12 years old, of diverse racial backgrounds, wearing Ukrainian scout uniforms with yellow neckerchiefs, engage in a close conversation outdoors near a wooden shelter..
This is an image of a wooden mailbox with Cyrillic writing that reads "ПОШТА" (meaning "mail" in Ukrainian) and a U.S. address written above it. The text refers to "PLAST CAMP" and a location in North Collins, NY, indicating it might be part of a Uk
A group of young people sitting at a wooden bench in a rustic setting, with a focus on a person wearing a light blue patterned blouse and denim shorts, looking directly at the camera. Trees and an outdoor area are visible in the background.
This image shows a red Rubbermaid drink cooler labeled with handwritten Cyrillic script reading "ЛИМОНАДА" (lemonade). The focus is on the cooler, and no people are present.
This image depicts a rustic brick fireplace with a prominent crack running vertically through its center. The mantel features a colorful painting of a fleur-de-lis surrounded by small naturalistic elements like mushrooms, oak leaves, and clouds, alon
This image depicts a small wooden chapel set in a lush green forest. A Ukrainian older adult male Catholic priest, dressed in ornate religious robes, is standing in the chapel's entrance holding a book and performing a blessing gesture.
This image shows a group of children wearing scouting uniforms, including olive-green shirts, yellow scarves, and badges. One child is crying. The children appear to be standing outdoors, possibly during a ceremony or gathering in a wooded area. Ther
The image shows an outdoor scene with a priest, wearing a golden liturgical vestment, administering communion to a boy. The boy, dressed in a green scout uniform with badges, kneels on one knee and tilts his head back to receive the communion. Anoth
A group of people standing outdoors on a grassy area, partially visible from the knees down. The focus is on the legs of one individual wearing white sneakers and a skirt. Other individuals nearby are wearing casual shoes and jeans. Blue foam tubes l
Group of young Caucasian girls outdoors, one appearing to inspect another girl's hair, with varied expressions, set against a background of trees and grass.
Person igniting a large bonfire made of stacked logs and branches in a forest clearing, with flames starting to catch on the wooden structure during dusk.
A group of young children, around 8 to 10 years old, mostly boys and some girls, are seated in outdoor scout uniforms. They appear to be of Caucasian descent, focusing on a digital camera held by one of the boys.
A wooden cabin with a pitched roof is surrounded by a forest at dusk. Warm yellow lights shine through the windows, contrasting with the cool blue evening sky. The cabin has a porch with steps leading up to it, and clothes are draped over the railing
An image featuring a religious icon of the Virgin Mary and Child, framed and adorned with traditional Ukrainian embroidered fabric. The icon is displayed against a background of orange textured fabric with a wooden wall behind it.
A group of children and an adult are sitting around a table in a dimly lit room. The children appear to be eating, with some holding sandwiches. The adult, wearing a scout-like uniform, is gesturing while speaking to the children. A "First Aid for Ch
A young child, likely a girl, sits on the floor holding a drawing of two figures in front of a heart shaped like the Ukrainian flag. Nearby, another child with light skin and wearing red sneakers is partially visible.
Group of scouts in a wooden cabin, engaging in conversation and activities. The scene includes both boys and girls in scouting uniforms with various badges and colorful neckerchiefs, showcasing camaraderie and teamwork in a rustic setting.
A young boy wearing a red shirt leans on a wooden balcony railing, looking thoughtful. Behind him is a wooden building with a sign above the door that reads "President Zelenskyy Way." The scene includes rustic wood details and a bottle of sunscreen o
Group of young scouts standing outdoors in a grassy area surrounded by trees, wearing scout uniforms and looking in various directions with serious or neutral expressions.
A young girl stands outdoors in a grassy area, wearing a scout-like uniform that includes a beige long-sleeved shirt with a yellow necktie, a brown pleated skirt, burgundy knee-high socks, and dark sneakers. She appears calm and confident, with her l
A group of four boys dressed in scout uniforms is sitting on the wooden steps of a cabin. The uniforms are olive green with yellow neckerchiefs and various patches. One boy stands on the left, looking directly at the camera. Two boys sit in the middl
A sunflower plant in a black pot is adorned with two small Ukrainian flags on either side. A hand with blue-painted nails is gently holding the plant's stem. The setup is outdoors with greenery in the background, and the pot is placed on a wooden sur
A young woman sitting on a blue lounge chair by a chain-link fence, wearing a coral tank top, denim shorts, and a blue headband. A life preserver with yellow rope hangs on the fence in the background, with trees and a grassy area visible.
People swimming and relaxing in an outdoor pool with rippling blue water, surrounded by a fence and grassy area in the background.
Children playing an outdoor game in a grassy area, with several laughing and enjoying the activity. They are dressed in traditional embroidered clothing, and a wooden building is visible in the background. A photographer captures the moment from a di
Young girl standing outdoors in a grassy field, wearing a navy blue T-shirt with floral designs, light-colored shorts, and a yellow scarf tied around her neck, with trees and a fence in the background.
Children and camp staff stand outdoors in a grassy field surrounded by trees, with one child prominently holding a Ukrainian flag featuring the blue and yellow national colors and the trident emblem.
A young boy stands outdoors in a grassy area, wearing a traditional embroidered white shirt and light blue shorts. His right hand is partially covered by a black bandage. The background shows trees, blurred figures, and a small structure, suggesting
Two young girls stand outdoors wrapped in colorful beach towels with vibrant patterns. One girl wears a green and black zebra-striped swimsuit and pink sandals, while the other has on turquoise goggles, a swimsuit, and pastel-colored Crocs. Both have
A young man sitting on a wooden picnic bench in an outdoor park setting, surrounded by trees and a fenced area in the background. He is wearing a tie-dye yellow and blue T-shirt with Ukrainian symbols and text, along with camouflage shorts and a watc
A young girl wearing a khaki scout uniform with several colorful badges on her sleeve and a yellow neckerchief stands inside a rustic wooden cabin. She leans on a table, gazing confidently at the camera. The background shows wooden walls, a doorway,
Children gathered outdoors, two young girls embracing in the foreground. One girl wears a pink shirt, and the other wears a yellow jacket with braided hair. Other children, dressed casually, stand nearby, observing the scene amidst a lush green backg
This image shows a group of young girls, around ages 7-10, standing outdoors in scout-like uniforms, accompanied by two older teenage girls as leaders. The group is racially diverse, with all members appearing to be female, standing in a grassy area
A young boy wearing glasses and a scout uniform, including a yellow neckerchief and green shirt with badges, looks into the distance while shielding his eyes from the sun. He is outdoors, with blurred trees and a wooden structure visible in the backg
A small wooden gazebo with a moss-covered roof is situated in a lush forested area. Inside the gazebo is a round picnic table with benches. In the background, a rustic wooden building is partially visible, surrounded by tall trees and greenery. The s
A young boy stands on a grassy field, deep in thought with one hand resting on his chin and the other arm crossed. He is wearing a black T-shirt with text, red shorts, and white sneakers with red accents. A pink water bottle and other items are on th
A young person in a scouting uniform, standing on a wooden porch overlooking a grassy area with picnic tables and portable toilets in the background. They are engaged in an activity, possibly crafting or knot-tying, with their hand resting on a woode
A boy wearing a scout uniform stands outdoors in front of a wooden cabin. He is dressed in a green shirt adorned with badges, a yellow neckerchief, green shorts, and gray socks with sneakers. The grass around him is scattered with leaves, and the bac

