Ukraine’s Summer Camps Are Altered by War

1 month ago 69

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In a forest in western Ukraine, a few dozen young men and women stood at attention in two lines in the fading evening light. Some had fake guns slung over their shoulders.

Among them was Olesya Vdovych, who had spent the day with other members of the scouting organization Plast, hauling logs, running drills and learning about first aid as part of a two-week camp last August.

“I’m eager to be prepared,” Ms. Vdovych said at the time, her long blond hair tied in two braids under a forest green cap. With a number of her friends and family fighting in the war against Russia, she said she felt it was important to be ready for any situation.

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A woman in a khaki uniform stares in the distance in a row of other enlistees.
Olesya Vdovych, left, at one of Plast’s scout camps in Baznykivka, Ukraine.

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Scouts participating in morning exercises. Campers participate in various activities drills during the two-week camp, including running and hauling logs.