"Striped Raccoons": how veteran-founded adventure children's camp works during war

Children's summer camp is one of the first places where a child finds themselves without their parents for a relatively long time. Here, children become independent and, ideally, also conscious. But some problems arise with the second goal.

Most modern camps still work according to the old formats of the Soviet Union when ideological unity and repeated scenarios for each entry were laid as a basis. From the dream of creating a camp with a rich program that would promote the national consciousness of children, the adventure children's camp Striped Raccoons was born. But first, there was a war.

The camp founder Oleksandr Chub is now at the frontline. Due to priority combat tasks and unstable communication, the soldier could not speak with Rubryka. However, we still managed to find out and record the camp's history.

Oleksandr Chub is a Ukrainian veteran. Back in 2014, he joined the ranks of the 2nd battalion of the National Guard and later joined the newly formed Ukrainian Volunteer Corps. He took part in the battle for the Donetsk airport, where he received a severe leg injury. Then the doctors predicted that the man would have to use crutches for the rest of his life. But Oleksandr did not give up, fully recovered his strength, and returned to the Motherland's defense in 2022.

Oleksandr Chub. Source: Leonid Kanter on Facebook

The idea of ​​creating an exciting camp for children in a new format came to Oleksandr during rehabilitation. At that time, the veteran was in the USA and rode 10,000 kilometers on a bicycle. During the journey, the man felt so much kindness and support that he was eager to return this kindness. 

Then the publisher Vladyslav Kyrychenko supported Oleksandr's idea and provided the territory of the Kuznia youth movement center in the village of Unizh, Ivano-Frankivsk region, to host the first event. 

This is how the story of the children's adventure camp, Striped Raccoons, began. Here, children began to learn independence and responsibility, active citizenship, patriotism, and self-confidence.

One of the days in the camp. Photo provided by Maryna Lipych. 

The organizer-psychologist of the Striped Raccoons camp, Maryna Lipych, says that the camp's main idea is to add as many activities, exciting events, hobbies, and reunification with nature for children as possible. After all, this helps children to get to know their country and themselves.

"We (camp instructors, — ed.) are children of the Soviet Union. And we remember these camps, where walking from one room to another was the most interesting thing. Therefore, changing the format and presenting society with a new type of recreation for children was important. From the beginning, a program was planned that would be interesting for children, develop them, and provide valuable experience," says Maryna Lipych.

According to the woman, during their first meeting, Oleksandr spoke enthusiastically about the project. It was impossible not to join the team. 

Now, while Oleksandr is in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Anatolii Steliha is in charge of the camp. At one time, he held sports camps for children. And then he met Oleksandr Chub and joined the "raccoons." He says:

"At first, I was a camp mentor. Then I began to teach free-fight, organized an obstacle course, and later joined the camp management. Now, when Chub is at war, in addition to my usual duties, I also manage the camp, plan the program, cooperate with the team, and create a script and rules. I determine the direction of work, what we will do, what we strive for, and what we will not do."

Sviatoslav Kovalchuk, a native of Kyiv, first visited the Striped Raccoons camp in 2018 when he was 11. He went there on his mother's recommendation. The boy admits that his first experience without his parents was a little scary. 

"This was my first camp. I didn't want much to go on the first trip, but I rather had a feeling of the unknown. But the first visits to the camp changed my perception, so I wanted to go again and again. Now I go to the camp every year for five years, both for winter and summer visits. Striped Raccoons do not bore me and cannot bore me. It's all about the instructors, their presentation, and the very atmosphere of the camp," Sviatoslav shares. 

The boy says there is no division between instructors and students in the camp. The main rule is mutual respect. Everyone is a friend to each other. This is how the participants and instructors of each visit become good friends, especially after joint adventures. For example, Sviatoslav's first visit was memorable for rafting down the Dniester Canyon. 

One of the rafts in the camp. Photo courtesy of Maryna Lipych 

"It was my first rafting, and I was simply amazed by the beauty of nature and picturesque landscapes. There are many rare animals. It all mesmerized me. You swim in the river, listen to nature, and this is a vivid memory that I remember even now," says Sviatoslav.  

Sviatoslav is now preparing to join the younger instructors of the camp and start working with children who will come here for the first time, just like he once did. The boy is grateful to his mother for encouraging him to go on his first trip.  

Tetiana Andriichuk is the mother of 13-year-old Andrii, who has been going to the Striped Raccoons camp for two years in a row. She says that her son's first trip took place in 2020. Then, despite the quarantine restrictions, the center continued its work and accepted students.

Andrii in the camp (far left). Photo provided by Tetiana Andriichuk 

"The last days before the departure to the camp were a little tense for my son. It was obvious even when we were taking him to the bus. But then he met another boy almost immediately; they talked, then became friends. I was very worried about whether he would like it or be satisfied. But when he returned, his first words were, 'Mom, I really want more,'" Tetiana recalls Andrii's first trip. 

Andrii is in the camp. Photo provided by Tetiana Andriichuk 

The boy's interest in the new camp and his great desire to return there became an indicator for the family. Since then, Andrii has gone to the camp three times a year for two summers and one winter visit. 

Tetiana says that a positive aspect of the camp is the support of the psychologist, who helped the children to blend in with the team and establish relationships. Andrii said that there is a real community in the camp. There are no conflicts and tensions but only a harmonious atmosphere and mutual respect.

