Jakob Bendsen, a 51-year-old Danish entrepreneur and founder of the consultancy firm Lund & Bendsen, has long been committed to helping vulnerable youth. For over two decades, Jakob has organized summer camps for children from difficult backgrounds through his work with the Danish Red Cross. His experience, especially in running winter sports camps, has now found a new purpose in helping Ukrainian children who have fled the devastating impacts of war.
Jakob’s journey into this mission began after the 2022 Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Having previously organized a series of ski camps for Danish youth, Jakob and his team decided to offer Ukrainian children a chance to escape their harrowing circumstances by introducing them to the healing power of skiing. He reached out to the Danish NGO Bevar Ukraine, an organization focused on preserving Ukrainian culture and aiding those impacted by the war, with the idea of creating “Ski Camps” that would bring Ukrainian and Danish children together to ski in the mountains of Norway.
At first, Bevar Ukraine’s chairman, Roman Boytchuk, was interested although hesitant. He was concerned about the risks of transporting children across borders amid the ongoing war, especially with reports of Russian abductions. However, after discussions with mutual connections and more thorough planning, Bevar Ukraine agreed to collaborate on the initiative. In April 2023, Jakob, along with a dedicated team of volunteers, began organizing the first camp for Ukrainian children.
The first Ski Camp took place in March 2024 in Trysil, Norway, with 12 Ukrainian children and 10 Danish children participating. The camp aimed to provide these children with not only the chance to learn how to ski but also an opportunity to bond with Danish peers. For many of the Ukrainian children, this was their first time skiing, and they were accompanied by 16 volunteers to ensure that each child received proper attention and support.
The camps have been designed to keep a family-sized atmosphere, emphasizing community and shared experiences. Children from ages 8 to 13, selected by Inna, a Ukrainian psychologist working at Bevar Ukraine, participated in the program. As part of the camp, the children also engaged in daily activities, including a song project that combined Ukrainian and Danish lyrics, helping them connect through music while learning each other’s languages and cultures.
Jakob’s commitment to the program goes beyond just organizing the camps. “As a ski instructor myself, I believe that skiing teaches important life skills, including concentration and perseverance,” he explains. He also saw the opportunity “to use the camps to teach both Ukrainian and Danish children about the value of independence and mutual respect,” he adds. The Ukrainian children, who were often more polite and group-oriented than their Danish counterparts, found a welcoming and equal environment in Denmark, helping them grow emotionally and socially.
“The parents of the children have reported that after the camp, their kids became more independent, a quality highly valued in Danish culture. For many of these children, it was not only about skiing, but about adapting to a new culture, forging friendships, and regaining a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos of war”, Jakob explains.
The initiative has been entirely funded through donations and foundation grants. The trip cost around 200,000 DKK, and Jakob and his team worked to raise the necessary funds. “It would have been impossible for the families to afford this without the generous support of foundations, companies, and private donors,” says Jakob. “A company donated 50,000 DKK, which was a huge help.”
