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OUR CAMP is a project of Maria's Children, a Moscow-based arts rehabilitation center for Russian orphans. These children are an underclass of individuals who have traditionally been the property of the state. Undereducated, abused and neglected in every way, the orphans' fate, should they survive the orphanage, is a life of menial labor, or drugs and crime. Maria's Children offers an atmosphere outside of the orphanage in which children can recognize their creative potential, developing talents and self-esteem that will serve them in later life. By inviting these children into our homes, teaching them life skills, and exposing them to safe, loving family environments, we have, in fact, improved their chances of successful integration into society. We've been helping children paint their dreams and promoting foster care since 1993; Maria's Children is well known in Moscow and abroad, and has been a model for other non-profits working with Russian orphans. Our arts camp was created to give these children a chance to escape their grim environments for two weeks, blossom in a supportive and creative environment, and experience the joy of community service.