For over ten years now, the Ukrainian Youth Association has been organizing charity camps for children who are in particular need of support, attention, and a safe environment to enjoy their childhood.

The first such camp took place in 2015. Since then, the names, formats, and programs have changed, but the main goal has remained the same—to give children the opportunity to relax, make friends, explore Ukraine, and simply be children. After a forced hiatus, CYM resumed holding charity camps in 2024, and this year marked the eighth charity camp, titled “Warrior Spirit”.

Today, its participants are primarily the children of fallen and missing-in-action heroes, as well as children whose parents are serving in the military and raising their children on their own, often leaving them in the care of grandparents or other relatives.

That’s why, for them, the camp is much more than just a vacation.

This year, the campers traveled extensively and discovered the history and culture of Ukraine.

They visited the Dovbush Rocks, the “Vygodska Narrow-Gauge Railway Heritage Center” museum, the Park of Earth’s History, the Stepan Bandera Museum, and the Ivan Franko Museum.

Meetings were an equally important part of the program. The children were visited by writers Olya Vovk and Tetiana Strokach, CYM member Nataliia Tereshchenko, CYM members and soldiers Oleg Mazur, Maksym Pohrebnyak, and Bohdan Ben, and singer and leader of the band “Number 482,” Vitalii Kyrychenko. The campers were also visited by Yurko Ilyash, President of CYM Ukraine’s National Executive.

And in between trips and meetings, there were the usual CYM activities that create the camp’s special atmosphere: assemblies, the anthem, prayer, discussions, evening bonfires, and CYM campfires.

Special attention is given to psychological support at the camp. The children participate in art therapy sessions with qualified psychologists, have the opportunity to talk, create, process their emotions, and simply spend time in an environment where they are understood.

But there is another very important thing—the children support one another.

They don’t always have to explain why they’re sad, why they’re anxious, why they’re waiting for news, or why things are hard for them. They understand one another because each of them has their own experience of war and loss. And among those who have gone through similar experiences, it’s much easier to feel, “I’m not alone.”

This is where friendships are formed that continue even after camp.

 

Some children are not visiting us for the first time. Throughout the year, they ask, “When is camp?”—and that’s probably the best proof of just how much they need it.

Unfortunately, not all of the cities where our children come from have CYM chapters. So the camp often becomes their only opportunity to get to know CYM, its traditions, and become part of our community.

The parents themselves are best placed to describe the camp’s successes:

“I would like to thank the entire camp team from the bottom of my heart for the unforgettable time our children spent here.

Thank you to the organizers for the impeccable preparation, attention to every detail, and the atmosphere in which the children felt happy and safe. Sincere gratitude to the counselors and mentors for your care, patience, kind hearts, and the love you gave every day. You became not just adults around the children, but true friends and a source of support.

Special thanks to the psychologists for your professionalism, sensitivity, and ability to connect with each child. Your contribution to their emotional well-being and self-confidence is invaluable.

A huge thank you to the sponsors and everyone who helped make this camp a reality. Thanks to you, the children didn’t just get a vacation—they experienced vivid emotions, made new friends, had exciting adventures, created warm memories, and gained faith in goodness.

Thank you to everyone who was there for them—the staff, volunteers, cooks, medical personnel, and everyone who did everything possible every day to make the children’s eyes sparkle with joy.

We take home not only the children, but also their happy smiles, new experiences, and stories that will be shared in our families for a long time to come.

May the good you do for the children come back to each of you a hundredfold. We wish you strength, inspiration, peace, and new, successful changes.

On the way home, the songs by Druzhe Muzyki wouldn’t stop playing—we kept hitting repeat.

Thank you for your hard work, sincerity, and big hearts! »

“I want to express my immense gratitude to the entire camp team for these unforgettable days. My son is simply thrilled! Every day brought new experiences, interesting activities, and useful knowledge. Thank you for your care, professionalism, safety, and ability to connect with everyone. You’re incredible! Thank you so much for bringing such joy to our child’s eyes. This was our first time at your camp, but we’d love to participate again.”

“CYM, we’ll miss you all! A deep bow to the organizers and everyone involved for your contribution to our children!”

This camp was made possible thanks to donors from Ukraine and supporters from around the world.

And we really want everyone who supports this project from abroad to know: your donation doesn’t just get lost in some big budget. It reaches a specific child.

Your donation gives that child the chance to go to the Carpathians. To make a friend. To laugh. To talk to a psychologist. To feel at home among people who understand. For the first time in a long time, to simply not think about what’s happening at home. To sit by the evening campfire, sing CYM songs, and return home with stories they can’t wait to share.

For some, it’s just 10, 20, or 50 dollars. For a child—a few days of childhood that they so desperately need right now.

And that’s exactly why it’s so important for us to keep going.

Because these children have already lost too much. Some have lost a dad or a mom. Some live every day waiting for their father or mother to return from service. Some are forced to grow up faster than they’d like.

We cannot take that experience away from them.

But we can give them days filled with laughter instead of anxiety, friends instead of loneliness, support instead of fear, and memories they’ll want to look back on.

The entire team of counselors and instructors works on a volunteer basis. CYM members and friends of CYM who have been coming for many years join the organization. And some, after getting to know the camp, eventually become part of our organization themselves.

That’s why this project isn’t just about one camp.

It’s about the children. About their resilience. About community. About the future.

Thank you to everyone who supported the 8th CYM Charity Camp. Thank you to CYM members in various countries who have once again stood by the children of Ukraine.

And please don’t stop now.

Because next year they’ll ask again, “When is camp?”

And we really want to be able to answer:

“It’s coming up soon. We’re waiting for you.”

And for that, we need your support once again.

Support the CYM charity camps. Because your help is so much more than just a donation. It’s an opportunity for a child to feel like a child again.

Stay strong!

Nelya Lavrinenko – Chair of the World Educational Council

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