ArtArea-2023 creative Christian camp for children of military officers held in the Carpathians
From July 24 to August 2, a creative Christian camp, “ArtArea-2023,” was held in a picturesque part of the Carpathians at the Tysovets winter sports center, organized by the Department of Military Chaplaincy of the Patriarchal Curia of the UGCC in cooperation with the Military Chaplaincy Service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine of the Commander-in-Chief’s Office. This year, 57 children of service members, fallen soldiers, and veterans from 12 regions of Ukraine took part in the event.
The camp program consisted of numerous art workshops, daily divine services, spiritual talks and teachings, sports games, quests, competitions, contests, movie watching, bonfires, and hiking trips. The central theme of this year’s camp is “Going up to the mountains!”
“The presence of a spiritual advisor and daily Liturgy contribute to the spiritual development of young people and a better understanding of themselves and their vocation. Working in groups aims to develop leadership skills and responsibility and create a team spirit atmosphere. Ministering for the sake of common victory involves raising young people with values who confidently follow a clearly defined course,” commented Fr. Rostyslav Vysochan, the commandant.
The organizers were assisted by animators from the School of Christian Camp Leaders, who had been preparing for the summer camp for a year, and students of the Ternopil Theological Seminary named after Patriarch Josyf Slipyj of the UGCC. The spiritual and psychological guidance of the campers was provided by Fr Rostyslav Vysochan, Chief Specialist of the Department for Interaction with Religious Organizations of the Military Chaplaincy Service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and Fr. Vasyl Bodnar, military chaplain of the UGCC.
Press Center of the Department of Military Chaplaincy of the UGCC
