In Dubno, adults and children learned the basics of Plast
What Plast is and how it works was explored yesterday, September 25, in Dubno. The Dubno Community Foundation, with the support of the Department of Youth and Sports of the Dubno City Council, organized a presentation about the National Scout Organization of Ukraine on Ostrivok.
Plast is a non-political and non-denominational organization whose goal is to promote comprehensive patriotic education and self-development of Ukrainian youth based on Christian morality. There are no age restrictions for membership in the organization. The principles of its educational method are based on learning and development through play and work, self-governance in groups, exploration of nature and life within it, and fostering the interests and abilities of children and youth.
“Plast is truly a healthy environment where children can be themselves, where they are accepted as they are, where they can discover their talents because there is a system of skills and specialized camps for this purpose. Only the principles of voluntariness operate here,” says the head of the Smyga Plast branch, Halyna Rudnik. Adults should join Plast to help create a healthy environment for children, where they will learn to love God, Ukraine, and explore themselves and their surroundings. We raise children based on Christian values. They learn to do good deeds, we encourage them to do so, and they even keep journals of good deeds, noting when they have done something helpful for someone.”
Ms. Halyna brought Plast members from the Smyga territorial community branch. The girls shared what they liked about Plast and explained why one should join the scouting organization.
“Here, the atmosphere is interesting and very pleasant, it is easy to communicate with people and make new acquaintances. You know that in Plast, a friend will always lend a helping hand, support you, and you will never be mistreated. Plast does not interfere with studying at all,” shares Bohdana Zhytnytska.
She is complemented by Sofiia Rudnik:
“I really like it here because there are various activities, camps, we travel a lot, and make many new acquaintances. I recommend everyone to join Plast because it is interesting, brings many positive emotions, and new friends.”
9-year-old Anastasiia Makarets mentions that she saw information about the branch on Facebook and wanted to join, and her parents supported this desire.
“I like the trips and camps organized by Plast the most,” says the girl.
After learning about Plast’s activities, the branch members eagerly participated in a quest and a workshop. After a snack, they sat by the fire, sang songs, and played Plast games.
“We have a daughter, she is 5 years old. When we saw the presentation announcement, we decided to come. Her father was once passionate about Plast and wants to involve our daughter in it. The only problem is that there is no organization in Dubno,” shared event participant Ms. Iryna. Her husband, Mr. Oleh, summed up his impressions as pleasant and great:
“I want my daughter to be in Plast too.”
“In Dubno, there are several organizations that support youth group activities, where children and teenagers develop their skills: painting, dancing, singing, engaging in decorative and applied arts, etc. However, there is no environment in our city where young people can comprehensively develop physically, morally, spiritually, and in a national-patriotic sense. The Plast system is one of the best methods for personality development. And systematic work with youth should begin with the establishment of a branch in Dubno,” notes Mykola Mandziuk, head of the Dubno Community Foundation “Dobrobut.”
The head of the Smyga territorial community branch wished for someone in Dubno to understand why it is important to invest in the development of children, but only on a voluntary basis. So if you are interested in Plast, would like to organize a branch in Dubno but are unsure, for example, contact helpofdubnodobrobut@gmail.com or send a private message to the Dubno Community Foundation “Dobrobut” page.
