In July and August, the Terrytoria NGO held three patriotic summer camps for the youth of the municipalities of the Khmelnytskyi Oblast. The main goal is to bring the youth together, teach them outdoor survival and encourage fitness habits and interest in modern technology. All these activities were part of the project “Veterans and Youth: Together for the Future” in the municipality of Stara Ushytsia with the support of U-LEAD with Europe.
Alina Oliinyk, Project Manager, said:
“The summer camp taught the participants skills and knowledge that are important in wartime such as the basics of flying drones and basic military training, survival and land navigation. They also learned the history of Bakota and its historical and cultural heritage on trips to the monastery on the mountain, the herbarium and the old medicinal herbs workshop, saw what the flooded villages look like now, etc. And of course, we went for a lot of swims in the Dniester River, for hikes and SUP boarding.”
A total of 60 participants from the southern municipalities of the oblast received training in three camps.
According to Yulia Yaroshenko, the girls had the time of their lives in the Bakota Hub’s five-day youth summer camps with incredible people:
“Each morning began with exercise and meditation to set the mood for a busy day, which we ended with friendly talks around the campfire and singing to the guitar. I’m grateful for the opportunity to join the camp. It helped me improve my mental health, cheered me up immensely, energised me and let me feel the vibrant happiness of life.”
Every participant noted the incredible atmosphere and appreciated it being a gathering of like-minded people.
“Recently, we were lucky enough to visit an incredible place, Bakota. It was a trip that we will not forget for a long time. We spent the nights in a wonderful hub that brought together young and energetic people. The atmosphere was very cosy and friendly, adding a special charm to the trip,” said camp participants Roman and Hanna.
They added:
“Big shout out to the organisers, Andrii, Alina, Oleksii and Olena. Everything was thought out down to the smallest detail, from comfortable living conditions, food and leisure to exciting activities. They created a special atmosphere where everyone felt part of the community.”
Another participant, Yanina Humenyuk, said that her motto for five days in the camp had been “Creating an inseparable bond with nature and fostering an atmosphere of love and freedom”. She shared that spending time in the camp had made her go out of her comfort zone:
“You try to stand on nails, maybe for a few seconds, launch a drone for the first time in your life, try to overcome your fear of water and sit on a SUP board, even if only for a short time. Bakota Hub’s Summer Camp is much better than Prague and Karlovy Vary that I’ve been to before, because this is where the heart of the Podillia region is, its pure and bright soul. I’m grateful to Alina Oliinyk, Andrii Zoin, Oles Breslavskyi and those who financed this project. You’re amazing people.”
According to Dmytro Vasylenko, Head of the U-LEAD Regional Office in the Khmelnytskyi Oblast, quality development of municipalities is impossible without the youth:
“That is why, as part of the project implemented by the Terrytoria NGO with the support of U-LEAD, after a series of camps for military personnel, Bakota is hosting summer camps for the youth from the southern municipalities of the oblast.”
As part of the project “Veterans and Youth: Together for the Future”, the municipality of Stara Ushytsia offers comprehensive rehabilitation for military personnel and veterans, including bakototherapy and a series of patriotic activities for the youth of the municipalities of the Khmelnytskyi Oblast.