Orthodox camps for children, teenagers and family camps - list with addresses and reviews

Many parents (not necessarily churchgoers) are afraid to send their children to summer health camps out of fear for their health or the bad influence that other children may have. In this regard, Orthodox children's camps look very attractive.

Not all camps that call themselves Orthodox or Orthodox-oriented are the same. Only a few of them accept children strictly from Orthodox families who regularly attend the temple, and before enrolling in the camp, they conduct an interview at which the child is required to know the commandments and basic prayers. Most Orthodox children's camps accept any children who are willing to submit to the camp regime. And the regime includes reading morning and evening prayers, prayer before and after meals, and visiting church on Sunday.

The rest of the day in the camps is filled in different ways. Somewhere the emphasis is on hand-to-hand combat and archery, somewhere on traditional folk crafts, somewhere on historical and literary games. The living conditions also differ: there are tent camps where children cook their own food under the guidance of a chef. There are camps based on boarding houses or holiday homes, where children live in buildings and eat in the dining room. Such camps hold not only summer sessions, but also invite children to other holidays - autumn, winter, spring, and even the May holidays.

The Motherhood portal has prepared an overview of the most famous Orthodox children's camps.

Orthodox camp "Star of Bethlehem"

https://www.campzv.ru/

Orthodox-oriented camp "Star of Bethlehem" - on-site programs for schoolchildren, which are developed and conducted by the Game Simulation Workshop. Programs about the meaning of human life, about the purpose of man, about how life is connected with faith. A person is only truly human when he seeks and finds meaning in everything he lives. We work to ensure that children become real people. Each shift is dedicated to a specific topic, for example, “The Chronicles of Narnia” or some episode from the history of the Promised Land. Here what is written on the pages of history textbooks and told in fairy tales comes to life.

Each program is an adventure story in which there is a place for heroism, loyalty, honor, and moral principles. Together we become participants in the story we create. This is a game in which you need to overcome difficulties and trials, make responsible decisions, negotiate and cooperate in order to be ready for this in life.

The cost of programs for spring break 2021 is from 18,900 to 22,000 rubles.

Children's Orthodox camp "Bogoslovo"

https://www.bogoslovo.org/

The Orthodox children's camp "Theology" at the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Petrovsky Park in Moscow was created in 1993 with the blessing of the rector of the temple, Archpriest. Dmitry Smirnov and is organized by the parish. The core of the camp's leadership team is made up of pedagogically trained young people who carry out church obedience in the camp.

Since 2011, all shifts have been held in the village. Myshkino. The camp itself is located 300 meters from the temple on a large island, separated from the shore by a 50-meter strait. Around the island there is a calm water surface of the reservoir, conducive to traveling by boat.

The form of the camp is a basic tent camp. Children live in a clearing in large army tents. Tents are placed in two rows, creating space for general camp events. The tent city is crowned by a portable tent temple.

The life of the camp is simple and natural. Inside the tent there is a wooden flooring on which children sleep in sleeping bags. Hygiene procedures are performed in a warm river. Additionally, a shower and even a tent sauna are provided for insurance. A separate tent houses a first-aid post, in which a medical worker is on duty - a doctor or nurse who permanently resides on the island.

Before opening, the camp is inspected by RosPotrebNadzor specialists. The holding of the camp is coordinated with the district administration.

The main goal of the camp is to continue the family education of churched families in the conditions of an away camp. The camp accepts baptized children from Orthodox families, aged from 10 to 17 years. To register for the camp, you must pass an interview, which tests your knowledge of the basic prayers (Our Father, Virgin Mary, I Believe) and the 10 Commandments.

The basis of camp life is the traditions of the Orthodox Church and a healthy lifestyle, as well as the maximum possible distance from the temptations inherent in the modern world. Morning and evening prayer rules are performed daily in the camp. On Saturdays and Sundays, and on the eve of major holidays, camp residents attend services in the church, as well as Liturgy once a shift right on the camp grounds in a portable tent church.

Along with spiritual conversations and educational games and activities, the camp program includes a lot of active and sporting events. In fact, every child and adult, having been to the camp, returns stronger, more skillful, seasoned and stronger than before. This is achieved, first of all, by living in tents and spending the day doing active activities in the fresh air. At the same time, you often have to overcome everyday difficulties. After all, the weather brings either rain, or wind, or sun, or coolness. In any weather, children come out of the tents and prepare food, clean the area, bring firewood and food, and fully comply with the regime. So they take care of the camp, and the camp takes care of them, and this way of life strengthens and strengthens.

There is no information on the cost of shifts on the website.

