CHC Logo
The Camps
Counselors
Registration
Mailing List
Alumni
morethanme
Volunteer
Donations
Resources
Contacts
Home
Colorado Heritage Camps for Adoptive Families

Cambodian Heritage Camp
July 17-20, 2008 at Snow Mountain Ranch, Fraser, CO
2008 Co-Directors: Lori Hofferbert and Tracy McBrayer
“My child and I both make tremendous friends at camp. She shares a bond with other adopted Cambodian kids that is unlike anything else.” – Cambodian Heritage Camp Parent, 2007

 

Having completed a highly successful sixth year, the Cambodian Heritage Camp (CamHC) is reaping benefits generated by its firm foundation of committed families, the active participation of U.S.-based Cambodian communities, and the creative energy brought by all camp participants. CamHC provides a rich and meaningful experience for all family members through the exploration and celebration of adoption-related issues, the establishment of friendships among individuals and networks of families, and the instruction of Cambodian culture and history. We are continuing our growth in 2008 and hope that you can join us!

Cambodian Heritage Camp is a family camp where campers from age 3 to 18, plus their parents participate in classes, workshops and family-oriented special events presented by Cambodian Americans, adult adoptees, professionals in the field of adoption, and the campers themselves, all of whom enthusiastically share their perspectives and expertise with adoptive families. More than 40 Cambodian American young adults serve as counselors, acting as warm and caring role models and mentors to the children as they participate with them in cultural classes. Adult family members attend cultural and adoption-related workshops ranging from Cambodian cooking to the blessings and challenges inherent in our adoptive families. Founded and run by adoptive parent volunteers, CamHC is one of ten camps facilitated by the highly respected Colorado Heritage Camps organization, which has been running heritage camps for adoptive families for 15 years.

This year's camp will be our third 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 2008 and encourage you to register early. Registration forms and information for Cambodian Heritage Camp 2008 will be mailed early in 2008. NOW is the time to request registration information, if you'd like to be on our mailing list.

What's Happening in 2008?

The theme for 2008 Cambodian Heritage Camp is “Building our Future”. We will join together in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado as we explore “building” in the internal & external sense. We will learn about traditional Cambodian buildings, from Angkor Wat, temples & palaces to village homes and schools. In addition to the actual buildings, we will learn about their significance in Cambodian culture. We will also explore “building” self-esteem, cultural respect & confidence in our children, as well as how we as parents can promote this and how the children can help themselves. Lastly, we will explore ways to build connections for advocacy and action. This will cover assistance agencies that help build Cambodia’s future and adoptive family networks to support and keep in touch with each other.

Parent workshop sessions will include cultural and adoption topics and will provide time for discussion and support as we “Build our Future” together as a community. We will have interactive cultural workshops specifically “built” for each age group of kids, including our ever growing adolescent group. The preschool and elementary kids will also have one HeART Talks session, which focuses on adoption related issues in an age appropriate manner. Our adolescents will again participate in the More than Me program, which is a way for them to give back to Cambodia.

We are returning for our third year to Snow Mountain Ranch. The optional Family Day activities will be offered again this year. The optional day will give families a chance to meet with old friends and make new ones, while engaging in various activities offered at Snow Mountain Ranch. Families will have an opportunity to participate in horseback riding, roller skating and swimming, or just come together informally.

Most of our Cambodian American friends from across the United States will be returning to camp this year. They play an integral part in camp, serving as positive role models, counselors and workshop/class facilitators. In addition, they travel at their own expense to camp, often taking time off from work to participate. We continue to be very thankful of their contributions to making camp successful and to sharing Cambodian culture with our families.

The Cambodian Market offers families a chance to purchase beautiful Cambodian items. This is also the main fundraiser for Cambodian Heritage Camp. You will find beautiful Cambodian jewelry, clothing, music, books, baskets, silk, silver and traditional crafts, as well as adoption related items.

Thinking about giving camp a try but want to know more?

Click here to read about last year's camp.

For more pictures of Cambodia Camp 2007 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.

To volunteer or to learn more about volunteer opportunities contact:

Lori Hofferbert, co-director at: loricamcamp@comcast.net

Tracy McBrayer, co-director at: tfmcbrayer@bellsouth.net 

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

For more pictures of Cambodian Camp 2007 click here

We hope to see you at camp this summer. For further information, please contact us.