Located in the Valdai District of the Novgorod Region, “Lesnaya Skazka” will host eight sessions beginning June 30, 2025, expecting over 700 participants.
Established in 2003, “Lesnaya Skazka” provides a unique and supportive environment for families raising children with special needs. It offers a natural setting where children facing adaptation difficulties, behavioral challenges, and a range of developmental disorders can relax, thrive, and continue their therapeutic activities.
At “Lesnaya Skazka,” specialists from the Center for Curative Pedagogics extend the support they provide throughout the school year. Children participate in group activities, clubs, and workshops, as well as enjoy nature-based experiences like hiking, berry and mushroom picking, fishing, and swimming. Meanwhile, parents can benefit from psychological and art therapy groups or simply relax and recharge.
The campsite welcomes current and former pupils of the Center for Curative Pedagogics, alongside children from regional partner organizations within the Alliance “Value of Everyone.” Families attend with parents, grandparents, and siblings, creating a strong sense of community.
A key feature of “Lesnaya Skazka” is its familiar and welcoming atmosphere. Teachers and volunteers known to the children from the school year accompany them to the camp, ensuring continuity and comfort. Children with developmental disabilities spend time with their neurotypical peers – siblings and the children of staff and volunteers – participating in shared activities and building friendships.
Sessions average 10 days in length, with families staying in their own tents. However, the campsite offers modern amenities to ensure a comfortable experience. Fully-equipped stationary kitchens, heated shower cabins with wheelchair ramps, and laundry facilities are available. Indoor activity spaces are housed in renovated and heated buildings from a former Soviet pioneer camp.
The camp’s ongoing development is supported by partners like the auditing and consulting company “Kept,” whose employees volunteer their time during the pre-season construction shift. In 2024, “Kept” built two gazebos and a new stage. “This year, ‘Kept’ is sponsoring a major project to overhaul the water supply,” explains Irina Balashova, Head of the Center’s campsite in Valdai. “We plan to install a winterized system, with the future goal of building a well-insulated house to allow us to host winter camps.” “Lesnaya Skazka” offers an environment for inclusive recreational and therapeutic experiences.