WESTERN EUROPEAN DIOCESE: 8 July 2025
Summer children's camp in Switzerland opens

On 6 July, 2025, the ninth session of the annual Orthodox children’s camp opened in the Swiss Alps. The camp, which operates both in the summer and the winter, has become a beloved tradition of the Western European Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

With each passing year, the camp continues to grow and develop, while remaining true to its principal vocation: to raise children in the spirit of the Orthodox Faith. This year, children aged 8 to 17 are taking part, assisted by experienced counselors, many of whom were once themselves campers.

The summer camp is dedicated to St John of Shanghai and San Francisco. Each day the children and leaders pray together, participate in divine services, confess and receive Holy Communion, hold spiritual discussions, while children are taught reverence for their parents, for their elders, and for one another.

Archpriest Emilian Pochinok writes: "We give thanks to the Lord for the opportunity to hold the camp in this marvelous place, surrounded by nature, silence, mountains, and grace. The Alps are particularly beautiful at this time of year, and we feel here a special closeness to God."