The first session of the summer holiday programme for the children of Metinvest veterans, mobilised employees and workers who lost their lives has come to an end. The company organised a two-week trip for them to the Vodohrai children’s camp in Kosiv, in the Ivano-Frankivsk region. The other day, a second group of boys and girls set off for a picturesque corner of the Hutsul region.
Metinvest has been organising these trips to the Carpathians since 2023. This summer, the children of defenders are spending their holidays at the Vodohrai children’s camp, located at the Karpatski Zori recreation complex amid the forests and mountains of the Carpathians. Fresh air, lush green landscapes and a packed programme of activities are helping them escape their everyday worries, recharge, enjoy new experiences, immerse themselves in nature and simply be children.
fIGURE
This summer, 170 children of Metinvest employees serving in the defence forces will spend their school holidays in Kosiv, in the Ivano-Frankivsk region.
Over the course of the two-week session, participants in the first group amassed a wealth of vivid memories. Hikes in the mountains, excursions, sporting competitions, football and volleyball matches, photo quests, intellectual games and creative workshops: every day brought something new. And in the evenings, the children enjoyed karaoke, dance battles, shows and themed parties.
New friends, shared adventures, conquered peaks and the breathtaking landscapes of the Carpathians were among the memories with which participants in the first camp session returned home.
Here is what the children themselves say about their holiday.
“What I enjoyed most were the hikes in the mountains, because the scenery there was absolutely beautiful. It was also great fun taking part in quests and team games, and in the evenings going to discos. I met lots of great people my own age. We became friends very quickly and spent our time together all the time. Every day was exciting, so this is a trip I’ll definitely remember for a long time,” says 14-year-old Margaryta, the daughter of Yuliia Prus, an employee of Zaporizhstal.
After returning from military service, Yuliia joined the Zaporizhstal team and now works as a work scheduler at the sinter shop.
For 10-year-old Bohdan TYMOSHENKO, whose father worked as a foreman in Zaporizhstal’s sinter shop before being mobilised and now serves in Ukraine’s Defence Forces, the trip was his first experience of an independent holiday.
“At first, I felt a little homesick, but then I made lots of friends and things became really exciting. I liked the fact that the camp had a well-structured daily routine and a packed programme, because I play sports and am used to living to a schedule. The food was excellent as well. And what I remember most of all are the Carpathian Mountains. They’re incredibly beautiful there. I’d gladly come here again,” the boy says.
Yurii KUROPIATNYK, the son of a fallen steelworker and defender from Kamet Steel, values most of all the new friends he made during the session:
“This was already my third summer camp holiday, and it was absolutely brilliant. What I enjoyed most were the hikes, the parties and the quests. And the best part was that I made new friends. We were together all the time, joked around a lot and had a great time. We’re still keeping in touch by phone, so I hope we’ll see each other again soon. This camp will definitely remain one of my best memories of the summer."
Valeriia, the daughter of veteran Oleh POPOV, who after returning from the war works as a hot rolling mill control room operator at Kamet Steel, says she feels much more cheerful after the holiday.
“The Carpathians are incredibly beautiful, and it was actually my first time hiking in the mountains. At first it was a bit tough, but then I got used to it and was proud that I managed to make it all the way to the end. I also really enjoyed the discos. They came up with something new for us every evening. I still look back on those evenings with a smile. Since returning from the camp, I’ve been much happier and have so many wonderful memories to look back on,” the girl says.
Maksym Lysha, the son of a Kamet Steel basic oxygen furnace shop employee who is currently defending Ukraine in the ranks of the Armed Forces, dreams, like the other children, of returning to the camp again.
“For me, Vodohrai is all about unforgettable experiences. Every day at the camp was special. There wasn’t a single moment to be bored. The food was excellent, which meant we always had plenty of energy for all our adventures. I really liked our camp counsellors. They were kind, attentive and always supportive. The camp gave me a positive outlook, new friends and a wealth of wonderful memories. I’d really love to come back here again!"
Other participants in the first camp session share similar impressions.
For 16-year-old Dmytro, the son of Mykola Honcharenko, an employee of Central Iron Ore who is currently serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the holiday was memorable above all for its packed programme, excursions and new friendships.
“Everything was absolutely brilliant! My younger sister was there too. She’s nine years old. It was incredibly exciting: There were so many quests, games and discos. During the excursions, we learned a great deal and saw some beautiful places in the mountains. The holiday was wonderful!" the boy says.
Eleven-year-old Anhelina HARKUSHA, whose father returned to Inhulets Iron Ore after demobilisation and works in the Production Preparation Department’s Rehabilitation Unit, also says the Carpathian scenery, concerts and evening entertainment were the highlights of her trip.
“It was really great! I loved the mountains, the beautiful scenery, the evening concerts, the discos and meeting new people. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to enjoy such an unforgettable holiday!” the girl says.
And 14-year-old Margaryta MAZUR, the daughter of Serhii MAZUR, a mobilised employee of Northern Iron Ore, recalls not only the mountain hikes but also a special camp tradition:
“We filmed lots of videos, danced, drew pictures… I also really loved the tradition of lighting a candle at the end of each day, when we would all gather together and talk about everything that had happened during the day. It was a little sad to go home and say goodbye to the new friends I had made. I’d be delighted to come back here again.”
According to the children, the two weeks flew by in the blink of an eye. New friends, hikes in the Carpathians, sports games, quests and excursions left them with a wealth of vivid memories.
“It was absolutely brilliant! It was my first time in the mountains, and it was something truly incredible. We were taken on some really fascinating excursions. I made friends with lots of girls and was the captain of our group. I barely even had time to call my parents. Every morning I’d send a "Good morning" message, and every evening I’d record a short video from the disco. We were constantly busy with one thing or another, so it turned out to be a really fantastic holiday. And the time flew by so quickly! I’d gladly come there again,” says 12-year-old Eleonora, the daughter of Serhii Tonian, a demobilised employee of Northern Iron Ore.
“At first, I thought it would be just an ordinary summer camp, but it turned out to be far more exciting. Every day was filled with activities, excursions and sports games. We played football, went hiking in the mountains, took part in quests and entered all sorts of competitions. I made new friends and had a wonderful time. The trip has left me with so many vivid memories,” said 16-year-old Yevhen MASLOV, the son of a demobilised employee of the Support Facilities Maintenance Site at Northern Iron Ore.
