From June 30 to July 6, a sports and wellness camp session of the Restoration program took place at our camp near Chernivtsi — "Life Is Not a Game, but Very Similar 2". Together, 143 children and 61 mentors — instructors, psychologists, and volunteers who lived alongside the children that week.
The session theme — "Pawn"
The thread running through the week was the biblical story of Joseph. A boy whose circumstances threw him from a pit into slavery, and from slavery to the salvation of an entire people. For children who have lived through war, this is not an abstraction, but a direct conversation: what happened to you does not yet determine who you will become.
16 workshops every day
Each day, sixteen activities were available for the children — from art therapy, soap making, and cup painting to rock climbing, water volleyball, and "free fall." For some, it was the first time in their lives baking Belgian waffles; for others, the first time on a climbing wall. There was macramé, diamond painting, chess, swimming, pizza, and pancakes — so that every child could find something of their own.
Morning with prayer, evening with gratitude
The team began each day with spiritual encouragement and prayer, and in the evening the children praised God together. This is what Restoration exists for — not just active recreation, but a week when a child feels that they are not alone.
More than 4,200 servings of food in one week
The kitchen prepared 612 servings a day, 4,284 for the session. Behind each number is a specific child who felt warm, safe, and at peace that week.
Thank you to everyone who makes these camp sessions possible. One week at camp for one child is 120 dollars. Your charitable contribution is a real week in the life of a real child.
