Creating Lifelong Memories: Foster Family Camps Transform Care

We have hosted camps for foster families since 2015, thanks to our donors, partners and volunteers. This is a unique opportunity for carers to relax and gain insights to the best practices for raising children. And for children - to develop their creative abilities, increase self-esteem and get rid of anxieties caused by war and trauma while gaining important life skills. Plus foster families create happy memories together to strengthen bonds for the challenges ahead.

This year, 139 children and their carers came from across the Lviv Region to join the two four-day camps. - 16 foster and emergency care families and one adoptive family participated. The camp program is specially designed to benefit every child and carer.

"I really love these camps. Here, we relax and recharge. I value the safety, and I feel at ease knowing my kids are secure. Honestly, it helps me clear my mind and shift my focus. This gives me energy. The kids also really enjoy it. Everything is well-organized, relevant, and engaging. Our family is extremely grateful to you." – foster mother

Children aged 4 to 12 learned how to sort recycling and be environmentally conscious. They took a first aid course from Plast (Ukrainian scouting), and met firefighters who talked about their job, showed them the fire truck, and even let them use the hose! They crafted soap, candles and candy and decorated cookies. To support their resilience they joined story therapy, went on treasure hunts and had a lot of fun.

The teenagers learned about human rights from a lawyer from the Danish Refugee Council and from the Feminist Workshop. Through the workshops they understood how to protect themselves and others from abuse, fraud and exploitation, while also learning the basics of sexual health.

That’s not all… they had a photography master class, learned how to navigate in the forest, and had first aid training from the Maltese Relief Service. Culture and history featured when they learned to shoot a bow and found out more about the history of the city of Lviv during an exciting excursion.

For the foster and adoptive parents, we invited specialists who worked with them to build parental potential and share useful and relevant information. 

As part of this, we organised a meeting with experts from the "Legal Clinic," a workshop on abuse by "Women's Perspectives," and a self-esteem training by psychologist Olena Petrushkevych. There were also discussions about recent changes in legislation relating to family forms of care together with people from the Department for Children for Lviv City Council and the Lviv Regional Center for Social Services.

This year carers from emergency foster families and adoptive families joined the camp for the first time. It was a good opportunity for carers to get to know each other and share experiences.

"I think the chance for parents to exchange experiences is very useful and perhaps the most important part of the camp program. And it's very good that "Care in Action" provides such a great platform and opportunity to gain new experiences. Many thanks to all the organisers!!" - Dmytro, foster father

"It was important for me to learn about what constitutes child abuse and to be reminded of children's rights. Also, the ability to utilise resources to improve my physical and mental health will be important for me in the future." - foster mother

"It was my first time at a camp like this, and it was a paradise for me. I was completely happy, I met like-minded people who I would like to see more often. My husband was at the talent show and said he felt at home, like he was with his family. Thank you for the unforgettable experience!" - foster mother

We want to thank all of our donors who make this possible, especially donors in Germany and DTCare in the US who each funded the cost of a camp in 2024.

And to all the invited partners and experts who gave their cooperation for the well-being of children, the team of staff and volunteers for the time and love they shared to help prepare and deliver the exciting activities, to our heroes the foster parents…

Thank you! It's better together!