Summer camps for Ukrainian children
Fundraising campaign to support summer camps for Ukrainian children
The ongoing war in Ukraine has taken a devastating toll on the civilian population, with children being among the most vulnerable. Organizing a summer camp abroad for Ukrainian children offers a meaningful opportunity to bring relief and joy to those affected. With many children enduring the hardships of war and some having parents serving on the front lines, such an initiative provides a vital escape, allowing them to experience moments of normalcy and happiness amidst the turmoil.
The travel industry is uniquely positioned to organize such a summer camp due to its expertise and established connections. Collaborating with hotels, transportation companies, restaurants, and local attractions can secure sponsorships that minimize costs. The industry is well-equipped to handle travel arrangements, ensuring safe and efficient transportation for participants.
A successful summer camp for Ukrainian children has already been organised by the Association of Swedish Travel Industry, SRF, in Sweden from 18-27 June 2024. For many of the children, this journey marked their first experience traveling abroad. According to their leaders, a significant number of them have endured the trauma of fleeing their homes in Mariupol, seeking refuge from conflict and upheaval. Most of the children now reside in Kyiv, which also served as the starting point of their remarkable bus journey. From Kyiv, they travelled through Poland, eventually boarding a ferry to reach Karlskrona—a voyage filled with both challenges and hope. The summer camp was made possible through sponsorship and funding of travel companies that provided free accommodation, food, entrance tickets to attractions, logistical support, etc. We are very grateful for their very generous contributions!
2025 will be a year for replication and where possible extension in other European countries!
A large number of European travel associations (see list below) have joined efforts with New Hope Travel Industry Children’s Fund, a non-for-profit fund-raising foundation under the supervision of the County Administrative Board in Stockholm County, to launch a European fund-raising campaign to collect money for the organisation of summer camps in Europe. Many travel associations have volunteered to organise a summer camp in their own country, but the location and number of summer camps will ultimately depend on the amount of funds raised and sponsorship from local travel companies.
While participating organizations will contribute by seeking sponsors to support accommodation and part of the transportation costs, we still face the challenge of raising additional funds to ensure the successful organization of the project. On average, it costs €300 per child to cover coach transportation, activity fees, and other unavoidable or unexpected expenses.
The travel industry is uniquely positioned to organize such a summer camp due to its expertise and established connections. Collaborating with hotels, transportation companies, restaurants, and local attractions can secure sponsorships that minimize costs. The industry is well-equipped to handle travel arrangements, ensuring safe and efficient transportation for participants.
A successful summer camp for Ukrainian children has already been organised by the Association of Swedish Travel Industry, SRF, in Sweden from 18-27 June 2024. For many of the children, this journey marked their first experience traveling abroad. According to their leaders, a significant number of them have endured the trauma of fleeing their homes in Mariupol, seeking refuge from conflict and upheaval. Most of the children now reside in Kyiv, which also served as the starting point of their remarkable bus journey. From Kyiv, they travelled through Poland, eventually boarding a ferry to reach Karlskrona—a voyage filled with both challenges and hope. The summer camp was made possible through sponsorship and funding of travel companies that provided free accommodation, food, entrance tickets to attractions, logistical support, etc. We are very grateful for their very generous contributions!
2025 will be a year for replication and where possible extension in other European countries!
A large number of European travel associations (see list below) have joined efforts with New Hope Travel Industry Children’s Fund, a non-for-profit fund-raising foundation under the supervision of the County Administrative Board in Stockholm County, to launch a European fund-raising campaign to collect money for the organisation of summer camps in Europe. Many travel associations have volunteered to organise a summer camp in their own country, but the location and number of summer camps will ultimately depend on the amount of funds raised and sponsorship from local travel companies.
While participating organizations will contribute by seeking sponsors to support accommodation and part of the transportation costs, we still face the challenge of raising additional funds to ensure the successful organization of the project. On average, it costs €300 per child to cover coach transportation, activity fees, and other unavoidable or unexpected expenses.
Would you like to help? Then please make a donation to Newhope Travel Industry Children’s Fund.
Supporting organisations:
| European travel associations | Fund-raising foundation |
| Fachverband der Reisebüros (WKÖ), Austria FIT, Belgium UHPA & UPA-HGK, Croatia ACTTA, Cyprus ACCKA, Czechia DRF, Denmark SMAL, Finland EdV, France DRV, Germany HATTA, Greece ITAA, Ireland FTO, Italy ALTA, Latvia ANVR, Netherlands VIRKE, Norway APAVT, Portugal SRF, Sweden SRV, Switzerland AITO, Ukraine ECTAA, Europe | Newhope Travel Industry Children’s Fund
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