Since 2003, the Center for Curative Pedagogics, a regional non-profit social organization, has been offering summer rehabilitation and wellness retreats for our students and their families at the “Forest Tale” (Lesnaya Skazka) tourist complex in the Valdai district of the Novgorod region. This program extends the specialized work with the children that continues throughout the school year.
At “Forest Tale,” children and their parents engage in a variety of enriching activities led by specialists. These include hikes, parent support groups, and other therapeutic interventions. The summer camp provides a vital model for integrating children with special needs into the broader community. Crucially, the children with disabilities are immersed in a supportive environment with typically developing peers, including the children of our staff, siblings of our students, children of volunteers, and friends of the Center. These experiences provide new opportunities for growth, significantly improving their prospects for successful social integration.
Typically, the camp runs 6-7 sessions between June 15th and August 15th For many families raising children with developmental disabilities, this retreat is their only chance for a summer getaway. Often facing chronic stress, isolation, and anxieties about the future, parents find respite and renewed hope at “Forest Tale.” The camp offers a welcoming and accepting atmosphere, expert consultations, valuable support, and opportunities to participate in psychological training groups.
Spanning nearly 3 hectares, “Forest Tale” boasts a diverse landscape of forests, a river, rolling hills, and open clearings. Meals are prepared and enjoyed, and activities are held in the remaining buildings from the former Soviet pioneer camp. Families camp outdoors in tents while benefiting from access to modern conveniences, including hot water, restrooms, showers, washing machines, and dryers. These amenities ensure a comfortable experience, even when the weather is less than ideal.
