A Summer of Hope: The Life-Changing Impact of Summer Camps with Mission Without Borders
For many, summer is a season of warmth, rest, and family memories. But for children growing up in the shadow of war and poverty—especially in places like Ukraine and other parts of Eastern Europe—summer can be just another stretch of hardship and uncertainty. That’s why Mission Without Borders’ Summer Camps matter so deeply.
Each year, these week-long camps offer a powerful lifeline to children who desperately need a break—not just from their daily routines, but from the constant stress and trauma of their environments. For children living in poverty or displaced by war, the emotional toll is immense. Many have seen their homes destroyed, their loved ones separated, and their communities torn apart. Others wake up each day in overcrowded, impoverished households, where food is scarce and encouragement even scarcer.
But at camp, everything changes.
Thanks to the support of generous donors, thousands of children each summer are given the chance to laugh freely, sleep soundly, and feel safe—often for the first time in a long while. They’re surrounded by compassionate staff, many of whom have faced similar struggles and now serve as living proof that hardship doesn’t have to define the future.
More recently Missions staff have been trained in working with kids dealing with PTSD and the trauma and loss created by war. Our camps are often the first opportunity for many of the children to process and open about their fears and loss brought on by the violence of war.
Through games, meals, worship, crafts, children rediscover the joy of simply being a kid without the fear of being bullied simply due to their family's lack of resources.
The impact goes beyond the moment. Summer Camp helps children regain confidence, build friendships, and experience the unconditional love of God—planting seeds of healing that can grow for a lifetime. Many campers have described it as the best week of their lives. And for some, it marks the very beginning of emotional and spiritual transformation.
In Ukraine, where the effects of war are deeply felt, these camps are more than just a getaway—they’re a beacon of normalcy and peace in a world that often feels anything but.
As a mission, we believe in the power of relationships, of walking with families for the long-term. But sometimes, one week can make all the difference. That’s the miracle of Summer Camp.
You can be part of that miracle.
Your support today can help send a child to camp this summer—offering not only a safe and joyful experience, but a renewed sense of hope that they’ll carry with them long after they return home.
Together, we can partner to ensure no child has to face the weight of poverty or war alone.
