Building Belonging in the Tatras: Polish-Ukrainian Integration through YMCA Sports Camp
From 30 June to 6 July 2025, young people from across Poland and Ukraine came together in Zakopane for a summer experience that went far beyond sports. Organised by the Monsters Club in partnership with the YMCA Europe Mission in Poland, this integration camp continued a growing legacy of inclusion, empowerment, and cross-cultural connection.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Tatra Mountains, the camp was part of a broader effort to support the integration of Ukrainian youth and families displaced by war, offering a safe and welcoming space to build friendships, develop resilience, and rediscover joy through shared experiences.
This initiative is one of several developed under the Polish-Ukrainian Integration programme launched by YMCA Europe shortly after the beginning of the war. With the continued support of local partners, YMCA volunteers, and community leaders, these camps create a powerful environment for healing, connection, and youth development.
While daily activities included everything from martial arts and mountain hikes to English lessons and evening cinema, the true impact lay in something deeper: a growing sense of belonging. Through laughter, teamwork, and challenge, young people learned not only new skills, but also how to support each other across language, culture, and experience.
The growing participation, strong community feedback, and the visible transformation of campers are all signs that this model works. The YMCA camping tradition in Poland is not only alive, it is evolving to meet today’s realities, becoming a symbol of solidarity and hope in times of crisis.
This is the spirit of YMCA: uniting people, building resilience, and investing in the next generation – together.
