At the end of every camp day, Mike Brady, one of our Board Members, would say, “Today was a good day.” This simple phrase, spoken each evening with genuine feeling, became a ritual that brought laughter every time he said it. Mike’s words always sounded spontaneous; their sincerity never diminished. Night after night, his heartfelt expression served as a reminder of the meaningful experiences shared at camp.
Mike has formed a strong bond with Artem, one of the kids at camp, who, despite his age, manages much of the camp’s media. Known for his enthusiastic hugs, Artem once embraced Mike and said, “When I hug you, I feel calm.” This moment perfectly captures the camp’s significance for the children; it is a haven where they find safety and peace, away from the stresses of war. Alongside the nurturing environment, the children also benefit from transformative medical care, making the whole experience truly remarkable.
Despite the camp’s impact, the number of children far exceeds the available team members. There is a real need for more volunteers to connect with the kids and offer support and affection. Opportunities to visit Ukraine or Poland are open to everyone. As the conflict persists, we remain hopeful for peace but are also preparing for upcoming camps. We have secured a new location in the Carpathian Mountains for late August 2026. This site can host up to 700 children. Our initial goal is to sponsor 250 kids, with the hope of growing that number as more funding becomes available.
During the week of Dreamland camp, the packed schedule makes it difficult for team members to spend quality time with the children. To foster deeper connections, the camp now offers team members the option to arrive earlier with a sponsored group of smaller groups of children, giving volunteers the chance to build lasting relationships. The camp runs from August 24 -30, so team members can either arrive at the start or come earlier to spend a few days engaging more personally with their sponsored children.
The camp is situated less than two hours past the Slovakian border, in Western Ukraine, well away from conflict zones and considered safe. The team has traveled to this area twice yearly since 2023 without incident. For those hesitant to travel to Ukraine, Poland is an alternative. In Lodz, our team works with approximately 200 Ukrainian orphan children, and scheduling is flexible to accommodate volunteers.
A dedicated webpage for this summer’s project is in development and will be shared as soon as it is ready.
Thank you once again for your ongoing support. This important work would not be possible without your help.
Vinny