Children like to relax in Orthodox camps

– Konstantin Sergeevich, what summer camps is your organization holding this year?
– This year, for the third time, we are holding the sea camp “St. George’s City” at Cape Fiolent (translated as Land of God) in the Sevastopol region. The name of the camp is no coincidence - three hundred meters from it is the monastery of the Great Martyr St. George the Victorious. Directly next to the camp beach, a mountain juts out from the sea, on which in 891 the Holy Great Martyr George appeared to sailors in distress. Now at the site of the phenomenon there is a five-meter consecrated cross. In the same year 891, almost 100 years before the Baptism of Rus' (!), the monastery was founded. And his abbot, Hieromonk Aristarchus, and other monks treat us very well. We are holding a permanent camp for the third time, and before that we lived in tents right on the territory of the monastery for several years. Children are children, their games inevitably disturbed the peace of the monastery, so when we began to grow, we took Father Aristarchus’ blessing to organize a stationary camp. Today we rent a hotel. All children live in 3-4-bed rooms. But we still attend monastic services and are nourished by the brethren of the St. George Monastery.

– Do you only take church-going children to the camp?

– No, this is a missionary camp (like other Common Cause camps), so it is open to everyone. Children attend morning prayers or services only if they wish. But you understand that people who are completely indifferent to the Orthodox tradition are unlikely to send their children to an Orthodox camp. As a rule, children in the camp begin to attend church, many confess and receive communion for the first time in their lives. But if visiting a temple is voluntary, then the rules of behavior are mandatory for everyone. For drunkenness, smoking, foul language, disobedience to elders, disrespect for the Orthodox tradition, we are sent home. We warn parents about this in advance. In three years, two guys were sent away.

– How do you organize children's leisure time?

– We hold a lot of sporting events. The morning, as in any children's camp, begins with exercises. We swim in the sea a lot. Naturally, in order to avoid accidents at sea, there are special fences, and rescuers and scuba divers watch the guys. There is a coach who teaches swimming to those who can’t. And for good swimmers there is a scuba diving section. Competitions are held in football, volleyball, badminton, and table tennis. There is also a hand-to-hand combat instructor in the camp.

– Do you go hiking?

– We have tents and the necessary camping equipment. For those who wish, we organize trips with one, sometimes two overnight stays.

– What is your cultural program?

– Very wide. Every evening we conduct different quizzes: on the Law of God in poetry, on natural sciences, “I want to know everything,” “Guess the melody.” We organize viewings of films on Orthodox themes with discussion. For example, a film about the history of the Russian Orthodox Church “Under the Cover of Grace.” We perform at Fiolent in front of sailors with a concert or performance. The concert consists of two parts: Orthodox chants and children's songs. In addition, there are clubs for children: choir, karaoke, guitar playing, theater, “Rescuer” (Basics of life safety), beading, knitting, macrame, embroidery, ikebana, sports. But kids choose clubs, like sports sections, at will. And evening events are a must for everyone.

– Are you involved in religious education of children?

– Every Sunday after the liturgy we have conversations with children. We tell them about today's holiday, explain the passage from the Gospel that was read at the liturgy, and answer questions. And children ask all sorts of questions: where does God live, who are the Angels, what is Communion? In addition, I conduct optional classes on the Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture every day. We read the Gospel with explanations.

– How many people can the camp accommodate in one shift?

– In the Crimean camp – a maximum of 70. This includes the staff. The camp employs a director, 4 teachers, 4 circle leaders and one doctor.

– Do you accept schoolchildren of all ages to the camp?

– Yes, from 1st to 11th grade. We traditionally have 3 squads: junior, middle and senior. The maximum squad size is 20 people. This team consists of two teachers. But a squad can consist of two people, and it will still be a squad.

– What requirements do you impose on teachers who want to work in your camp?

– The main requirements are professionalism and churchliness. The St. Tikhon's Institute provides us with great help. Students of the missionary faculty (I myself graduated from this faculty) constantly work as counselors for us.

– How many days does one camp session last?

– 15. The first shift departs on May 30, on the day of the Holy Trinity, the second on June 13. According to our tradition, “St. George’s City” is a June camp. This is precisely why we initially began to take children to Crimea, because in our region in June, as a rule, it is quite cold. This year, at the request of parents, we will hold a sea camp in August. In addition, we operate two more camps.

For the fifth time, together with the Moscow Border Institute of the FSB of Russia, we are holding a military-patriotic camp “Ratnaya Zastava”. This camp is located in Protvino - the greenest city in the south of the Moscow region. Moreover, in recent years, at the request of parents, we have been holding a camp in Protvino not only in the summer, but every holiday. This summer, the first shift leaves on June 30, the second on July 17. Both shifts are also 15 days long. Children and staff live in the school, which we rent. In one shift, the camp can accommodate 60 people - 45 girls and boys and 15 instructors, teachers, and doctors. The camp is led by a 5th year cadet of the Border Institute, Sergei Aleksandrovich Melin. He is assisted by third, fourth and fifth year cadets. All of them were recommended by their command. The leaders of the camp are parishioners of the Sretensky Monastery.

