"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all." 2 Corinthians 13:14
Hiking trips
We found hiking trip experiences to be crucial for growth and rehabilitation of orphan teenagers and young adults. We take groups of up to 30 hikers to the Crimean mountains and smaller groups of up to 15 people to the Carpathians, to spend a week in the midst of the most beautiful nature facing challenges, overcoming difficulties, studying God's Word and principles of successful life. In such trips we aim for creating the environment where young people can be mentored and guided by the ones who have already achieved a certain success. We choose a particular theme for every trip to be taught and discussed at the camp bonfire. Throughout the year we get ready for the trip: raising funds and necessary equipment and picking out the young people who are ready for it.
Crimean hikes for orphan teenagers
Each and every teenager who's been to this hike dreams of going there again. The group of hikers shouldn't be too big, though. We take 20-25 teenagers with a teacher from their orphanage to spend 5 days at the saddle of mount Demerji. The agenda for a day in the mountains usually includes:
- morning motivational meeting (songs, planning the day)
- cooking meals on the bon-fire and maintaining well-being of a team (bringing water, putting up the tents, collecting wood and building the bonfire, washing-up, etc)
- smaller radial hikes to the crests and waterfalls
- sport contests and mountain climbing
- picking herbs and berries
- evening meetings at the bonfire with songs, teaching and discussions
After the five days in the muntains are over, we go down to the seaside to let the kids enjoy the sea and the sun.
Such hikes help teenagers acquire new friends, life skills, endurance, sense of responsibility, teach them to take care of themselves and their neighbour, and provide an opportunity to see beautiful nature outside the orphanage walls.
Carpathian hiking trips for orphan students.
The Carpatian mountains are breathtakingly beautiful, although quite tough. This hike is much more difficult and it's not for mouners or people with health issues. It also requires professional equipment and thourough preparation. Every day we cover a long distance carrying our backpacks and encamping in the most beautiful spots, such as: Mount Goverla - the highest crest of Ukraine, Nesamovite and Brebeneskul lakes, etc. The expences for this hike are higher, but it's definitely worth it. Young people who once learned to work as a team, overcoming fatigue, irritation, striving for small victories in the hike and reaching them, beating hopelessness and slackness, start applying these principles in real life. They are never the same after such trip. When we come down from the mountains, we spend two more days in the hospitable and picturesque towns and cities of Western Ukraine.
Thanks to our friends from other countries
Our hikings trips have been happening thanks to many wonderful people who have a heart for orphans and young people who need guidance. Some of them came to Ukraine and experiences all the challenges of the hiking trip with Ukrainian conditions, being an example of love, courage, serving leadership and true friendship. Not only did they bring the money and the equipment to make the trip happen, but they also shared their wisdom, life experience and the love of God with the future leaders with the help of interesting lessons, discussions and real life stories.
Special thanks to Trey McAlister and Sterling Hartwell, who we owe most part of our hiking equipment to. So many young people were blessed by it!
There have also been many other wonderful people who spread the information and did fundraisers. We wouldn't have been able to do it without you! Special thanks to Diane Ballard and her friends. You ongoing support brought the reality of God's love into many hearts!