Happy Child 2.0: Ten Days in the Carpathians for 56 Children

Climbing Mount Bukovel, riding the toboggan run, attending a Minecraft Party, and the very next evening— a Stitch Party. In August, this is exactly what everyday life looked like for the 56 children who traveled to the Carpathians as part of the Happy Child 2.0 project.

The camp ran from August 20 to 30 and was made possible thanks to financial support from BILD hilft e.V. “Ein Herz für Kinder.”

For ten days, the children traded their usual surroundings for the mountains, outdoor activities, and the company of many peers. It was important for us to give them the opportunity to get away from the explosions, interact more in person, be active, try new things, and spend part of their summer at a completely different pace.

What Was on the Program

There was almost no time to sit around doing nothing.

The children went on a hike up Mount Bukovel, rode the toboggan run, and took part in creative and team-building activities.

There was also a whole series of themed parties: a Cringe Party, a SpongeBob Party, a Minecraft Party, a Stitch Party, and the final WOW Party.

One of the program’s most memorable events was a performance by Anna Trincher.

Between the scheduled activities, there was time for typical camp life: conversations, games, getting to know each other, working together, and gradually getting used to the new group.

Ten Days Off the Beaten Path

The trip gave the children much more than just a change of scenery.

Life in a new group involves constant interaction: you have to get to know each other, come to agreements, be considerate of others, try new things together, and sometimes do things you wouldn’t dare to do at home.

Over the course of these ten days, there were many such small “firsts”—from hiking in the mountains to performing in front of others or taking part in unfamiliar activities.

At the same time, it was an opportunity to step away, even if only briefly, from what has long been a part of everyday life for children in Ukraine: anxiety, explosions, and constant tension.

Thanks to the financial support of BILD hilft e.V. “Ein Herz für Kinder,” 56 children were able to spend these days in the Carpathians—being active, surrounded by peers, and enjoying a program that offered something new to look forward to every day.

What This Trip Achieved

For Happy Child 2.0, it was important to create an environment where children could interact more, be part of a team, express themselves, and gain new experiences outside their usual circle.

The camp became a space for socializing, active recreation, and creativity. The children learned to interact in a group, became more independent, discovered new activities, and simply had the opportunity to spend time with their peers.

For the Rise of Ukraine team, these trips are important precisely for this reason: they give children a few days to unwind, be active, make new friends, try new things, and once again experience the normal pace of childhood.

We are grateful to BILD hilft e.V. “Ein Herz für Kinder” for their financial support, which made this trip possible and allowed 56 children to participate.

The camp ended on August 30. And the experiences of those ten days—from the first hike up the mountains to getting to know new friends—stayed with the children even after they returned home.

Happy Child 2.0 was implemented with financial support from BILD hilft e.V. “Ein Herz für Kinder.”