Camp "Military Outpost" is a small children's army. Here children are engaged in drill training, shooting, and hand-to-hand combat. If in a sea camp a hike is voluntary, then in the “Military Outpost” it is mandatory. Also, Zarnitsa is a must for everyone. We take a flight with the children on the AN-2 plane. As in all camps, there are sports sections for those interested, not only games, but also horse riding and mountaineering.

– Where did you find mountains in the Moscow region?!

– There are no mountains, but there is an abandoned mill on the Protva River. (During the war, it was defeated by Soviet troops - the Germans were hiding there). Also not far from the camp there is a long-inactive swimming pool. We train the guys on these walls. Classes are taught by professional climbers. They teach children not only to climb rocks, but to cross the river and provide first aid.

– Do you also take not only church-going children to this camp?

– We have a general rule for all camps. Church involvement is a prerequisite for teachers. Both the cadets and the climbers working at the “Ratnaya Zastava” are Orthodox people. We take all children who want to, but we warn them about the Orthodox orientation of the camp and strict discipline. (And in the military-patriotic camp it is especially strict). The camp is cared for by the rector of the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos in the city of Protvino, Archpriest Pavel Pedanov. The temple is located eight hundred meters from the camp. But attendance at services, confession and communion for children is optional. I repeat, we are conducting missionary camps.

– Please tell us about the third camp.

– The third camp – “World of God” – is being held for the first time this year. It is led by methodologist Pavel Genrikhovich Zakharov with a team of church-going teachers who have experience in conducting camps for children and youth activists. The goal of all our camps is to create a healthy children's team and get acquainted with the Orthodox tradition. We are trying to revive the traditions of the best children's camps of the past. In the “World of God” camp, 3 shifts of 21 days are planned: from June 7 to 28, from July 1 to 21 and from July 24 to August 13. Each shift has its own program.

Since most high school students take exams or do internships in June, the first session - “Star Country” - is designed for children of middle and primary school age. Through games we want to introduce children to the nature of Russia. The second shift – “Noah’s Ark” – includes civic education. Under the guidance of experienced teachers, role-playing games “Presidential Republic” and “Citizen of the Planet” are held. In the third shift, military-patriotic education is added to civil education. The main event of the third shift is the military-historical role-playing game “Sergius’s Army”.

– Where will the camp take place?

- In the Tula region. We rent a pioneer camp. We have at our disposal spacious buildings for 40 people each, wonderful game rooms, a dining room, and a swimming pool.

– Here you won’t get by with fifteen teachers.

- We won't get by. But there are enough teachers who meet our requirements. There aren't enough children yet. Only 20 people signed up for the first shift. The camp is being held for the first time, no one knows about it yet, but we hope that over time it will become famous. The program is very interesting. In addition to the main role-playing games, each shift includes wood painting, guitar, dance and choral clubs, tourism, mountaineering, and hand-to-hand combat sections. There will be excursions to Tula. The children will visit the Museum of Weapons, Gingerbread and Samovars, the Historical Museum, the Tula Kremlin, as well as the Kolyupanovsky Monastery, where they will visit the relics of Blessed Euphrosyne of Alexinskaya and bathe (of course, in agreement with their parents) in the holy spring. In the future we plan to build a chapel on the camp grounds. For now, on Sundays and holidays, those who wish, accompanied by counselors, will be able to travel by bus to Tula churches. It's a 20 minute drive.

– Do children from orphanages and disadvantaged families go to your camps?

– We have excellent relations with the Noginsk Orthodox orphanage. In particular, out of the twenty children who will go to the “World of God” for the first shift, 10 are pupils of this orphanage. Of course, we accept such children only after an interview. Several times they took children from disadvantaged families, but only at the specific request of employees or friends of “Common Cause”.

– How to sign up for your camps?

– Just call the “Common Cause” organization by phone (495) 506-14-69 or send a request by email to [email protected] We recommend that children and parents familiarize themselves with the camp programs and rules for participants on the website detstvo-detstvo.ru. Our address: 1st Vladimirskaya, building 20, office 33A. Directions to the station metro station "Perovo". After the holidays, we invite their participants to weekly classes of the organization’s clubs, which work weekly in various districts of Moscow under programs of spiritual, moral and military-patriotic education. There are sports programs: hand-to-hand combat, swimming, mountaineering. Classes are held free of charge.

– In the summer, not only schoolchildren, but also students have holidays. Do you conduct camps for youth?

– Yes, and on the model of the labor camps of the 70s and 80s. We help restore monasteries. This year, from July 16 to 26, we will work at the Serpukhov Vladychny Convent, where the icon of the Mother of God “Inexhaustible Chalice” is located. This monastery welcomes us for the second time with the blessing of Abbess Alexia. The camp is international, the French and Czechs will take part in it. During the day, work at the monastery, and in the evening, leisure - concerts, quizzes, hikes, trips. The program is very interesting.

