From August 1–5, 2025, the Ukrainian Center at Vytautas Magnus University welcomed 26 Ukrainian children to a special summer camp called “My Lithuanian Summer”. For five days, the Center became a place of joy, discovery, and friendship, offering children who have recently arrived in Lithuania their first opportunity to explore the country, build bonds, and feel truly at home.
The camp opened with games, quests, and team-building activities that helped children quickly get to know one another. An ice cream workshop led by American volunteers from MIT turned into a sweet cultural exchange, where fun and learning blended together.
One of the brightest highlights was the journey to Klaipėda. For many participants, it was the first time seeing the Baltic Sea. The group visited the Dolphinarium and the Sea Museum, enjoyed a picnic on the beach, and returned to Vilnius filled with wonder and new memories.
In Vilnius, the children explored local landmarks — the Museum of Illusions, Gediminas’ Tower, and the Vilnius Municipality — discovering history, science, and the workings of their new home city. Creative sessions at the Martynas Mažvydas National Library allowed them to make their own handmade items, while art therapy with psychologists from the Lithuanian Red Cross gave space for self-expression and emotional healing. The children also took part in the TeamUp program by Save the Children Lithuania — a movement-based psychosocial support activity with games, sports, dance, and teamwork exercises that helped them release stress, build trust, and strengthen resilience.
The camp was honored to welcome the First Lady of Lithuania, Diana Nausėdienė, the First Lady of Israel, Michal Herzog, and the Ambassador of Ukraine to Lithuania, Olha Nikitchenko, who spent time with the children and encouraged them with warm words of support.
Sports and music also had a special place in the program. The children tried lacrosse for the first time with the Embassy of Canada, led by Ambassador Jeanette Sautner and lacrosse expert Ryan Dutkus. They also sang together in the Friendly Choir led by Nataliia Prokopovych and reflected on their camp journey through improvisation with the Playback Theatre “Vakhtery”.
For the children, all of whom had been in Lithuania less than a year, the camp became much more than summer activities. It was a safe space where they could open up, make friends, and feel supported. Parents noticed their children becoming more confident and communicative, and many of the participants asked if the camp could last longer or happen again next year.
The Ukrainian Center sincerely thanks all the partners and volunteers whose support made “My Lithuanian Summer” possible: Career Center for Business and Hospitality VESK, Save the Children Lithuania, Lithuanian Red Cross, Embassy of Canada, Klaipėda Dolphinarium and Sea Museum, Museum of Illusions, Vilnius Municipality, Martynas Mažvydas National Library, Playback Theatre “Vakhtery”, and all the dedicated volunteers.
Though the five days passed quickly, the experience left a lasting mark on the children and on all of us who shared it with them. “My Lithuanian Summer” showed that with care, creativity, and community, children can regain joy, build resilience, and feel that they belong.
*Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Social Fund Agency. Neither the European Union nor the Granting Authority can be held responsible for them.