Summer Culture Camps and Adoption Camps for Kids & Families

Listed below are camp experiences which are specifically geared to adopted children. The list is organized by state and annotated with cultures covered, age ranges of children who can attend, or whether the camping experience is designated for parents and children. This list is provided as a public service and is not intended to recommend specific camping programs.

COLORADO

The Adoption Exchange

Melody Roe
925 S. Niagara Street
Suite 100
Denver, CO 80224
(303) 333-0845
(800) 451-5246
Free Outward Bound wilderness experience for 1 parent and 1 teenager (Colorado adoptive families only)--offered every 2 years

Colorado Heritage Camps

Pam Sweetser
2052 Elm Street
Denver, CO 80207
(303) 320-4234 (voice)
(303) 388-2909 (fax)
Email:
Website: HeritageCamps.org
Four-day summer family camps in scenic Colorado for children adopted internationally & domestically. Camps beginning in June & running through Labor Day celebrating families formed through adoption from the following countries:

• Korea
• India/Nepal
  
• China
• Vietnam
• Cambodia
• Africa/Caribbean
• Latin America
• Russia/Eastern Europe/Central Asia
• The Philippines

IOWA

KAMP (Korean Adoption Means Pride) and International Retreat

Jill Branstad
IIA KAMP/Retreat Co-Director
Email:
Web site

An annual KAMP and retreat that takes place each year in Cedar Falls, IA, for both children ages 5-18 and their families to attend. Offers individual activities for both parents and the children as well as family activities through the event. The KAMP runs from a Wednesday through Friday and then the Retreat overlaps from Friday through Sunday. Most families attend both events.

ILLINOIS

Hands Around the World

Gail Walton
1417 East Miner Street
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 255-8309
Email:
Complete family curriculum for seven different cultures for children 5-14

Camp Pride Korea

Lisa Puccinelli
(847) 367-7862
Patti Palumbo
(630) 495-4403
Day camp with classes for children 4 years through 12th grade

Sunny Ridge Family Center

Pam Shepard, MSW, LCSW
(630) 754-4522
270 Remington Blvd,
Suite C Bolingbrook, IL 60440
Email:
Web site
Tuesdays, June 21, August 9, 2011, 6:30pm to 8:00pm Adoption Summer Camp is an eight-week camp designed for adopted children, (domestic or international) ages 10 to 13. Adoption Summer Camp provides adopted
children with a fun and creative way to spend their summer nights, while meeting other adopted children and discussing adoption related topics. Adoption Summer Camp will focus on common adoption issues, such as identity, loss, feelings, adoption stories, and birth parents while providing a safe, confidential, and fun environment for participants.

KENTUCKY

Our Korean Kids International Adoptee's Camp

Julie Wagner
(502)244-8067
Week-long residential camp for children 6-14

Maine

Maine China Culture Camp

Peter or Meg Kassen
(800) 922-6737
(207) 342-5685 (fax)
Email:
Families with Chinese children

Maryland

Camp Mabuhay

Carol Dispoto
(973)398-1020
Weekend residential camps for children adopted from the Philippines

Michigan

Sae Jong Camp*

P.O. Box 250632
Franklin, Michigan 48025
(718) 937-1124
(Leave message for Jeanah Hong, Director)
Email:
Web site
2 one-week residential sessions held each August for Korean children (one session for adoptees 7-17 and one session for 2nd and 3rd-generation and adopted Korean-Americans, 7-17)

Korean Culture Camp

Korean Student Organization
Michigan State University
Web site

Heritage Camp

Grand Rapids, Michigan

sponsored by Families For International Children (FFIC)
for adopted children ages preschool through 9th grade. Sessions include Chinese, Korean, Latin American, Eastern European, and African American. Designed to help adopted children experience the culture of their birth country. See the Camp website for a registration form
Web site

Minnesota

Camp Hwarang Teen

Camp Yoon Ju Park
(612) 644-3251
Web site

Camp Moon-Hwa

Southern Minnesota Cultural Education Society
Deb Resman
815 9th Street, SW
Rochester, MN 55902
(507)281-5838
Web site
Day camp for Korean adoptees or their siblings ages 5 and older are welcome.

Celebrate Romania Family Retreat

Durwin Hermanson
136 Sandpiper Drive
Mankato, MN 56001
507-387-4238 (H)
507-382-1686 (Cell)
Email:
Web site
A comprehensive weekend retreat for families who have adopted children from Romania. We come together to:

• Foster self esteem
• Foster positive relationships between children, adults and families
• Provide an opportunity to discuss adoption issues
• Build positive feelings about each family's international heritage
• Establish an appreciation of Romanian culture

Kamp Kimchee

Paul Anderson
7081 Schley Road S.E.
Brainerd, MN 56401
Email:
Web site
Korean culture day camp for children 4 yrs through 12th grade and their siblings.

