Volunteer team · season 01
/01
11countries
Australia · Norway · Netherlands · Italy · Sudan · Croatia · Romania · Belgium · Switzerland +2. They fly to us at their own expense.
Origin / 2024 → ∞
Camp started with one question.
Decades of Ukrainian schools without real conversation practice. The full-scale war made this barrier critical: millions of Ukrainians are abroad, while others work with international partners at home.
Along with the language barrier, there is also a cultural fear of making mistakes. Feel Free Camp exists to remove both: a safe, welcoming, international environment.
“Why not create an English-speaking environment through the power of an international Christian community?”
Full story
Day 05 · Baptism
Community
Who is behind the camp
65 participants in the first season, 11 countries on the volunteer team, 30% of guests are outside the Adventist church. A community built on sincerity.
Guests
/02
65+
Ukrainians ages 16 — 45 from all over the country.
Outside the church
/03
30%
Nonbelievers, agnostics, seekers. They come because there is no pressure here.
Community
/04
100+
Friends of the community. They share adventures across borders — year after year.
Album · season 01
Moments that stayed with us
Not a catalog, not a carousel. Eight moments from the season — morning circles, evening meetings, the pond at sunrise, a swing in the middle of the forest.
Evening · every day
Pond · day 05
Forest · quiet place
Mukachevo · excursion
11 flags · team
Campfire · every evening
Golden hour · day 04
Team · season 25
Financial report · 2025
Where the money went
Transparency is our foundation. Seven categories, a full breakdown of 28 receipts — in the open report.
₴560,985Total spent · season 25
~10 851 €In euros
~217 €Per participant · 65 people
Where exactly does it go: rent of “Sunny Carpathians” for 7 days — 280K ₴, meals + groceries — 90K ₴, speaker tickets — 67K ₴, three cooks — 49.6K ₴, advertising + transfers — 36.6K ₴, the rest — refunding participants’ camp fees due to the escalation of the war and office supplies.
Full report
FAQ
Common questions
If your question is not here, write to vera@matteson.no, we reply within 24 hours.
Message the coordinator/01Who is this camp for?
Feel Free Camp is open to participants aged 16 — about 40–45. The format is intentionally inclusive: people of different generations and backgrounds meet and learn together.
/02Is this only for Christians?
No. The camp is open to people of any beliefs. Last year, about 30% of participants were not part of the Adventist church — including nonbelievers and agnostics.
/03Who are the volunteers?
The volunteers are international participants from different countries who come to serve. They do not receive a salary and pay for their own travel. The project provides accommodation and meals.
/04Why is donor support needed?
The costs of organizing — especially renting a safe venue in western Ukraine — are higher than participant contributions. In addition: meals, logistics, hosting volunteers.
/05Why doesn’t the local church fully fund the project?
The local church supports the initiative, but because of the war:
- many church members have moved abroad
- financial resources have decreased significantly
- some congregations can barely cover basic needs
/06What impact does the camp have?
Participants gain practical English skills, confidence in communication, new friendships and international connections, emotional support — and the opportunity to get to know Jesus.
Season 02 · 2026 · goal 13 800 €
One spot.
One spot.
One participant.
One full spot for one participant — about 216 €. Any amount, through any channel — brings the 2026 season closer.
216 €One full spot
13 800 €Goal · season 26