25.07.2026
From July 13 to 21, the second session of the “SviTY” recovery camp took place in the Carpathians. It brought together 26 teenagers from internally displaced and military families who attend the space in Zhytomyr.
Over eight days, the teenagers combined outdoor activities in the mountains with daily sessions with a psychologist, group activities, and reflection circles. The camp gave them an opportunity to take a break from everyday stress, feel supported, and better understand their emotional state.
Emotional recovery and sense of safety
After the camp, 79.2% of participants reported an improvement in their emotional well-being. Of them, 45.8% said they felt “better,” while 33.3% said they felt “much better.” One of the most significant changes was the decrease in stress levels. At the beginning of the camp, 34.6% of participants reported high levels of stress. By the end of the camp, this figure had dropped to 7.7%, more than a fourfold decrease.
At the same time, the share of teenagers who felt completely safe nearly doubled, from 21.7% to 41.7%.
Communication and self-confidence
Participants also reported positive changes in their interactions with others. 37.5% of teenagers said that communicating with others became significantly easier after the camp, while 16.7% said they felt more confident in themselves.
Shared activities, group sessions, and daily communication helped the teenagers better understand themselves, build trust, and feel more connected to others.
Participants’ feedback
“I was supported when I wasn’t in a good mood.”
“I received attention and realized that people do care about my problems.”
“I discovered that I can handle difficult tasks without my parents’ help.”
These reflections complement the survey results and show how important support, a safe environment, and the opportunity to be heard are for teenagers.
The “SviTY” psychosocial recovery program is implemented by the KIDS OF UKRAINE Charity Foundation. In Zhytomyr, the “SviTY” program, including the recovery camp for teenagers in the Carpathians, is implemented with the support of the BGV Charity Fund.
