Table of Contents
- A War-Torn Childhood
- The Mountain Camp Experiment
- First Steps Toward Friendship
- Why Summer Camps Matter in Times of War
- Sources
A War-Torn Childhood
Artem Miz was just 12 years old when he lost everything: his home in eastern Ukraine, his father to the front lines, and the friends he once played with in sunlit courtyards. The Russian invasion didn’t just redraw borders—it shattered childhoods. For Artem, the trauma ran deeper than fear of bombs; it was the silence that followed, the loneliness that echoed louder than any explosion.
“I didn’t know how to talk to anyone anymore,” Artem admitted during a rare moment of openness at a summer camp in Ukraine’s Zakarpattia region. “I felt like I didn’t belong anywhere.”
The Mountain Camp Experiment
Organized by Ukrainian nonprofits and supported by international aid groups, the mountain camp in Zakarpattia has become a sanctuary for children like Artem—those who’ve survived the physical horrors of war but still carry invisible wounds. Nestled among pine forests and misty peaks, the camp offers more than fresh air and hikes; it’s designed as a psychological reset.
Counselors trained in trauma-informed care lead group activities, art therapy, and nightly campfires where stories—not just songs—are shared. For many kids, it’s the first time they’ve laughed since the sirens started.
What Makes This Camp Different?
- No pressure to perform: Kids aren’t asked to “be brave” or “move on.” They’re simply allowed to be children.
- Peer bonding over shared loss: Many campers have lost family members or homes, creating instant empathy.
- Reconnection with national identity: Daily rituals like singing the Ukrainian anthem reinforce pride and belonging.
First Steps Toward Friendship
At first, Artem sat alone by the pool, wearing long black pants while others splashed in swimsuits. He felt out of place—wrong clothes, wrong phone, no idea how to approach girls or join games. But slowly, through shared chores and team challenges, a boy named Mykola invited him to build a raft. Then came a shared laugh over burnt marshmallows. By the camp’s final night, Artem stood shoulder-to-shoulder with his new friends, belting out Ukraine’s national anthem under a starry sky.
“He didn’t need a therapist that day,” said camp director Olena Kravchuk. “He needed a buddy. And he found one.”
Why Summer Camps Matter in Times of War
Psychologists emphasize that structured social environments like camps can be as vital as food or shelter for war-affected children. According to UNICEF Ukraine, over 7.5 million children have been impacted by the conflict, with rising rates of anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal.
Programs like the Zakarpattia camp cost roughly $300 per child for a two-week session—funded through donations and EU humanitarian grants. Yet their impact is immeasurable: a 2024 study by Kyiv-Mohyla Academy found that 68% of camp participants showed significant improvement in emotional regulation and peer interaction within three months.
How You Can Help
Organizations accepting donations for Ukrainian children’s camps include:
Sources
The New York Times – “He Survived the Invasion. What He Really Wanted Was a Friend.”
UNICEF Ukraine
Voices of Children Foundation
