Two weeks ago, more than 240 children from the Kyiv, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia regions arrived in Zakarpattia. Today they are wrapping up their first “Carpathian Camp”—with new friends, hundreds of photos on their phones, and dozens of stories they’ll be reminiscing about for a long time to come.
During this time, there was everything: soccer tournaments, creative workshops, scavenger hunts, sports activities, excursions, hikes, and an introduction to the history and nature of Transcarpathia. And there was plenty of laughter, support, teamwork, and genuine childhood excitement.
The camp’s grand finale was a celebration within the walls of the legendary Palanok Castle. The children went on a tour, watched knightly battles, received awards for their athletic achievements, and together created another day that will surely be remembered for a long time.
The main achievement of this camp cannot be measured in trophies or medals. It lies in the children’s smiles, in new friendships, and in the confidence that there are people nearby who care for them.
We sincerely thank President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy for initiating the project, the Office of the President of Ukraine, the regional military administrations, the Ukrainian Football Association, our coaches, educators, volunteers, partners, and everyone who worked every day to bring smiles to the children’s faces.
And very soon, Transcarpathia will welcome new participants in the “Carpathian Shift.”