– Do you know of Orthodox camps run by other organizations that you could recommend to readers?

– The Center for the Spiritual Development of Youth at the St. Daniel Monastery holds the “Star of Bethlehem” camp near Diveevo. The camp is being held for the second time. Its organizer Yegor Kovrizhkin not only works with children, but also attracts young people under 25 years of age to work and organizes their training.

With the blessing of Metropolitan Kliment of Kaluga and Borovsk, Orthodox entrepreneurs will hold the “Star” camp near Tarusa for the third time. The base is located next to Oka. One of the directors of the base, Vyacheslav Vyacheslavovich Glinchikov, recruits Orthodox teachers. With the blessing of Bishop Clement, Father Andrei from Tarusa lives in the camp with the children. The only drawback of this camp is the small and cold tile houses. Work ahead to restore the warm brick building. Sponsors needed. But in terms of leisure time, teachers do everything to make it interesting for children.

I told you about stationary camps, that is, camps that have a permanent base accepted by the sanitary-epidemiological and fire services. But many parishes have been successfully organizing tent camps for a long time. I would especially like to mention the St. Tikhon's Institute. Deputy Dean of the Missionary Faculty Andrey Borisovich Efimov has been traveling with children to the Yaroslavl region for more than 10 years. Archpriest Dimitry Smirnov actively helps him in organizing the camp. The selection for this camp is more strict. It is primarily held for children from the parishes of the Brotherhood of the All-Merciful Savior. But St. Tikhon's Institute began as a school at a fraternity, and became a world-famous theological institute. I think that the brotherhood camp also has a great future. Perhaps our own base will appear, and it is this camp that the organizers of stationary camps will take as a model.

The Department for Youth Affairs of the Russian Orthodox Church has been holding summer scout camps, usually tent camps, for more than 10 years.

Practice has shown that children like to relax in Orthodox camps. It is there that many discover the world of the Church for the first time. We hope that the number of such camps will increase. There aren't enough of them yet. Each of the organizers of these programs needs sponsorship and, of course, assistance from the Moscow government and federal authorities, since work is underway to implement children's and youth programs. I will quote the words of the former Minister of Education V.M. Filippov: “The education of youth is a common cause of the state, society, and the Church.”

Interviewed by Leonid Vinogradov

Summer Orthodox camp “Forest Town”

https://www.les-gorodok.ru/

The children's and youth Orthodox project "Forest Town" was founded in 2004. It takes place in the Konakovsky district of the Tver region at the confluence of two small clean rivers.

The idea of ​​the Forest Town is to immerse the ripples in the world of living nature, an interesting, creative and adventurous life based on the Orthodox way of life.

Programs. Each trip to Lesnoy Gorodok provides an opportunity to participate in a unique multi-age program that immerses children in a special topic: from historical and cultural to local history and tourism.

We try to teach children useful skills and abilities, working with them in craft workshops, studying Russian folklore, drawing and weaving, natural history, basic military training, sports games and the basics of tourism.

In addition, we organize games, competitions and tests - day and night, but quite feasible and memorable. We explore the surrounding nature, hold creative evenings and unforgettable bonfires.

Our programs do not seek to entertain or keep kids occupied with “something.” It is important for us that they themselves feel the joy of discovery, joint teamwork, overcoming difficulties and become captivated by the amazing life in the forest.

The Orthodox way of life consists of prayers in the morning and evening, before and after meals, and a healthy approach to resolving conflicts and difficulties. All program participants will have the opportunity to attend the liturgy - confess and receive communion right in the forest, where we are setting up a camp church, or visit a nearby temple. Services are conducted by priests of the Tver diocese with the blessing of Metropolitan Victor of Tver and Kashin.

There is no information on the cost of shifts on the website.

Orthodox military-patriotic camp "Ratnaya Zastava"

https://www.detstvo-detstvo.ru

The Orthodox military-patriotic camp “Ratnaya Zastava” has been held since 2003. The camp program includes: Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture (elective), NVP, hand-to-hand combat, historical reconstruction, role-playing games, shooting from small-caliber rifles in a shooting range, from pneumatic weapons and mock-up laser weapons, archery, tourism, mountaineering, fencing, archeology, medicine, trolley descent 70 meters, French and German languages ​​(electives), basics of playing the guitar, karaoke, learning bard songs, classical dances, Russian folk dances, sports games (football, volleyball, basketball, tennis), lapta, water park, day hikes , fishing on the Protva and Oka rivers. General camp events take place daily: competitions, concerts, creative evenings and conversations around the fire. For classes, the equipment used is Laser Tag, Intex - 5. Those who wish can go to the Tarzan Park, go karts at the Drakino oxygen resort, fly on an AN-2 plane and a hot air balloon. For foreign groups there are teachers with knowledge of five languages.

