On December 2005 we were again visiting orphanages in St. Petersburg. In every way it was an usual trip. But during one visit one person heard a wish of one orphanage worker: Is there any camp in Finland where we could send our children?

As a result, we got excited of idea to organise a camp ourselves. Now it is easy to say, but it was really courageous decision to invite 180 orphans and 30 orphanage workers to Finland for a week. With having only small experience of organising events for orphans. Anyway, we did it in August 2006 and every summer since that.

Ark -camps 2006-2015

In the beginning, 2006, nobody asked any documents concerning the camp. The only official papers were invitation for visas. Full freedom of action. This was important for us, since we did not have office. Below Igor Bashlov, Director of the first Ark -camp.

Leirin johtaja Igor Bashlov lipun kanssa
Purpose of the camp was to train and activate russian volunteers from different churches to act locally in orphanages. Summer camps is a natural way to get closer to orphan youth and to start an activity in orphanage. Purpose was, as well, to recruit more volunteers to help orphans.

As organisers of the camp we were in contact with russian orphanages and local authorities. As finns we have a good reputation almost everywhere in Russia and it is worthy of use.

Camp gives us a chance to get friends with the orphan youth while they still live in an orphanage. The orphanage directors are happy that they can send their youth to our camp because they see real changes in the lives of the youth.

Winter camps

We have organised camps also during the winter holidays. These camps differ quite a lot from the summer camps: they are more family-like, due to smaller number of campers and premises that are available.

Helga ja Kari Kauttu

2008 we had the first winter camp in Keitele. Helga and Kari Kauttu (photo above) took response of the practical organisation. As a part of the camp the local orthodox church organised a special Christmas service for us, photo below.

Keiteleellä ortodoksikirkossa

2010 in Nilsiä there were excellent conditions for all kind of outside sports, cross-country and downhill skiing, football... See a video of our football game!

2011 Jushkozero, Carelian republic. The camp was held in the premises of local pentecostal church. Below the shepherds are waking the kids up while looking for the newborn Saviour.

Paimenet etsivät Vapahtajaa
2012 Siilinjärvi. Local Youth With a Mission was a good place to have a camp. Photos below.

White cards are "sent"

A group photo of winter camp 2012
2013 Toivakka. Again the weather conditions were just excellent for winter sports: skiing, sledding, capture the flag -game, ice hockey, winter swimming and - of course, football. Below photos from the camp, Natalia Timofeevna with the sign and boys eating.

Natalia Timofeevna

Syömässä

Results

The first camp did not look so good in the eyes of organisers. It looked as a chaos many times. So we were a bit afraid to meet with the orphanage staff while preparing for a visit to the orphanages after the camp. We wanted to know the opinion of the volunteers, too.

We were really surprised to hear the feedback from the orphanages. The most unforgettable story was one of a 15-year old young man from Petrozavodsk. His life was totally changed.

The 15-year old young man was living in orphanage No4. He had been smoking, using different intoxicants and accordingly behaving badly until the camp. After arrival from the camp his life turned opposite: No smoking or drugs anymore, but an icon (a religious symbol) on the bedside table. And he had begun to attend a local church. Below a photo of young men from the first camp. Listening carefully.

Boys at the first Ark -camp
As a result of the first camp, the orphanages began to trust on us and on local churches generally. The camp staff had consisted of church volunteers who had heard of the camp somehow. Protestant churches are regarded as sects in many cities, but that prejudice was won now. The Ark -camp enabled the churches to function more openly in the orphanages.

To say it shortly, the changes we saw in the lives of the orphan youth surprised us - and continue to surprise. The hard surface and unfriendly gestures are changed friendly and smíling without exemption. Many of the campers unburdened themselves by telling us their most painful memories and wanted to turn to God.

Maybe the most remarkable result of the Ark -camp was feeling received by most campers that they are loved and cared – not only by people but also by God. Video from 2009 camp shows how camper got into the positive atmosphere of the camp.
Hundreds of volunteers got friends with some orphans through our camp and as far as we know, dozens of them are still actively in contact with them. While visiting orphanages we see a lot of physical needs, but still the inner needs - social, mental and spiritual – are more important. In orphanages often happens that the strongest makes the rules and that causes a lot of pain inside the child. That is why mere presence of a caring adult can make a difference, as we see Dima doing it in Siversky (below).

Dima and boys

The end of the story of Ark -camp in Finland

Every year we have spoken openly about challenges of the camping ministry for russian orphans. Financial deficit, annual growth of organising work and lack of committed doers were the issues. In 2015 we cancelled the first camp of the summer due to lack of campers and changed the camp base after the second camp. Because of these factors we decided prior to beginning of camping season that the summer 2015 will be the last one for the Ark -camp in Finland.
So, we left the Ark. The same happened with the vessel that Noah built and used. They had to – were supposed to leave it. We did the same although it was and still is painful. Anyway, everything is in the hands of God. We did what we could.
We discussed about all of this with the russian volunteers who were committed to the camp ministry. Now it is their responsibility to continue to serve the orphans. They will do it in a different way but we want to support them.
History of our organisation continues. You may read more about it in the News -section. :)