Despite the multiple horrific attempts to cancel Ukrainian culture, the stewards of this camp represent a guiding force in preserving tradition. Through my photographs I study the parcel of land purchased by Ukrainian refugees generations ago so that they would always have a place to convene. It serves almost as a theater set where a changing cast of characters come to immerse themselves in scouting rituals. Attending Plast camp is a rite of passage for young Ukrainians in North America, and like any summer camp, there is fun, friends and bonding. But the tight grasp onto the deliberate, formal, conceptual structure of the scouting rituals, the celebration of the Ukrainian language, and the re-enacting of uniquely Ukrainian customs are part of the fight to hold onto a notion of home, the motherland: Ukraine.

Some history:

In 1912, the Ukrainian Scouting Organization, Plast, was officially formed in the occupied city of Lviv in Western Ukraine. Young boys, spurred by World War One and a newfound freedom, joined Plast and attempted to defend Ukraine against the Red Army. 1918 marked the start of decades of Russian and German occupation where Plast was banned, but continued to operate secretly and illegally. During this time the organization’s fundamental guide, Life in Plast, was written which outlined the laws, regulations, and codes that are still followed today. Plast regained popularity after World War Two, building camaraderie among women and in displaced persons camps as masses of Ukrainians, including my grandparents, re-settled internationally. Eventually, permanent diasporas were established, most of which promoted Plast as an active organization by holding weekly meetings and establishing summer camps.