An exciting initiative bringing together youths from Germany, the USA, France, and Ukraine to foster international understanding and peace.
The anticipation is practically palpable on the Bötschenberg. At the Helmstedt Sports Club (Helmstedter SV) barbecue hut, the Helmstedt Town Twinning Association (HPV) has outlined the upcoming international youth soccer camp starting next week—an initiative driven by numerous local volunteers.
Overview of the Camp
From July 24 to 31, the HPV is hosting the international youth gathering titled “Game On.” The event features 65 young people aged 15 to 17 from a diverse group of cities:
- Helmstedt’s Twin Cities: Albuquerque (USA) and Vitré (France)
- Ukrainian Locations: Kherson, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia
The Ukrainian state-led platform Children of War is playing a key role, highlighting the primary focus of the camp in Germany.
“Rooted in the spirit of reconciliation following the devastating World Worlds, we feel deeply committed today to fostering European and international ideals—peace, grassroots understanding between nations, and democracy—by organizing diverse person-to-person encounters, especially for young people.”
— Dr. Joachim Scherrieble, HPV Chairman
How the Initiative Began
The inspiration for hosting this 2026 youth gathering in Helmstedt actually originated across the Atlantic. Pam Feather, chair of the Albuquerque Sister Cities committee, wanted to bring together soccer-loving youths from her city with peers from Kharkiv—which has been Albuquerque’s official sister city since 2023.
Because the current geopolitical situation made a direct meeting between the USA and Ukraine unfeasible, she suggested holding the international event in Helmstedt instead.
Budget, Sponsors, and Volunteer Support
The City of Albuquerque is providing crucial financial assistance to the HPV, alongside several key corporate sponsors, local clubs, and foundational backers:
- Facilities & Hospitality: Helmstedter SV (sports facilities) and restaurateur Markus Suchandt (club hospitality area).
- Local Authorities: The City and District of Helmstedt.
- Corporate & Community Sponsors: Sport-Thieme, Avacon, the Lions Club Helmstedt, and the Bürgerstiftung Ostfalen (Ostfalen Community Foundation).
- Equipment Logistics: The District Youth Fire Brigade, highly experienced in large-scale operations, is providing essential camp equipment ranging from tents to tableware.
The extensive planning team from the Helmstedt Partnership Association includes Dr. Joachim Scherrieble, Susanne Otto, Carsten Flohr, Monika Bartels-Röker, Harald Spitzer, Youth Liaison Daniela Meyer, and Secretary Ferhat-Atilgan Kara. They are supplemented by a massive team of local volunteers helping with setup, airport pickups, meal preparation, and program execution.
Camp Schedule and Activities
The international participants are scheduled to arrive in Germany on Friday, July 24. Upon arrival at the Bötschenberg grounds, the youth groups will share a barbecue and play icebreaker games to forge new friendships.
Local youth players from Helmstedt will join the visiting athletes throughout the week. Together, the participants will:
- Train at the new campus at the Julianum and utilize other regional sports facilities.
- Explore the historic city and visit the local outdoor pool.
- Visit historical cultural sites, including the Marienborn Memorial.
Tournament Notice: The official soccer tournaments will take place on Sunday morning, July 26, starting at 10:30 a.m. on the HSV pitch. The ceremonial opening kick-off will be performed by Member of the European Parliament Lena Dupont and Helmstedt District Administrator Gerhard Radeck.