Camp "Military Outpost" invites girls and boys from 7 to 17 years old. Participation of parents is possible under the general conditions of residence of camp participants if they have a medical book. The maximum number of participants in an Orthodox-oriented camp is 50 people.

The rural tourist base "Easter Island", where the "Ratnaya Zastava" camp is based, is located 100 km from the Moscow Ring Road, between the villages of Yuryatino and Khrushchevo, on the border of the Moscow and Kaluga regions, 1 km from the science city of Protvino, Moscow region. The guest house bedrooms have from 6 to 18 IKEA beds, shower rooms and toilets on each floor, a new wooden dining room is next to the guest house.

The duration of the shift is 14 days.

The cost of a summer shift in 2021 is 34,000 rubles.

Youth tent camp in the Root Desert

A traditional youth tent camp dedicated to the religious procession with the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God “The Sign” from Kursk to the place of its discovery in the Root Hermitage (Zolotukhinsky district of the Kursk region) will be held on July 1–3.

The age of participants is 14–35 years old, the camp is free. The camp program includes participation in a religious procession (July 1, first half of the day) from Kursk to a tent camp in the Root Hermitage, resettlement, songs around the fire, Bible hours, music master classes (learning spiritual chants, troparions), art master classes (plein air, watercolor painting), tour of the monastery, “Breakthrough” sports competitions, participation in divine services.

Representatives of other dioceses wishing to join the camp must send applications indicating the last name, first name, patronymic and age of the participants by email no later than June 1.

Contacts: priest Vladimir Shilin 8-951-337-80-33; Strelkova Natalya 8-920-734-70-66; Rovenskaya Irina 8-910-279-01-11 E-mail Tel. (general)

International language Orthodox camp "Grand Duchy"

https://vkcamp.com/

The Grand Duchy camp is based in the Malakhovka sanatorium, 37 km from Moscow. The camp accepts children from 5 to 16 years of age of any degree of church affiliation. Children live in 3-4 bed rooms with private facilities and are provided with 6 balanced dietary meals a day.

22 thematic general camp games are held per shift. The camp program includes: a swimming pool, a salt cave, go-karts, laser tag, a trampoline, pneumatics, archery, handicrafts, sword fighting, jolitics, daily game classes in English, daily concerts, show programs, animators for children 6-9 years old. Conversations about morality, daily prayer, a one-time visit to church, participation in the Sacraments.

Spiritual conversations are held at the camp, where issues of honesty and honor, kindness and mercy, respect and compassion are discussed. This helps children build real human relationships with each other and treat their actions and life with awareness.

English classes at the camp are held in a playful way that is comfortable for the child, for 40 minutes a day. There are no strict assessments or fear of answering incorrectly; training takes place in a friendly atmosphere and in a group where all the students have the same level of English proficiency. During the summer holidays, groups studying with native speakers are organized. The chosen form of classes is conversational and playful, thanks to them the child’s interest in learning the language is activated and the “language barrier” is overcome, which often develops in schools due to the fear of seeming funny or getting a bad grade.

Every day something interesting happens at the camp, and the participants are busy preparing for various events, be it role-playing games (Princely Squad Day, Hunters Day, Business Day, where you can try on the role of a hunter, warrior or become a Business School graduate), special themed days (Movie Day or Fashion Day, thanks to which children have the opportunity to be an actor or design their own clothing collection).

The duration of summer shifts is 11 days. There are also shifts during the autumn, winter and spring holidays.

The cost of summer shifts in 2021 is 34,000 rubles. Discounts are provided to families with many children, as well as brothers and sisters; state compensation for the trip is possible. If the child does not like the camp during the first three days, the camp promises a refund of the full cost of the trip (with a minimum deduction of the actual costs of travel, accommodation and food).

Educational and training

The son of one of the Pokrov editorial staff, drafted into the Armed Forces, in the first, most difficult days of the army, received the gratitude of the commander and was entered into his personal file. “How did you do it?” - Mom was surprised. “It was more difficult for Degrik...” answered the recruit, who, shortly before being drafted into the army, visited a military-patriotic Orthodox camp under the leadership of Nikolai Nikolaevich Degrik (training camp).

For many teenagers, summer camps and year-round training camps have been a true school of life for many years, and for young people they are also a good way to prepare for military service.

A special feature of this year’s summer shifts is that students will not only “fight”, but also work in greenhouse farming, gardening and sheep farming. The cadets will learn to care for chickens, geese and rabbits, cook food, catch and fry fish.

Relaxation on the water

In the summer of 2021, it holds two shifts: July 15–22 and August 6–13. The camp accepts children and youth from 9 to 27 years old (in two age groups – 9–13 and 14–27 years old), the children live in houses and tents. The older group goes through a school of survival in extreme conditions - on the islands, in the old fortress.

