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DTCare, along with partners PURC (Pittsburgh Ukrainian Relief Coalition) and Mt. Lebanon High School’s Lebo Unites/LIGHT clubs ran by Vanshika Jain, proudly supported a 4-day summer camp organized by Care in Action – Турбота в Дії. This incredible initiative provided respite and growth for families from the Lviv region of Ukraine.
The camp welcomed 77 participants, including 14 parents and 63 children from six family-type orphanages, one short-term foster family, and one adoptive family. Engaging activities catered to all ages, fostering development, emotional well-being, and pure fun.
Younger children embarked on exciting nature tracking workshops, learning to identify animal tracks and creating charming gypsum figures. Art therapy sessions allowed them to express themselves creatively, while soap making and a captivating bubble show brought smiles to their faces. Even a pre-medical aid workshop empowered these young minds with valuable skills.
For teenagers, the camp offered interactive learning experiences, including a meeting with firefighters, a thrilling knight performance with a historical lecture, and a photography workshop. Practical life skills training covered crucial topics like waste sorting, recycling, and navigating potential challenges like violence, peer pressure, and labor exploitation.
While children were immersed in these enriching activities, caregivers weren’t left behind. Art therapy sessions helped them manage stress, while a dedicated child psychologist led a workshop on boosting children’s self-esteem. Parents also gained valuable knowledge through seminars on parenting children who have experienced violence, navigating social and medical benefits for fostered children, and even a role-playing exercise inspired by the Ukrainian novel “Kaidash Family.”
Beyond the structured activities, families enjoyed heartwarming evenings filled with laughter and joy. A captivating science show, a mesmerizing magic and illusion performance, a delicious BBQ by the fire, and a thrilling treasure hunt with fun competitions created lasting memories for everyone.
This summer camp served a vital purpose. Caregivers raising children in family-type orphanages take on a noble yet demanding responsibility. They provide a safe and nurturing environment for 5 to 10 children who have endured trauma, helping them heal and thrive. The camp offered them a much-needed respite from their 24/7 caregiving duties, while equipping them with valuable parenting strategies. For the children, the camp served as a springboard for creativity, self-esteem building, and the release of anxieties caused by war and past experiences. They also gained crucial life skills that will benefit them in the future.