The first run of the Striped Raccoons camp in 2018 was designed for 50-60 children. The location in Unizh Village was then in a picturesque natural corner of the Carpathians not far from the Dniester River. 

A unique program about curiosity about the surrounding world, nature, and self-education awaited children: psychologist and camp organizer Maryna Lipych explains that all this is taught to the pupils in a playful way. Children are told how to act in a team, go hiking, knit ropes, and so on. This is helped by instructors who come to the camp and talk about various areas of activity.

Photo courtesy of Maryna Lipych 

"Unfortunately, we cannot give children all the necessary experience in one subject, but we can make them interested. We already have a positive result. We are told that the child tried to practice volleyball with us and then went to the section for a whole year. We show that there are different activities, and then the children take it into their everyday life and develop it," says Maryna Lipych.

Mrs. Maryna says that the camp initiates such interest and shows the child something new in comfortable conditions. Instructors who conduct classes for kids are engaged in their business in ordinary life. These are specialists in tourism, psychology, sports, and creativity. 

The program in the camp is quite full. Some students may get tired. But in this case, the camp applies the 15-minute rule. Each student must stay in the class for 15 minutes, but if they don't like it or get tired, they can leave the class. 

The camp's philosophy is based on specific values within which the visits take place. The first and most important value is treating children as equals. This also includes patriotic upbringing, communication in the Ukrainian language, and love for the Motherland. 

After four years of work, pupils, parents, instructors, and camp leaders have created their community. For example, in addition to camp runs, the community holds Striped Meetings in different cities. This helps the organizers to see how the children are growing and to interact with them. And the pupils like to attend meetings, meet with friends, and exchange news and stories from life.   

Traditionally, there are two runs in the Striped Raccoons camp — summer and winter. Each of them has its characteristics and program. In the summer, the emphasis is on recreation in nature, hiking, and overnight stays in tents. The winter visit is held before the New Year and is based on festive motifs traditional to Ukrainian culture. Children are introduced to the history of Ukrainian holidays and traditions, and Vertep, or the nativity scene march, is prepared. 

Vertep march of camp students. Photo courtesy of Maryna Lipych 

"Vertep is our fairy tale. Our Lilia organizes it; the children call her 'witch' because she really works miracles. First, it's a festive dinner with traditional dishes, then a costume nativity scene, where children prepare a performance and are previously cast for various roles. They walk around the village, carol, and sing. It is very warm and cozy. It leaves incredible memories for children!" says Maryna Lipych. 

This year there were two visits to the camp in winter and five in summer. Last year there were significantly more of them, but the format and location had to be changed due to a full-scale invasion. There can be about 120 children at one event. One visit lasts ten days in summer and one week in winter. During this period, children do not have time to get tired of the active and rich program, while at the same time, they enjoy nature and the adventurous atmosphere.

Camp instructor Oksana Prystai organizes the evening program and activities for children. Oksana plays various games with the children to build communication between them and get to know each other. In addition, she plans an evening program when all children gather together after a busy day and continue to communicate.

Oksana is in the camp. Photo from the girl's archive

"It can be parties or quests, or they shoot films. It can also be a film festival or an active game. It depends on the camp's theme and the children's mood. I am also a mentor, and a group of children is assigned to me; I plan a program specifically for them, conduct classes and quests, have goals, and communicate. And if there are any conflicts or questions, I solve them in my group," says Oksana Prystai. 

During one of the evening programs. Photo from the personal archive of Oksana Prystai 

The instructor says that interacting with such a large number of people is relatively easy. There are new solutions for new challenges. But this year was notable for children and instructors. Everyone had a hard time, grief, or a difficult situation due to the war in the country. But in this case, they try to talk with the children as much as possible, work out their feelings, and make them feel safe.   

One needs to pay to visit the camp, and for experienced "raccoons," there are discounts and loyalty programs. The project is social. Therefore there are discounts for children of veterans and soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Children whose parents died defending the land from the occupier can visit the camp for free. According to the camp organizers, they unite hundreds of children from different parts of the country every year.

Photo courtesy of Maryna Lipych 

This year, the holding of the camps was in jeopardy. Part of the team, including founder Oleksandr Chub, defends the country from enemies. However, the team concluded that the war should not take away children's childhood, so the camp was extended. 

"This year's runs, for me personally, seemed particularly touching and sensitive. Part of the team was not there; they are now at the frontline. Those children who constantly come to us said there are not enough camps. Therefore, communication was more sensitive and more respectful. We all appreciated that we could be there at that moment and enjoy the camp," says Maryna Lipych. 

Skiing is also held during the winter visit. Photo courtesy of Maryna Lipych 

Visits in 2022 were held in a safer place in the heart of the Carpathians. Locations were chosen as far as possible from settlements, infrastructure elements, or military facilities. 

During four years of operation, the Striped Raccoons adventure camp united about two thousand children. At the same time, most of them return. And those who have grown up already work as junior instructors. 

Maryna says that the camps will continue to work. The team is ready to adapt to new realities and circumstances, looking for safe ways and locations but continuing to give children childhood and indescribable emotions of adventure.

In general, Striped Raccoons is not so much about recreation but about education, training, and providing the necessary skills and habits. Thanks to the Striped Raccoons, even this year, children and teenagers could learn something new and be even more absorbed by the beauty of Ukrainian nature to understand that the country is indivisible. Victory awaits it. And after Ukraine wins, all the instructors will return to the camp again, meet their pupils, and gather around the traditional evening fire to sing a song.

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