Ukraine update

The war in Ukraine has posed significant challenges for all aspects of life, including Christian camping. Despite these challenges, CCI/Ukraine's members have demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability. Here are some key ways CCI/Ukraine and its network have continued their ministry during this difficult time:

Relocation and Adaptation: Many camps were relocated to safer areas within Ukraine, allowing the ministry to continue.

Support for Displaced Persons: Camps have become places of refuge for internally displaced persons (IDPs), providing not just spiritual support but also practical assistance such as shelter, food, and medical care. This has opened new opportunities for ministry, as many IDPs are encountering Christian camps for the first time.

Increase in Day Camps: Many camps chose to run day camp programs in their churches, serving the needs of internally displaced children and their families and sharing the gospel.

Partnerships: International partnerships have increased since campers and their parents were often unable to pay the registration fees.

Staff Training: We had to add many courses on dealing with trauma, as both campers and staff are affected. At the same time, 80% of counselors are younger Christians aged 18-23 because many mature Christians have switched to humanitarian aid and volunteer projects or left the country to provide safety for their families.

At the same time, fewer men now work at camps because of the war. So, in the camps that experience a lack of male staff, male campers are led by female counsellors.

CCI/Ukraine and the camps that are part of its network have sustained their operations and outreach despite the ongoing war. We annually have over 350 camps in operation and 35 training events attended by 3,200 camp leaders, reaching 45,000 campers in Ukraine.

The Prayer Vigil for Ukraine, which KVI runs once every three months in partnership with Bridges for Peace and Square One World Media, takes place on a Saturday in a church. All are welcome to come and support Ukraine in prayer, pray for its victory in the war, for its territories currently occupied by Russia to be returned to Ukraine, as well as to pray for repentance of the Russian people, and for God's Kingdom to come and be established in the lands and nations of today's Russia.