All programs include military sports training for cadets, shooting from hunting crossbows and sports bows, tactical airsoft, shooting from pistols with a laser pointer, classes in special tactical and assault training in steppe and forest areas, orienteering and camouflage (sniper training), survival on a mountain river (flow speed 5–7 m/sec.). It is expected to visit the Church of the Ascension of the Lord in the village of Storozha, previously restored by children, and participate in divine services and the Sacraments of the Church.

The camp's teaching staff is represented by officers from law enforcement agencies and security agencies, clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church, and parents.

exists with the support of the Union of Afghan Veterans of the South-East Administrative District (V.E. Kostyuchenko, Defense Committee of the State Duma), the Synodal Department for Interaction with the Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies (Friester Vadim Vdovin).

The cost of the trip is 10 thousand rubles. Contacts: camp director Nikolai Nikolaevich Degrik Tel.: 8-916-108-07-71, e-mail Synodal Department for interaction with the Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies: Father Vadim Vdovin Tel.: 8-963-770-83-54, e-mail

Military-patriotic Orthodox camp

Orthodox military-patriotic camp "Recruit"

https://land.rekrut-camp.ru/

Orthodox military-patriotic camp “Recruit” is a project that harmoniously combines military-sports, cultural-educational and spiritual directions. At Camp "RECRUIT" your child will learn to defend himself from bullies and cross-stitch, navigate the terrain and in life.

The camp is located at the Polyanka recreation center, near the city of Krasnoarmeysk. This picturesque place, with a small lake and a farm, is located among deciduous and coniferous forests. Children live in well-heated brick buildings with private amenities, 4-8 people each. Five meals a day.

The camp program has three main areas:

1. Military sports direction.

hand-to-hand combat

• laser tag
• sports bullet shooting
• horseback riding
• fencing
• archery
• topography and orientation
• survival in forests and other extreme situations
• sports games (football, volleyball, basketball, tennis),
• lapta and much more.

2. Cultural and educational direction.

• Russian folk dances
• Russian folk games
• Russian military history
• learning Cossack songs
• handicraft workshop
• flanking with a Cossack saber

3. Spiritual and moral direction.

moral atmosphere of the camp

• morning and evening prayers
• foundations of god's law
• spiritual conversations with a priest
• participation in the sacraments of confession and communion
• temple on the camp grounds

The camp program also includes various talk shows, intellectual competitions and theatrical performances. Watch movies outdoors on the big screen. General camp events take place daily: competitions, concerts, creative evenings and conversations around the fire.

The cost of the spring shift (7 days) is 19,000 rubles.

What it is

An Orthodox camp for children is a resting place for churchgoers and non-church members, similar to ordinary pioneer recreation centers. Depending on the type of recreation center, believers and non-believers teenagers can come there, alone or with their families, and have a good time, but it is important to understand the direction and not have any aversion to it.

The main task of such a vacation spot is to open the vast world of the Orthodox faith and teach children relationships built on Christianity. In no case do teachers force you to participate in events or convert to Orthodoxy.

About Orthodoxy for children:

• Conversations with children about the need to wear a cross
• Conversations with children about St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
• How and when to tell and explain to children about God

Such vacation spots differ by type:

1. Regional - children from any family can take part in these;
2. Stationary - based on local churches and parish schools;
3. Educational - these have a certain focus so that teenagers develop in a certain direction (sports, studying the Word, etc.);
4. Family type - usually tent recreation centers, in which whole families can take part. Usually such places have a rich program.

Regardless of the type, the main task of such a vacation spot is to educate teenagers through joint activities. Those. participants do something together and learn to interact with each other through it.

At a children's Orthodox camp

How to choose the right camp

To choose the right vacation spot, you should:

• know who organizes it, who works in it, the main mission and task. It is very important to familiarize yourself with spiritual directors, counselors and leadership;
• communicate with those who have already vacationed there. Moreover, interview both adults and children;
• find out the program and the experience of the counselors. Perhaps stay there for a day to help the child adapt.

The difference between Orthodox recreation centers and ordinary ones

There are two main differences: external and internal.

External:

• morning and evening prayers;
• participation in temple services and sacraments;
• studying the Law of God;
• trips to holy places;
• spiritual mentoring of priests.

But much more important is the internal content, teaching children relationships that are based on a Christian worldview. On such a vacation, a child finds himself in a society where love and trust dominate. He is respected there and all attempts at humiliation between children are suppressed.

In addition, moral standards are taught.

Important! Foul language and promiscuity are prohibited and suppressed. Teenagers learn to relax in an atmosphere of morality and ethics. It is extremely important to cultivate the right spirit in young men, teach them to rely on the Lord and combine spiritual life with leisure and entertainment, teach them to function in society.