Korean Culture Camp

Karen Kowalke
(612) 470-5496
Evening and daytime sessions available for children--kindergarten through 6th grade. Korean culture day camp for children 4 yrs through 12th grade and their siblings.

La Semana Culture Camp

Kerry Noyes
3925 Hillcrest Way
Deep Haven, MN 55391

Nebraska

Holt Heritage Camp - Midwest*

Todd Kwapisz
Holt International Children's Services
P. O. Box 2880
Eugene, OR 97402
(541)687-2202
Email:
Web site

New Jersey

Holt Heritage Camp - New Jersey

Todd Kwapisz
Holt International Children's Services
P. O. Box 2880
Eugene, OR 97402
(541) 687-2202
Email:
Web site

New York

Camp Chin-gu

Church of the Transfiguration (note: this is a new location)
50 W. Bloomfield Rd.
Pittsford, NY 14534
Contact: Jackie Salsbury
(585) 323-2709
Web site
Rochester (NY) area Korean culture camp, from 7/31/06 - 8/4/06

Camp Mu Ji Gae

c/o Parsons Child and Family Center
60 Academy Road
Albany, NY 12208
Email:
Web site
Three-day culture camp for Korean children kindergarten age into teenage years and their families

Ohio

Korean Culture Camp - N.E. Ohio

Paul & Brenda Hartman
Phone: 440-729-2949
Email:

Five-day, four night camp open to children ages 7 (who have completed first grade) through 17 years. Its purpose is to develop a positive self-image among Korean-American children. Through participation in games, crafts, and music, and exposure to the foods, language, and history of Korea, campers will develop a greater understanding and appreciation of their cultural heritage. Plenty of regular camp activities such as hiking, sports, and a Saturday night campfire. An adult staff of at least 14 is planned: approximately 9 Korean-American counselors and 5 Adoptive Families Support Association parents. All campers sleep in dormitories with adult supervision, and all meals are provided.

Mi Pueblo Culture Camp

Bill Gruber
(216) 371-3570
Email:

Latin American culture camp sponsored by Concern for Children

Oklahoma

Discovery Weekend Teen Camp (ALL international adoptees, ages 12-18)

Melanie Chung-Sherman, MSW
Dillon International, Inc.
3227 East 31st Street, Suite 200
Tulsa, OK 74105
(918) 749-4600
Email:
Web site

Korea Heritage Camp (ages 4-12)

Karin Price
Dillon International, Inc.
3227 East 31st Street, Suite 200
Tulsa, OK 74105
(918) 749-4600
Email:
Web site

China Heritage Camp (ages 4-12)

Karin Price
Dillon International, Inc.
3227 East 31st Street, Suite 200
Tulsa, OK 74105
(918) 749-4600
Email:
Web site

India Heritage Camp (ages 4-12)

Karin Price
Dillon International, Inc.
3227 East 31st Street, Suite 200
Tulsa, OK 74105
(918) 749-4600
Email:
Web site

Eastern Europe Heritage Camp (ages 4-12)

Karin Price
Dillon International, Inc.
3227 East 31st Street, Suite 200
Tulsa, OK 74105
(918) 749-4600
Email:
Web site

Guatemala Heritage Camp (ages 4-12)

Karin Price
Dillon International, Inc.
3227 East 31st Street, Suite 200
Tulsa, OK 74105
(918) 749-4600
Email:
Web site

Vietnam Heritage Camp (ages 4-12)

Karin Price
Dillon International, Inc.
3227 East 31st Street, Suite 200
Tulsa, OK 74105
(918) 749-4600
Email:
Web site

Oregon

Holt Heritage Camp - Oregon

Todd Kwapisz
Holt International Children's Services
P. O. Box 2880
Eugene, OR 97402
(541)687-2202
Email:
Web site

Pennsylvania

Spice Rack Reunion (reunion site varies)

Supportive Parents and Indian Children Everywhere (SPICE)
Christine Futia
1 Marjaleen Drive
Randaloph, NJ 07869
Email:
Web site
Family heritage camp for families whose children were born in India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh

South Carolina

Camp Kaleidoscope

Sarah Paulin
Email:
or Worldwide Adoption Services
(864) 388-2171
(864) 583-6981

Vermont

Camp for Me

Week-long day camp for adopted children
7+ sponsored by Vermont Children's Aid Society
(802)457-3084

Wisconsin

Camp Choson

A week long summer Korean American culture camp.
2365 Kings Drive.
Woodbury, Minnesota, 55125
Web site

Credits: Child Welfare Information Gateway (http://www.childwelfare.gov)