Summer camps for children and youth organized across UOC eparchies

Children's camp “Island of Kindness” for Sunday school students of the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy. Photo: Eparchial Press Service

This summer, dioceses of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) are once again hosting traditional children's and youth camps. According to the UOC’s Information and Education Department, citing diocesan press services, the camps provide children and teenagers with an opportunity to relax in nature and engage in spiritually enriching fellowship.

In the village of Mosty, near the Church of the Archangel Michael in the Rivne Eparchy, over a hundred young people participated in an Orthodox youth gathering for the Zdolbuniv deanery. The camp’s theme this year is “The Light of Rus’.”

“Today’s youth are active, thoughtful, and forward-looking. We try to combine the pleasant with the meaningful. The program includes both educational elements and deep spiritual interaction,” said Fr. Vasyl Nachev, dean of the Zdolbuniv district.

Clergy of the Dubno deaneries in the Rivne Eparchy also organized a camp in the village of Smyha, based at the Church of St. Job of Pochaiv. Activities included team-based creative projects, such as creating short spiritual-themed videos, as well as team-building games and discussions on love for God, neighbor, and life itself. At the camp’s conclusion, video presentations were shown, contest winners received prizes, and each child was given a gift.

“These two days became a real journey to the heart, to faith, and to what truly matters,” noted the Rivne Eparchy.

In the Volyn Eparchy, a children’s camp titled “Summer of Joy” was held in the village of Strumivka, attended by over 100 children. This year’s theme was “Journey through the Kingdom of Joy.” With their counselors, children completed “knightly” tasks.

“New friendships, prayers for the Church and Ukrainian defenders, quests, workshops, delicious food, and many joyful children’s smiles were with us throughout the day,” said Fr. Stepan Yarema, the event’s initiator and main organizer.

Another Volyn camp, “The Path of Kindness”, is operating on the grounds of the Staryi Selo Convent. On July 14, Metropolitan Nathanael of Volyn visited the children participating in the camp’s sixth session.

The Vladimir-Volyn Eparchy is running its traditional children’s camp “Ray of Light” (Promin) at Lake Luky in Samary, organized by priests from the Vydranychi parish. Additionally, the youth tent camp “Citadel” has begun on the grounds of the Sts. Peter and Paul Monastery in Svitiaz village. Organized by the diocesan youth department along with clergy and matushkas, the theme of this session is “Light in the Darkness,” focusing on how to find and become light in a dark world.

“Eighty-five participants are building their inner stronghold – a citadel of faith,” say representatives of the eparchy.

More than 50 children took part in the “Island of Kindness” camp for Sunday school students in the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy.

“Morning prayers, spiritual talks, fun workshops, team games, theatrical skits, swimming in the spring, evening bonfires, and joyful children’s smiles – all this has become part of our big camp family,” organizers shared.

The eparchy also expressed gratitude to the Rivne Eparchy and especially to the Skete of Righteous Anna in Onyshkivtsi for their hospitality.

From July 7 to 12, with the blessing of Metropolitan Theodore of Mukachevo and Uzhhorod, the Mukachevo Eparchy held a spiritual and educational camp called “Karpovtlash” in the mountain village of Volovets. Children from the parish in Velyki Luchky stayed at the “Eden” hotel and participated in interactive games, quests, and mountain hikes.

From August 10 to 16, the Khust Eparchy will host its Orthodox children’s camp “Maramorosh.” The program includes accommodation and four meals a day, sports and intellectual games, clubs, contests, workshops, and spiritual talks. Organizers invite children to take part in an active, joyful, and meaningful rest in a Christian spirit. More information is available via the provided link.

The Orthodox camp “Chance”, located in the Kamianets-Podilskyi Eparchy, is also offering summer recreation for children. Detailed information and the schedule are available on the camp's official website.

As previously reported, last year the UOC held a camp for children with disabilities from five regions of Ukraine.

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