Author:
The Foundation's team
Voices of Children Charitable Foundation, with the support of and in partnership with the Olena Zelenska Foundation, announces the opening of registration for the new season of Voices Camp — a summer program for children affected by the war in Ukraine who need a space for recovery.
The camp program combines creativity, sports, psychological support, and intellectual development. This marks the third year of successful cooperation between Voices of Children and the Olena Zelenska Foundation. This summer, the program will welcome 448 children across eight camp sessions.
The camp program combines creativity, sports, psychological support, and intellectual development. This marks the third year of successful cooperation between Voices of Children and the Olena Zelenska Foundation. This summer, the program will welcome 448 children across eight camp sessions.
Who is Voices Camp for?
The camp is designed for children and teenagers who are most in need of psychological recovery. The program is aimed at helping participants regain emotional resources, strengthen resilience, and receive support tailored to their individual experiences.
Among last year’s participants were children who had lost parents, fled shelling, survived occupation, or experienced Russian deportation. The camp program takes into account each participant's personal experience.
Among last year’s participants were children who had lost parents, fled shelling, survived occupation, or experienced Russian deportation. The camp program takes into account each participant's personal experience.
“The most valuable thing about the camp for me was the support and the friendly atmosphere. I met amazing people, made new friends, gained unforgettable experiences, received support from psychologists and camp leaders, and had the opportunity to truly be myself,”
How the 14-day Program in the West of Ukraine Works
Each camp session combines psychological, creative, sports, and educational components. Participants attend art therapy and body-based therapy sessions, take part in team games and creative activities, and join workshops on communication, self-awareness, and self-presentation, as well as quizzes, debates, and talent evenings.
Each session is supported by a team of specialists, including six camp leaders, three psychologists, and an administrative team ensuring the smooth operation of the camp.
Each session is supported by a team of specialists, including six camp leaders, three psychologists, and an administrative team ensuring the smooth operation of the camp.
“We are expanding our support for ‘Voices Camp’—this year, we’re already running eight sessions. It’s important to us that children receive professional psychosocial support and find themselves in a safe environment where they are heard, accepted, and helped to process their own experiences. ‘Voices Camp’ is exactly that kind of place. We are delighted that even more children will be able to join the program this year. This expansion was made possible thanks to the support of our international partners. Together, we are creating a space of support, healing, and safety for Ukrainian children, where they can be children again,”
Results of Voices Camp: What Participant Feedback Shows
Last summer, with the support of the Olena Zelenska Foundation, Voices of Children held four camp sessions for children aged 10 to 15. In total, 224 children participated in Voices Camp in 2025, while 274 participated the year before.
The 2026 season will include eight camp sessions: five for children aged 12–15 and three for children aged 10–15. In total, 448 children will take part in the program this year.
“Because we have been running these camps for several years now, we can already see their long-term impact on children. Last year, a ten-year-old girl named Liera attended the camp. She was born in Sloviansk when the war was already ongoing there, and at the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, her family was living in Mariupol. At least five relocations had a profound impact on the girl — she missed her home and school very much. Her mother later told us that after attending Voices Camp, Liera came back calmer, more emotionally balanced, and less anxious. She learned how to process loss while also allowing herself to experience joy again. We are glad that, thanks to the expanded partnership with the Olena Zelenska Foundation, even more children will have the opportunity to attend the camp,”
The Voices of Children team evaluates the effectiveness of each session through participant surveys. Among the results from previous camps:
- a 20% improvement in emotional well-being;
- a 21% increase in self-regulation skills;
- a 7% increase in feelings of safety and trust;
- a 26% improvement in understanding one’s own emotions.
“I met many new people and made new friends. Here, I could find support and express myself. The trainings and reflection sessions also helped me learn a lot about myself,”
How to Register a Child for Voices Camp
Voices Camp іs organized in cooperation with the Olena Zelenska Foundation within the Youth Spaces 12-21 Project with the financial support of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation.
Applications for the three sessions for children aged 10–15 will open in June. The announcement will appear on our website and on the Foundation’s social media.
The partnership between Voices of Children Foundation and the Olena Zelenska Foundation spans several areas of cooperation. Together with the Coordination Center for Mental Health of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, Voices of Children contributed expertise, methodological support, and strategic vision to the “12-21” project, which is creating a nationwide network of inclusive, accessible, and free spaces for teenagers and young people aged 12 to 21 in Ukraine.
Voices of Children is the largest Ukrainian foundation providing comprehensive psychological support to children affected by the war. Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, more than 162,000 children and parents have received support through our regional centers, psychological support helpline, case management, and other services.
The Olena Zelenska Foundation is a Ukrainian charitable organization founded by First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska in 2022. The Foundation implements projects for children, adolescents, and youth across three main focus areas: supporting and developing family-based care, ensuring access to education and development opportunities, and providing psychosocial support for adolescents and young people. Since the beginning of the full-scale war, more than 70 partners from over 30 countries have joined the Foundation’s initiatives.
Voices of Children is the largest Ukrainian foundation providing comprehensive psychological support to children affected by the war. Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, more than 162,000 children and parents have received support through our regional centers, psychological support helpline, case management, and other services.
The Olena Zelenska Foundation is a Ukrainian charitable organization founded by First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska in 2022. The Foundation implements projects for children, adolescents, and youth across three main focus areas: supporting and developing family-based care, ensuring access to education and development opportunities, and providing psychosocial support for adolescents and young people. Since the beginning of the full-scale war, more than 70 partners from over 30 countries have joined the Foundation’s initiatives.
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