A Bright Haven: JBBBS Summer Camp for Dnipro Children

The community of Dnipro, Ukraine, has been seeing intensified attacks this summer. Combined Jewish Philanthropies has been supporting summer camps, which provide much-needed respite and activities for children away from the war.

This year, Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dnipro, Ukraine, took 44 kids ages 6–17 and five volunteers to beautiful Lake Balaton in Hungary for a two-week summer camp. These children have been experiencing stress and trauma, knowing many of their parents are on the front lines. The camp is more relevant than ever, offering much-needed rest, as well as fun activities like swimming, visiting the Luna Park fair, the water park, Jewish spiritual evening events, lively Shabbats, and spaces for sharing their family stories.

Ukraine’s JBBBS director, Tanya Kaplunskaya, says, “Thanks to the Boston community, we have the opportunity to give children, at least for a few days, the opportunity to mentally unload and recover.”