July 22nd Update

Dudutki Museum

Today was a busy but relaxing day for the instructors. We were taken to the Dudutki Museum which is approximately 35 miles outside of Minsk proper. It's amazing how quickly the landscape changes once you leave the large city of Minsk. It quickly becomes rolling fields and meadows with open pastures. You could almost convince yourself you are back in the Midwest!

The following is from the website http://www.hotels-minsk.com/tours/tour-dudutki.htm

"Possibly, at present the ethnographical museum Dudutki is the first and only private museum of material culture. Here the past and present are brought together. This is a museum of handicrafts where a piece of clay, steel or wood is brought to life before your eyes.
The museum was founded in 1993, and it covers the territory of 160 hectares. In the Dudutki museum activities and entertainment combine in harmony with nature and history. Former inhabitants of Dudutki estate in the 19th century owned it for 130 years. They made Dudutky one of the centres of cultural life in Belarus. Whoever you are, irrespective of age or position, plunge yourself into the atmosphere of the 19th century, get to know the ways of country life and discover the secrets of ancient handicrafts."

To view photos from the day, click here Pictures

Also, watch the video clips at top from Stalin's Line (yesterday) and Dudutki.

Our younger group of boys went to an amusement park in the morning and then did paintball in the afternoon. Feedback is they had a great time! They were a bit nervous going in when they saw the welts on the kids coming out! Anyway, they all survived without incident! I'm not sure what our older group of boys did today but I'll try to get a full report in the morning!

I'm sad to say Todd McLellan and his son, Tyson, flew home today. We will miss them both this coming week! Todd was invaluable to the camp and Tyson was such a great boy to have around.

Tomorrow, we start the second week of camp so I'm sure it will be quite hectic. We will have many new faces and names to learn! Fortunately, all host kids will return so they will know what is expected. The Belarusian boys come from all over the country and represent the best youth talent in Belarus.

After the full day of camp tomorrow, there will be a hockey game between a local team (ex professionals!) and our instructors plus a couple of players from the Federation.

We will be at the rink for approximately 14 hours and I don't have internet available. I may not be able to provide an update on Monday.

Cheers!