Cambodian Heritage Camp
|
| July 15th - 18th, 2010 at Snow Mountain
Ranch, Fraser, CO (optional day on 14th) |
| 2010 Co-Directors: Tracy McBrayer and
Fred Dulin
|
|
What we value most about Cambodian Heritage Camp? (Parent comments from 2009) “Being with all the other families and sharing the experience along with them...the sense of community and belonging and seeing our son smile more in one weekend that he does in an entire year!” "Connecting with families like ours, and watching my daughter with role models like the counselors, seeing her make these wonderful connections with people who share her heritage.” ” My daughter
feels part of a community -- it is a miracle what happens to the
kids at camp.
I cannot thank
you enough for the gifts
she receives there. It is a blessing to be able to go and watch her
blossom there. Thank you thank you thank you.” |
Even
among the unique group of culture camps that comprises the Colorado Heritage
Camps family, Cambodian Heritage Camp stands out. Now in its ninth year, it
is the only culture camp in the U.S. that is specifically geared toward Cambodian-born
adoptees and their families. Despite the relatively small number (approximately
1800) of Cambodian children adopted by Americans in the past 15 years, Cambodian
Heritage camp normally fills up quickly with over 100 families who travel from
throughout the U.S. to attend this very special event. We have a huge “extended
family” of Cambodian-Americans from the Denver area who give their unwavering
support to our camp every year, and an astounding network of Cambodian-American
volunteers who regularly come from California and the east coast to participate
as camp counselors, workshop leaders, and program speakers.
What else makes
Cambodian Heritage Camp so unique? Our camp families are so enthusiastic
about the opportunities available to them — the comfortable fellowship with
other families who share the common bond of adoption; the ability to learn
about a country and a culture that families have adopted into their hearts
-- much to the same degree that they adopted their children; and the excitement
and pride in Cambodia that the children radiate during camp activities — that
the families successfully lobbied for an extra day of camp! We now offer this
fourth, optional recreation day, where families can relax, spend additional
time with other Camp families and enjoy the facilities & fun offered at
Snow Mountain Ranch.
Colorado
Heritage Camps is a non-profit organization. One of its basis precepts—one
which has made the camps more affordable to all families and has made families
so committed to their Camp’s success—has been the level of volunteerism
that is inherent in the planning and running of the heritage camps . CHC depends
on parents and other volunteers to run the individual camps. Fortunately, Cambodian
Heritage Camp has a strong, talented group of willing participants. They have
regularly given their time, efforts, creativity and funds to ensure that our
campers have an amazing experience each year and leave camp with a heightened
sense of shared community and better understanding of their individual Cambodian & American
identity. It is a testament to their success that many of the children leave
camp with an overriding desire to return with their families the following
year, to recapture the magic that is Cambodian Heritage Camp!
This year's camp will be again be held in the beautiful Colorado Rockies at the YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch facility near Winter Park, CO www.ymcarockies.org - a family vacation destination in itself. We look forward to meeting new friends and old in July 2009 and encourage you to register early. NOW is the time to request registration information, if you'd like to be on our mailing list.
What's Happening in 2010?
Do you find going to an Asian market a daunting experience?
So many unfamiliar tropical fruits, vegetables and spices to choose from, and
rows of packaged items that are unidentifiable because they are branded in
their native languages! Have you ever felt overwhelmed ordering from a menu
at an authentic Asian restaurant? Though the dishes they prepare might be described
in detail, the ingredients are different and unknown to many Americans.
At
this year’s Cambodian Heritage Camp, the theme is A Cambodian Feast,
and one of our main objectives is to educate participants about the various
foods in the Khmer diet—where they originate, how they are grown and
prepared , when they are served and how they are eaten. We will offer a variety
of cooking classes for all ages with lots of hands-on participation in preparing
the dishes! We will simulate an Asian market and explain how to choose fresh
produce, discern between various brands, and sample the most popular spices
used in Cambodian cooking. We will uncover the most important cooking implements
found in a Khmer kitchen, and the role each family member plays in preparing
meals. Food is central to many aspects of Cambodian culture: many Cambodians
are farmers and fishermen and earn their livelihood through the food they raise
or catch; the population celebrates agricultural events such as the harvest,
while virtually all festivals feature traditional Khmer dishes and delicacies;
a spirit of community is enhanced by daily trips to the village market to purchase
foodstuffs and catch up on the latest news; meanwhile, good karma is earned
through the daily food offerings to the monks in the temple.
Our fun-filled and active pre-school and elementary programs are sure to incorporate
some favorite activities of recent years with new experiences. Ideas under
development include: exploring foods and cooking in everyday life, foods in
our festivals, the market, language, dance & kickboxing.
Middle and High School campers will have a great opportunity to renew old
friendships and develop new ones through a busy weekend. Opportunities will
run the full
range, from outdoor activities to traditional Khmer games and art projects.
An awareness-building and fund-raising program focused on supporting others
in Cambodia, “MORE THAN ME,” will again be offered. This year will
also introduce a new program, “THIS IS ME,” which will strengthen
youths’ cultural education as they become young adults.
Adult workshops will feature sessions on culture, family and adoption-related
issues. These will likely include roundtable discussions, cooking classes,
Khmer culture & history exploration, and adoptive parenting sessions.
In addition to our rich programming for all age groups during the day, our
nights will be full of family activities, including the getting acquainted
(and re-acquainted) Thursday night barbeque, Friday night festival, and Saturday
celebration!
Don't forget about Optional R&R Day!
Back by popular demand, Optional R&R Day activities will be offered again
this year. Arrive at Snow Mountain Ranch and begin to unwind on Wednesday,
July 14. Then, Thursday, July 15, is available for many fun recreational activities – in
addition to more relaxation and a great picnic lunch. This day gives campers
a chance to meet with old friends and make new ones while enjoying many of
the offerings at Snow Mountain Ranch. Families can participate (for a fee)
in horseback riding, fishing, canoeing, archery, the climbing wall and the
zip line, in addition to the many free activities available, such as roller
skating, swimming, miniature golf, and more. Click
here to read more about optional day.
Space is limited, so please sign up early.
Thinking
about giving camp a try but want to know more?
Click here to read our Frequently Asked Questions and
"Four Days in the Life of Heritage Camp"
For more pictures of Cambodian Heritage Camp 2009 click here
We are thrilled that many of our friends from Cambodian-American communities all over the United States will be returning as counselors and instructors of workshops and classes. We deeply appreciate their commitment to teaching and passing on Cambodian culture to the next generation. If you are interested in volunteering, please do so by clicking on volunteers to complete volunteer information, or if you'd like to be a counselor, please complete the application on this web site counselors.
As a non-profit 501 C(3) organization, Cambodian Heritage Camp is always seeking financial assistance to help keep camp costs reasonable for families, and still provide an outstanding program. If you'd like to help, please go to the Donations section of this web site, and thank you very much in advance.
We are also in need of donations of frequent flier miles to help defray costs of out of state speakers. If you have miles you can donate please email us at cambodiacamp@vincejulie.com
We hope to see you at camp this summer. For further information, please contact us.
