SUMMER CAMPS IN 2024?  YES!

Given the severe mental health toll the ongoing war has taken on children in Ukraine, it is critically important for HART to support and partner with local churches to hold Christ-centered Christian summer camps for several key reasons:

1. Providing a Safe Haven. Summer camps organized by local churches offer children a much-needed respite from the trauma and chaos of war. These camps create a safe, nurturing environment where kids can temporarily escape the violence, air raid sirens, and constant fear that have become their daily reality.

2. Promoting Healing and Resilience. The camps provide a platform for children to process their experiences, find emotional support, and build resilience in the face of adversity. Through recreational activities, biblical teaching, counseling, and a caring community, the camps help children process their experiences and build resilience. The Christ-centered focus provides a spiritual foundation to cope with adversity.

3. Restoring a Sense of Normalcy.  For children whose lives have been upended by war, the camps allow them to simply be kids again – to play, learn, make friends, and experience joy. This sense of normalcy is crucial for their mental well-being.

4. Offering Hope and Spiritual Nourishment. The Christ-centered approach provides spiritual grounding, biblical wisdom, and the hope of the Gospel message. This spiritual nourishment can sustain children and their families through immense hardship and trauma.

5. Facilitating Healing and Personal Growth. The camps create an environment conducive to emotional healing, personal growth, and developing a stronger sense of self-worth rooted in biblical principles and God’s love.

6. Providing Community Support.  Children find themselves part of a caring, Christian community that can provide support, encouragement, and a sense of belonging during difficult times.

WHY SUMMER CAMPS ARE IMPORTANT. (Quotes from our partner churches:)

“There are refugee children in our town who are scared and emotionally devastated. We want to serve these kids so that they can feel the practical love and care of Christians. God has given us this great opportunity to share His love with them.”

“Ukraine’s children have endured over two years of war, terrifying emergency sirens, running to air raid shelters, the bursting of bombs, and living in the basement of buildings for weeks. Some kids have lost family members, their friends, or their homes. The trauma has been devastating, and they need to heal. One of the best places to begin this healing process is at camp.”

“We sincerely hope that we can hold camp this year, but for our part, our church does not have the funds to hold a camp, so we hope for the Lord and cooperation with Hart.”

“We want to distract kids from their terrible reality and give them the opportunity to get to know God in Bible lessons, have a good time with friends, participate in Christian plays, sing, pray, and play sports.”

“If we can bring a little bit of their childhood back to them, forgetting about bombs and sirens, and just enjoying nature, exercise, kids’ activities, and new friends – this is all great therapy for them.”

Please consider supporting HART summer camp programs. Thousands of children will be blessed because of your prayers and support.