At a children's Orthodox camp

Orthodox camp for parents with children “Young Pilgrim”

https://www.palomnik.crimea.ua/dpl.htm

With the blessing of Metropolitan Lazar of Simferopol and Crimea, the pilgrimage department of our diocese has created and is successfully operating a children's Orthodox camp for children with parents “Pilgrim”. The camp has a 10-year history. During this time, thousands of children passed through the kind and cozy atmosphere, many of whom return here again and again.

At the camp, young pilgrims receive an unforgettable experience: during pilgrimage trips they get acquainted with the history of Blessed Tauris, which is not only a source of unforgettable impressions, but also an important stage in their introduction to Orthodox culture; swim daily in the sea and in the Saki healing mud lake, which helps improve health; participate in various games; go on a hike where competitions are held and bake potatoes; reveal their talent by performing at a farewell concert. Good nutrition, which consists mainly of natural homemade products (eggs, cottage cheese, sour cream, butter, milk, meat), contributes to the vigor and good mood of the children. The young pilgrims have vegetables and fruits on their tables every day (strawberries, cherries, peaches, grapes, apricots, nuts, etc.).

The children's Orthodox camp "Pilgrim" is located on the Black Sea coast in the urban village of Novofedorovka, which is located near the city of Saki and 20 km from Yevpatoria, in an ecologically clean area. The wide sand and pebble beach is comfortable and children really like it.

A special feature of our camp is that children do not relax alone, but with their parents or adult relatives. The boarding house is located a 7-minute walk from the sea. Rooms with all amenities, hot and cold water around the clock. Accommodation for 2, 3, 4 persons, meals in the boarding house dining room. The camp has board games, musical instruments, bicycles, and a sports ground.

Shift duration is 12 days.

The cost of a trip in 2021 is from 19,300 rubles. (in June) up to 22,900 rubles. (in August) per person.

"Grand Duchy"

The camp was organized in the Moscow region, on the basis of the Malakhovka children's sanatorium, 38 km from the Moscow Ring Road.

Summer shifts - from May 29 to June 2, from June 1 to 12, from June 15 to 26, from July 1 to 12, from July 15 to 26, from August 1 to 12, from August 15 to 26.

Recreation in the camp, sports and creative events and competitions are combined with an educational program for learning a foreign language. Spiritual and moral education includes familiarization with the Laws of God, a trip to church for worship, participation in the Sacraments of Confession and Communion, short morning and evening prayers, and daily spiritual conversations.

The camp has sports sections for fencing, crossbow and bow shooting, and sports dancing. The sanatorium has an indoor swimming pool, a large cinema hall, children are accommodated 2-3 people in rooms with all amenities.

The cost of the tour is 30,900 rubles. Contacts: Moscow, Lubyansky pr., 5/1, office 304 Tel.: 8-800-505-65-17,

Children's Orthodox camp "Bethlehem" (Alushta)

https://crimea-palomnik.urest.org/

The Orthodox camp for children with their parents was created on the initiative of the head of the pilgrimage service “Nativity of Christ”, prt. Dmitry Vinnik, with the blessing of the ruling Metropolitan of Simferopol and Crimea Lazar. The organization of this camp is aimed at instilling in children a love of nature, of the real world, so that the growing generation does not plunge headlong into the virtual artificial world of illusions, aggressiveness and selfishness.

Accommodation under this program is provided in the village of Rybachye on the seashore, in the Big Alushta area. The village is located near the beautiful Mount Demerdzhi, surrounded on one side by mountain landscapes, on the other by the Black Sea, with one of the widest coastal strips and a comfortable clean beach. Nearby is the beautiful church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.

The pilgrimage center, where pilgrims are accommodated, has comfortable 2-, 3-, 4-bed rooms, with all amenities, TV and refrigerator. The hotel is located 600 meters from the sea. On the territory there are cozy gazebos for comfortable leisure activities, and there is a sports ground with the necessary equipment at your disposal. There are various attractions on the beach.

Meals in the camp are 4 times a day, balanced, home cooking with homemade portions. The diet includes exclusively natural and fresh products, and on the tables are generous gifts of the Crimean land: strawberries, sunny grapes, apples, juicy peaches and much more. A qualified therapist is always present at the camp.

To organize leisure time, the camp has all the supplies: badminton, tennis, basketball, volleyball, soccer balls, multimedia equipment, drawing and creativity kits. When participating in program competitions, participants will certainly receive incentive prizes, and the most active, disciplined, and erudite novice pilgrim will be awarded a discounted voucher at the end of the shift.

Shifts last 12 days. It is possible to extend the shift for the desired number of days. The cost of races in 2021 was 12,000-18,000 rubles. per person depending on the month and room category.

"Pilgrimage"

The programs of the Pilgrimage Travel Club were blessed by Archimandrite Alexy (Polikarpov), abbot of the Danilov Monastery.

