The healing influence of nature, positive emotions, an atmosphere of support, creative inspiration, and physical activity are what YMCA Zhytomyr built its camp strategy for children and teenagers around. The name “Grow from the Roots” was not chosen by chance, because our mission was to show children that the basis for support for your mental health and personal growth can be your own roots: your history, your people, your culture; to show that you are not alone, not lonely, that behind each of us is a whole clan. And the place for the camp was not chosen by chance, the farmstead called “Polish Hut” preserves the spirit of ancient times, there is an old Ukrainian hut with all the equipment: a stove, a bed, benches, a chest with embroidery, and old dishes. All this helps to immerse yourself in a sense of unity with history. An important role was also played by the fact that it was in the territory of the village of Gorodske that the remains of the ancient Trypillya culture were found.
During the camp, the children learned new things about the history of their native land, sang old songs, studied tanks, and learned to weave wreaths. After visiting the Museum of Trypillya Culture, they made amulets for themselves and their relatives from clay, trying to recreate ancient signs seen during the excursion. After visiting the Khatyna of artist Yuri Kamyshny, they learned artistic painting on textile products. This way, we combined the development of the mind and spirit. Sports games and physical activities (trampoline races, tubing down the slide), as well as helping the owners of the farm in the field, helped to take care of the body.
This year, the camp was attended by children from the city and local children from the village, who joined in the daytime activities. It was interesting to watch the children communicate, how they gradually became closer and became friends. The psychological state of the children was helped by tracking the Blob tree and providing support to those who need it most.
The experience of children independently preparing numbers for the concert was interesting, when everyone could reveal themselves, their leadership qualities and creative talents. This year, for the first time, we had camp leaders among teenagers, who did 100% and next year we will definitely invite them again. It is nice to see how both the leaders and the camp participants still maintain contact, gathering for Saturday meetings at the YMCA, because it is so important not to lose your people in this wide world.
