Individual Pioneer Summer Camps: Orlyonok


Figure 1.--The Orlyonok Camp program included patriotic displays. This is the honor guard at the World War II memorial at the Camp.

Orlyonok (Орлёнок or Eaglet) was one of the prestigious Soviet Young Pioneer camps. Since the disolution of the Soviet Union it is now operasted as a Children's Center. Soviet officials opened the camp (1960). It was part of a major program to expand the Young Pioneer summer camp program. It is located on Russia's Black Sea coast near Tuapse, Krasnodar Krai. Orlyonok was initially created for children in the Russian Soviet Republic (SFSR). It was similar in many ways to Artek, but Artek was found by the Soviet Government and Orlyonok was founded by the SFSR Government. Russia was one of 16 Soviet republics. Children who excelled in some activity (ascademics, sports, or other activities like dance and chess) could win places at the Camp. Another way of gaining entry was to be active in the Komsomol or Young Pioneer programs. The first year 520 children attended the Camp, but by the 1970s the capacity had been expanded to 17,000 children. Orlyonok was run wih a kind of military organization. Every morning started with marching, roll-call and raising the flags. As you can see it was completely co-ed at Orlyonok as it was at the other camps, more so than at American and Canadian summer camps at the time. The location and extensive facilities at Orlyonok provided for a wide range of activities. Just like at Artek there were many foreign campers at Orlyonok. The idea was to cfreate a positive impression of the Soviet Union. The uniform at Orlyonok varied over time and there were uniforms for different activities. Orlyonok declined with the disolution of the Soviet Union and the disappearance of the Yong Pioneer mopvement. There has in recent years been a renwed interest in summer camps for children. The Camp in 2004 hosted nearly 20,000 children. Since the disolution of the Soviet Union it is now operasted as a Children's Center.

History

Orlyonok (Орлёнок or Eaglet) was one of the prestigious Soviet Young Pioneer camps. Soviet officials opened the camp (1960). It was part of a major program to expand the Young Pioneer summer camp program. Orlyonok was initially created for children in the Russian Soviet Republic (SFSR). It was similar in many ways to Artek, but Artek was found by the Soviet Government and Orlyonok was founded by the SFSR Government. Russia was one of 16 Soviet republics.

Location

It is located on Russia's Black Sea coast near Tuapse, Krasnodar Krai.

Campers

Children who excelled in some activity (ascademics, sports, or other activities like dance and chess) could win places at the Camp. Another way of gaining entry was to be active in the Komsomol or Young Pioneer programs.

Capacity

Orlyonok was quite a substantial operation. The first year 520 children attended the Camp, but by the 1970s the capacity had been expanded to 17,000 children.

Facilities

The camp encompased 3 square kilometers. The facilites included 60 permanent buildings. There were dormitories, the Young Pioneer Palace which included a heated sea water pool and a movie theater), a secondary school, medical building, a museum (the Museum of Aircraft and Astronautics), an astronomy observatory, and a sports stadium. There were a number of playgrounds. The Camp was used year round and there was a winter sports hall. The Camp had facilities for 200 hobby groups working on 50 different activities (technical, sports, and the fine arts). Orlyonok took advantage of its Black Sea location. The Camp had its own passenger ship, 45 sail boats, as well as numerous motor boats and rowboats.

Camp Life

Orlyonok was run wih a kind of military organization. Every morning started with marching, roll-call and raising the flags. As you can see it was completely co-ed at Orlyonok as it was at the other camps, more so than at American and Canadian summer camps at the time.

Activities

The location and extensive facilities at Orlyonok provided for a wide range of activities. There was a range of swimming (both outdoor and indoor) and boating activities. There werea range of sports that were persued. The facilities provided for many different hobbies thast campers could choose. Hoobies included both recreational activities as well as sports, technical specialties and fine arts (such as dance and music). One popular activity her was chess, a perenial favorite among Russian children. Although there were plenty of outdoor activities, the camp experience at Orlyonok was not a nature experience like many American summer camps. The children did not live in rustic cabins or spend time camping in the country side.

Foreign Campers

Just like at Artek there were many foreign campers at Orlyonok. The idea was to cfreate a positive impression of the Soviet Union. One of those visitoes was Kirsten Koza, an 11 year-old Canadian girk. Kirsten in her book, Lost in Moscow, decribes her experiences at the Orlyonok camp. There is a great deal of information about foreign campers as well as life in general at the Camp.

Uniform

The uniform at Orlyonok varied over time and there were uniforms for different activities and different groups. We notice in the 1970s that the boys and girls wore a uniform of red field caps, destinctive yellow shirts, blue short pants, and white socks. We also notice children with blue caps and white shirts. There were other combinations as well. Foot wear varried.

Current Status

Orlyonok declined with the disolution of the Soviet Union and the disappearance of the Yong Pioneer mopvement. There has in recent years been a renwed interest in summer camps for children. The Camp in 2004 hosted nearly 20,000 children. Since the disolution of the Soviet Union it is now operasted as a Children's Center.

Sources

Koza, Kirsten. Lost in Moscow (Turn Stone Press,2005).





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Created: 10:59 PM 9/29/2005
Last updated: 10:59 PM 9/29/2005