The camp is located in the Moscow region, in Sergiev Posad. The guys live in the Guest House boarding house, in a three-story brick building, 2-4 people per room. Facilities (toilet, shower) are located on the floor. The house has spacious rooms for classes.

The 2021 session will take place from June 18 to 27, the cost of vouchers is being determined.

Contacts: Moscow, st. Danilovsky Val, 13F, travel club “Pilgrimia” Tel.: 8-925-703-91-40 (project managers), (secretary), (fax).

Brotherhood of Orthodox Pathfinders

https://bydgotov.com/

Conducting camps is one of the most important activities of the brotherhood of Orthodox pathfinders. It is in the camps that pathfinders are truly given the opportunity to express themselves, try their strengths, exchange experiences, and see new places. In almost all camps we organize educational programs where children can learn the history of our Motherland, learn more about Orthodoxy, and learn to survive in the forest.

In 2021, BPS is holding an interregional tourist rally “Feodorovsky Town” in Oryol Polesie. The program includes training in basic skills of hiking (orienteering, making fires, survival in nature), water tourism (kayaks and catamarans), sailing, and training in mountaineering skills.

• Master classes on conducting educational role-playing games and creative activities.
• Hiking through Oryol Polesye, visiting an ostrich farm and an open-air zoo.
• Classes on Orthodoxy and pathfinder specialties. Participation in the Divine Liturgy is also planned.

If a child takes part in Brotherhood programs for the first time, it is necessary to undergo an interview. Children's age is 9-17 years.

There is no information on the cost of shifts on the website.

Orthodox camp "Symbolik"

https://www.symbolic.children

The camp is held with the blessing of Metropolitan Anthony of Bolkhov and Livensky.

The tourist camp "Symbolik" is located on the territory of the Khotynetsky district of the Oryol region, the village of Alekhino. Accommodation in tents. The camp accepts children from 10 to 16 years old (strictly without bad habits!)

The kitchen and dining room are located under comfortable tents and offer 4 meals a day. All food is prepared using the most environmentally friendly fuel, i.e. on wood and it is cooked over a fire or in a field kitchen. Herbal tea, collected and prepared with your own hands, will enchant even the most avid soda lovers with its aroma. Berries and mushrooms are also collected. During the shift, classes are conducted on self-cooking skills in the field over a fire. The camp area is equipped with washbasins, toilets, showers, and a camp field bathhouse.

The shift includes an experienced doctor who not only conducts daily morning examinations of children and checks the quality of food preparation, but also conducts first aid classes in the field. The first aid tent always has the necessary medicines. The camp area must be treated for ticks before arrival.

Several priests will hold conversations with children, interesting events and pilgrimages, and viewing of Orthodox films are planned.

The cost of the tour is 18,000 rubles. For large families there is a 10% discount.

"Symbolic"

The Orthodox tourist camp "Symbolik" is located in the Oryol region, Khotynetsky district, in the Oryol Polesie, on the shore of the Old Lake. There will be two shifts in 2021: July 10–23 and July 24–August 6. Accommodation for children is provided in tents, there is a field kitchen and shower. Schoolchildren from 10 to 16 years old are invited to the camp, strictly without bad habits.

The cost of the trip is 15 thousand rubles, there are discounts for large families, and some children are provided with free trips.

The camp program includes: classes on tourism, medical, water training, survival in natural conditions; studying the Fundamentals of Orthodoxy; visiting temples, holy springs; labor obediences; outdoor games, camp championship tournaments; visit to the zoo complex and ostrich farm; excursion to the ethnographic museum of the village. Ilyinskoe; creative workshops, hikes. Priests will be with the children at the camp.

Organizer: ANO "Symbolik", Svyatoslav Leonidovich Mozhey.

Contacts,; 8-919-267-91-12, [email protected] ; https://symbolic.children

Orthodox children's camp "Konevets"

https://konevec.com

Konevets Island is located in the western part of Lake Ladoga, seven kilometers from the shore. The beauty of this piece of land among the expanses of Ladoga is that here you can see the expanses of water, walk along the sandy or rocky shores, plunge into spruce or light pine forests nearby, unexpectedly emerge from the thicket into a spacious meadow and inhale the aroma of flowers. Nature here has been preserved in its originality and diversity.

Every day begins with prayer. Before breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, everyone prays to God together. Services are held regularly in the temple. Children receive communion and take part in divine services. The boys play football, volleyball and other outdoor games. If the weather permits, the organizers organize hikes and boating on Ladoga. Swimming in the lake and playing beach volleyball. Games with friends, helicopter flights, conversations with a priest will be remembered for a long time.

There is no information on the 2021 shifts and their cost on the website. The site is rarely updated; current information can be found in the camp group on the vk network.