Chinese Heritage Camp Too

Chinese Heritage Camp II is one of few camps of its kind in the country, specifically designed for families with adopted children from China. Committed to exploring both the cultural and the adoption aspects of growth as an adoptive family, it is one of ten camps facilitated by the highly respected Colorado Heritages Camps, Inc. Chinese Heritage Camp Too is held at Augustana Lutheran Church in Denver, Colorado, Augustana is centrally located in Denver with easy access to and from Denver International Airport and the major interstates that serve the Denver area.

Chinese Heritage Camp II is a family camp with programming for every member of the family. Children participate in age appropriate cultural activities taught by Chinese Americans who enthusiastically share their expertise with adoptive families. Asian American counselors serve as role models and mentors to the children as they participate long with them. Adult family members attend cultural and adoption related workshops ranging from Chinese cooking and customs to the blessings and challenges inherent in our adoptive families.

As an urban camp, CHIC II allows families to explore and enjoy the many sights of the Denver/Boulder area. More information about what to see and do in the Denver/Boulder area can be found at www.Denver.org.

While the majority of the camp activities will take place at Augustana Lutheran Church, we are planning an off-site camp social this year. We will also be reserving a block of hotel rooms at a great rate, so look for that information in your confirmation after you register for camp. We are finding that more and more local families are choosing to stay at the hotel in order to spend more “after camp” hours times socializing with old and new friends.

Please note: This camp has a registration limit of 85 families, so it is very important to register early. We have consistently had a waiting list!

This year’s camp theme is Folktales From China. Chinese Folktales provide insight into Chinese history and the magnificent culture of the country. Many of the folktales that we learned as children and continue to teach our own children actually originated in China. This theme will be carried throughout the children and adult activities in camp.

As always, our camp activities for children will center around arts and culture, and include Chinese cultural exploration of visual, performance and culinary arts. We are fortunate to have wonderful volunteers from the Chinese community to provide insight into tradition, storytelling, crafts, games, songs and dances for our children.

Our Chinese Heritage Camp II High School and Middle school programs have that unique blend of culture and friendship building. We will continue doing the same this year with programming designed specifically for those age groups, including our More Than Me program, field trips in the Denver area, and many ways to bond and build lasting friendships.

The younger kids, from age 3 through 5th grade, will share the adventure of the Chinese Village, and learn new Chinese games, songs, dances, customs, tradition, and have one workshop that focuses on adoption related issues in an age appropriate way.

Adult workshops will explore Chinese culture and adoption blessings and challenges. We are excited that many of our popular adult workshop presenters will be returning to camp again this year to share their knowledge and experience of Chinese culture and also of raising adopted children.

To our Chinese and other Asian American friends: We so appreciate all of the work you do to help make this camp special for our families. If you are interested in facilitating a workshop or if you would like to volunteer as a counselor, please contact us as soon as possible. We would love to include your thoughts, ideas and experience into our camp. You can reach us at:

Barbara Goldman: bsgoldman@comcast.net
Patti Gustafson: pdgustafson@msn.com

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 Chinese Heritage Camp Too 2009 click here

Though we have very strong support from the local Chinese community, we are always looking for more volunteers to work with the kids, teach workshops, cook meals, etc., and to be counselors at camp.

As a non-profit 501 C(3) organization, Chinese 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 info@heritagecamps.org

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