Friendship Without Borders: Two Weeks of Summer for Ukrainian Children in Germany

At the invitation of the German Education Union (GEW) and the youth organisation Die Falken, a group of children of members of the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine (TUESWU) took part in a summer camp in Rheinwarthofen, Bavaria. The programme was supported financially by “Bildungs- und Förderungswerk” GEW, whose contribution helped make this summer experience possible for Ukrainian children. From 11 to 24 August 2026, the children enjoyed an active holiday, made new friends, took part in creative and team activities, and spent time with peers from Germany and other countries.

Two weeks full of new experiences

Life at the camp was full of activities. The children played volleyball, went swimming, took part in scavenger hunts, creative workshops and team games. They made dreamcatchers, decorated T-shirts and created bracelets. One of the most memorable evenings was a “silent disco”, when the children listened to music through headphones and danced together.

An important part of the experience was meeting German children and participants from other countries. Through games, music and informal conversations, the children gradually became more comfortable communicating with each other, despite the language differences.

“It wasn’t just a holiday. It was about meeting hundreds of children from different countries, taking part in countless activities, spending evenings together, making new friends, and feeling that, for those two weeks, we had become one big family,” says Natalia, an educator who accompanied the Ukrainian group.

The children were also involved in the everyday life of the camp. They helped with serving meals, keeping the camp tidy and taking part in shared duties. This gave them an opportunity not only to relax and have fun, but also to experience responsibility, cooperation and mutual support.

They also had the chance to discover some new tastes and enjoy a variety of meals, including pasta, risotto, lasagna, schnitzel, vegetables, fruit and desserts. And when they returned home, the children joked, traditional Ukrainian borscht would be waiting for them.

Ukrainian Flag Day – Together with Friends

The final day at the camp, 23 August, was especially meaningful for the Ukrainian participants. On Ukrainian Flag Day, they told their new friends about the significance of the blue and yellow Ukrainian flag, presented them with small souvenirs featuring Ukrainian symbols, and thanked them for their warm welcome and hospitality.

The children from other countries warmly received the gifts and shared their support for Ukraine and their wishes for peace.

The Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine sincerely thanks the German Union of Education and Science Workers (GEW) and the youth organization “Die Falken” for the invitation, the warm welcome, and the opportunity to give Ukrainian children a summer filled with friendship, new experiences, and international exchange, as well as a vacation free from air raid alerts and constant stress.

 We are also grateful to the educators and camp staff for their care, attention and support throughout the trip, and to the parents for their trust.

Most of all, we would like to thank the children themselves for their openness, curiosity and the way they represented Ukraine with warmth and dignity while making new friends and creating lasting memories.

Experiences like these are about much more than a summer holiday. They give children an opportunity to build friendships, learn from one another, discover new cultures and experience the strength of international solidarity in a very personal way.

Camp Participants’ Reviews

“A really cool and amazing camp, a friendly group, and the assistants were the best people you could imagine. There were plenty of activities, and the evenings were always fun and interactive. We got along really well with the German children and team leaders. It was a very warm and welcoming camp. Thank you to everyone who organized and ran it.”

Yaroslav Kucher

“This summer I spent two weeks at a camp in Germany. We stayed at a beautiful camp surrounded by nature, and we had a lot of fun. Every day we went for walks, played games, went swimming and simply spent time together. I met many new people and made new friends. We also took lots of photos. I really enjoyed the camp and would love to go back again. Those two weeks went by very quickly, but I will definitely remember them.”

Alisa Kalenyuk

International Department