338 children, 7 shifts and a summer in the Carpathians: how Pavlo Zhurilo and Betking Foundation created "Royal Rest"

This summer 338 children from 20 settlements of Ukraine visited the Carpathians as part of the "Royal Rest" project from Betking Foundation and its founder Pavlo Zhurilo. Ten days at camp gave them a chance to relax, make new friends, try something for the first time, and simply spend the summer without daily stress.

Over seven camp sessions of "Royal Rest," students from football academies and clubs, young athletes, and children who need additional support due to circumstances related to the war took part.

Among the participants were children of servicemembers and fallen defenders of Ukraine, children from internally displaced families, and those who were affected by hostilities. Participants came to the Carpathians from Oleksandriia, Sumy, Kropyvnytskyi, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Lviv, Irpin, Bucha, Sloviansk, Ternopil, Kyiv, Vinnytsia, Chernihiv and other cities and communities.

First mountains, tents and new friends

For some of the children, the Carpathians were their first introduction to mountains. The program included hikes, soccer, sports relays, team quests, creative activities, setting up camps, time at the campfire and pool time.

11-year-old Oleksandr from Kharkiv slept in a tent in the mountains for the first time: "I slept in a tent in the mountains for the first time! At first I was a little scared because it was dark around and the sounds were unusual. But then it was really cool: we sat by the fire, laughed, and in the morning we woke up, came out of the tent, and there were mountains all around. And the little clouds seemed to be floating under my feet!"

For seven-year-old Karolina from Zaporizhzhia, the main discovery was friends: "I thought we would just come to relax, but at camp I found many new friends. We swam together in the pool, went to the mountains, played and painted. Now I'm a little sad because it's ending, and I don't want to go home."

Not just rest: sports and psychological support

In addition to activities and entertainment, "Royal Rest" paid attention to psychological support. Children worked with psychologists using the system and the book "I Can," aimed at developing inner resilience, self-confidence and personal potential.

Organizers emphasize: it was important to create an environment where a child is not pitied because of their experience, but is supported and helped to discover new opportunities.

According to Betking Foundation founder Pavlo Zhurilo, this is one of the project's key ideas.

""Royal Rest" is a space where children can recover, gain new experiences, find friends and feel the support of a team. For us it is important that each child here can try something new, believe in their abilities and see that they are capable of more than they thought. We see how in just a few days children become more open and confident, begin to dream more boldly and look to the future. This is exactly how we wanted this project to be: a place where new dreams are born and the strength to achieve them appears," says Pavlo Zhurilo.

"Royal Rest" — part of a larger effort

The project became part of Betking Foundation's long-term work, which is part of King Group. The foundation also runs "Royal Journey," "A Day with the Royal Team" and the "Royal Cup."

Together these initiatives create more opportunities for children — to dream, play sports, meet idols, make friends, recover and grow.

For 338 participants of "Royal Rest" the ten days in the Carpathians ended, but they did not return home with just their suitcases. Along with them went new friends, vivid memories, the first experience of mountain adventures and a bit more faith in their own strength.