The United by Sports & Culture YMCA Summer Camp in Poland (7th -13th July), part of the Camp Europe program, was held in Olsztyn, a city known for its lakes and forests, 220 km north of Warsaw.
Organized together with Monsters Club Warszawa, a traditional partner of YMCA, the camp benefited 26 children from the long-term Polish-Ukrainian integration program.
The camp embraced the YMCA motto of “body-mind-spirit,” promoting balanced development. Many campers were already familiar with this approach through their participation in the integration program.
A key focus was on mental health, addressing war trauma among Ukrainian children and typical adolescent challenges for Polish children.
Each child received individual support, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment. The facilities, rented from Warmia-Mazury University, are known for their eco-friendly infrastructure.
The diverse camp program included daily sports and recreation, visits to science and innovation centers, the Olsztyn Planetarium, historic tours of Olsztyn, aqua training, English-language games, and various competitions and quizzes. These activities helped city children connect with nature and learn about rural life.
Professional staff and volunteers, including a child psychotherapist, ensured every child felt comfortable and included. Two younger camp leaders also demonstrated strong abilities in working with children. The motivated and cohesive YMCA program team in Poland continues to drive the initiative forward.
The camp significantly contributed to rebuilding the YMCA movement in Poland. Despite challenges like branding issues and financial constraints delaying formal registration, the organization remains active in Warsaw. We are close to completing this process, and the goal of a fully legal YMCA Poland is within reach.
This camp was co-financed by YMCA Europe from CAMP EUROPE PROJECT – within the framework of Roots for Peace programme.
