Author:
Євгенія Малащук
The Voices of Children Charitable Foundation, with the support and in partnership with the Olena Zelenska Foundation, is launching a new season of summer camps for children affected by the war.
This year’s Voices Camp continues the successful partnership between the Voices of Children Foundation and the Olena Zelenska Foundation. The Foundation will fund four camp sessions for more than 200 children aged 10–15.
This year’s Voices Camp continues the successful partnership between the Voices of Children Foundation and the Olena Zelenska Foundation. The Foundation will fund four camp sessions for more than 200 children aged 10–15.
Last year, Voices of Children and the Olena Zelenska Foundation jointly held four summer and two autumn sessions of Voices Camp, giving more than 270 children from different regions of Ukraine a chance to rest and recover. All of them had experienced the traumatic impact of war —including children from internally displaced families, families of military personnel, and those living in frontline or recently de-occupied areas.
Voices Camp was created especially for such children and adolescents—those who are in particular need of healing, first and foremost, psychological healing. The program integrates creativity, sports, psychological support, and intellectual development. It is designed to help each child explore their talents and grow in various ways—from theater productions to self-discovery workshops. Through these experiences, children develop their interests and self-expression skills and gradually regain a sense of inner stability and resilience.
The Camp was created as a professional response to the needs of children affected by war—a safe space for rest, growth, and psychosocial recovery. Thanks to the joint efforts of the Voices of Children Foundation and the Olena Zelenska Foundation, it was possible to combine expertise in working with children and deliver even more accessible and high-quality support.
Voices Camp was created especially for such children and adolescents—those who are in particular need of healing, first and foremost, psychological healing. The program integrates creativity, sports, psychological support, and intellectual development. It is designed to help each child explore their talents and grow in various ways—from theater productions to self-discovery workshops. Through these experiences, children develop their interests and self-expression skills and gradually regain a sense of inner stability and resilience.
The Camp was created as a professional response to the needs of children affected by war—a safe space for rest, growth, and psychosocial recovery. Thanks to the joint efforts of the Voices of Children Foundation and the Olena Zelenska Foundation, it was possible to combine expertise in working with children and deliver even more accessible and high-quality support.
Memories of Last Summer
Reflecting on last year’s camps, psychologists and mentors note that most children were withdrawn, shy, and hesitant at the beginning of each session. There was a visible fear for their own safety and anxiety about parents who were either serving in the military or had remained in frontline areas.
One of the biggest challenges was helping the children build friendships with their peers. After all, 90% of the children who came to Voices Camp were from frontline regions—which often meant online schooling and lack of social interaction. So, at Camp, they had to relearn what it meant to spend carefree time with new friends. Judging by the excitement with which the teens now talk about last year’s Camp, it seems they did just that.
One of the biggest challenges was helping the children build friendships with their peers. After all, 90% of the children who came to Voices Camp were from frontline regions—which often meant online schooling and lack of social interaction. So, at Camp, they had to relearn what it meant to spend carefree time with new friends. Judging by the excitement with which the teens now talk about last year’s Camp, it seems they did just that.
Excursions, workshops, sports games, training sessions, movie nights, dance battles... There were so many interesting activities, and during the free hour we had to ourselves each day, all I wanted to do was rest,
Sixteen-year-old Matvii Berezhnyi from Kharkiv region agrees:
I’ve been to many summer camps. This one was the best. I know some camps where phones are banned so kids don’t spend their time playing games or on social media. But at Voices Camp, there was no need for such rules. We just didn’t have time for our phones.
They both returned home from Camp with vivid memories, strong emotions, and new friends.
We still have an active chat from last year’s camp. We still chat in it,
At Voices Camp, I found my best friend. Serhii is also from the Kharkiv region. I can’t explain why we connected so deeply, but it’s full and unconditional trust. I can tell him anything,
Both Liza and Matvii admit they left Voices Camp with tears in their eyes.
On the last day, we were given something like necklaces made of wool, and we each tied colored threads onto one another’s. Each knot was a token of remembrance—if you’d become friends with someone, you’d say something kind to them and leave your thread on their necklace. That ritual is my warmest memory of Voices Camp. The necklace still hangs on my wall. I look at it and remember,
New Season—Summer 2025
Four sessions will be held for children aged 10 to 15 this summer. Each session is two vibrant, event-filled weeks for 56 children who need our support and a sense of safety.
The first Voices Camp of the new season begins on June 5. The program will include creative workshops, sports games, group sessions with psychologists, communication training sessions, quizzes, debates, talent shows, and much, much more.
The Camp will be led by an experienced team: four camp leaders, two psychologists, an event host, and an administrative group that ensures the smooth operation of the entire team.
We create these camps to equip children with the internal resources to cope with the consequences of war, respond to their needs, and strengthen their resilience under difficult circumstances. So, we’re getting ready: Summer will be full of smiles, hugs, laughter— and, inevitably, a few tears when the children say goodbye to each other.
The first Voices Camp of the new season begins on June 5. The program will include creative workshops, sports games, group sessions with psychologists, communication training sessions, quizzes, debates, talent shows, and much, much more.
The Camp will be led by an experienced team: four camp leaders, two psychologists, an event host, and an administrative group that ensures the smooth operation of the entire team.
We create these camps to equip children with the internal resources to cope with the consequences of war, respond to their needs, and strengthen their resilience under difficult circumstances. So, we’re getting ready: Summer will be full of smiles, hugs, laughter— and, inevitably, a few tears when the children say goodbye to each other.
Our camps are designed to provide children with the internal resources to overcome the consequences of war, support their needs, and build their resilience in challenging conditions. Every detail matters—from a thoughtfully designed program with adaptation activities to an atmosphere of trust, peer connection, and professional adult support. All activities are based on psychological programs developed by Voices of Children, grounded in modern approaches and scientifically validated methods of psychosocial support for children. We’re grateful to have the support of the Olena Zelenska Foundation on this path,
Many children who come to Camp have gone through experiences no child should face—loss, prolonged stress, life in danger. That’s why the Olena Zelenska Foundation prioritizes initiatives that not only offer safe spaces for rest but also provide children with practical tools for recovery. Voices Camp is much more than a camp. It’s an example of professional work with children that considers their experiences, emotional states, and needs for support. For us, it’s essential that no child is left alone with their painful experience—so that each one feels care, attention, professional support, and the opportunity to be heard,
Registration for the new season of Voices Camp is still open. Participation is entirely free for families; simply fill out the form to apply—but please note that spots are limited. The application deadline is June 20, 2025, or until 1,000 applications are received—whichever comes first. Application form.
The Voices of Children Charitable Foundation is a Ukrainian charitable organization that provides psychological and psychosocial support and humanitarian aid to children and families affected by the war. It helps children cope with the psychological consequences of armed conflict and defends their rights.
The Olena Zelenska Foundation is a Ukrainian charitable organization founded in 2022 by the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska. The Foundation implements projects for children, adolescents, and youth in three core areas: supporting family-based care, ensuring access to education and development, and providing psychosocial support. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, over 70 partners from more than 30 countries have joined the Foundation’s initiatives.
The Voices of Children Charitable Foundation is a Ukrainian charitable organization that provides psychological and psychosocial support and humanitarian aid to children and families affected by the war. It helps children cope with the psychological consequences of armed conflict and defends their rights.
The Olena Zelenska Foundation is a Ukrainian charitable organization founded in 2022 by the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska. The Foundation implements projects for children, adolescents, and youth in three core areas: supporting family-based care, ensuring access to education and development, and providing psychosocial support. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, over 70 partners from more than 30 countries have joined the Foundation’s initiatives.
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