Unfortunately, each year the number of children spending their holidays at camps and holiday colonies decreases. Official statistics confirm this, but it is easiest to see it "with the naked eye" by observing our courtyards and housing estates during the summer holidays.
It is becoming increasingly difficult for parents to pay for a holiday colony or camp, while subsidies provided "from above" are being ruthlessly cut (for example, last year the Polish Scouting and Guiding Association received PLN 140 million from the Voivodeship Fund for Environmental Protection, whereas this year—despite rising prices—it has received only PLN 100 million).
Fortunately, children most disadvantaged by circumstances receive support from the Municipal Social Welfare Committee or the Society of Friends of Children. The Polish Scouting and Guiding Association, the Municipal Office, the Municipal Commune Office, the Municipal and Commune Sports and Recreation Centres, and the Military Unit also help children by making facilities available, assisting in the organization of camps, and organizing various forms of recreation. Thanks to funds provided by the Voivodeship Fund for Environmental Protection, this year the Society of Friends of Children will be able to help children from low-income families by organizing summer camps and holiday colonies in Brenno near Leszno, Lubawka, and Bolesławiec itself. A total of 330 children will leave for Brenno and Lubawka, while 300 children will be able to take part in 10-day camps organized jointly with the Polish Scouting and Guiding Association, MOSiR, MOPS, the military, and the Municipal Office’s Education Department. The 10-day camps at MOSiR facilities (the swimming pools on Spacerowa Street) are an inexpensive and attractive option for children. Parents will pay only PLN 60,000 per day (the cost of meals). Parents may place a child at the camp for 10 days or less. The children will receive five meals, including three main meals. Children unaccustomed to sleeping in tents may be taken home for the night. It is worth noting that the session planned for 21–30 July will accept children with disabilities, for whom the organizers will provide special care. Appropriate care and a suitable programme are, in any case, guaranteed at every session.
The Szare Szeregi ZHP Command in Bolesławiec is organizing, as part of this year’s summer programme, camps in Cybinka near Krosno Odrzańskie, in Wąchabno near Babimost, a camp in Wyszewo near Koszalin, and four sailing camps in Siemiany near Iława in Masuria. The scouting camp programme will cover nearly 400 children in total.
There is only one wish to make: that the children have good weather, plenty of sunshine, and the best possible experiences, and that the organizers encounter as few unexpected organizational problems as possible.