Colorado Heritage Camps for Adoptive Families

Indian/Nepalese Heritage Camp
July 8th - 11th, 2010 at Snow Mountain Ranch Fraser, CO
2009 Co-Directors:Sarah Jo Martin,Dan Sweetser,Susan Mitchell
“Prior to Heritage camp, my kids thought they were the only adopted kids from India on the planet, and it was seen (by them) as very, very uncool.. Now, they are comfortable with other kids knowing about their histories and will even talk openly about it. The difference in their self-esteem and comfort with themselves is just astonishing, really. They were blown away the first time we came to camp. For the first time in their lives they were with other kids just like them! They were all kids of color!...and adopted!!...and from India!! I can't express my gratitude adequately. India camp has done more for my family than a whole pile of books on adoption/cross-cultural family stuff, etc. ever could!”
Click here to download the Sunil movie

For sixteen years, families from across the country have gained a fuller appreciation of South Asia's vast and beautiful culture at Indian/Nepalese Heritage camp (INHC). Friendships are created, strengthened and renewed each year - friendships that endure across the miles.

 

Indian/Nepalese Heritage Camp is a family camp with programming for each member of the family. Campers from age 3 to 18, plus their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and even family friends participate in classes and workshops taught by cultural community members, adoption professionals, and even some of our talented and industrious parents!.
 

Young adult Indian and Nepali adoptees and community members have the opportunity to attend camp as counselors (must be 18 years or older) and share in the cultural appreciation. These incredible young adults, together with the many, many members of Colorado's Indian and Nepalese communities, help us provide role models and mentors for our children and keep the camp culturally relevant each year.
 
 

Indian/Nepalese Heritage Camp will be held July 8 -11, 2010 in the beautiful Rocky Mountains at the YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch facility www.ymcarockies.org - a family vacation destination in itself.

NOW is the time to request registration information and be placed on our mailing list.

 

What's happening in 2010?


The theme for INHC 2010 is “Passport to the World Heritage Sites of India and Nepal”. We will be exploring unique and amazing parts of India and Nepal through the astounding number of designated World Heritage Sites located there. (Visit www.worldheritagesite.org for a list of these amazing places!) Our Indian and Nepalese community volunteers, who make camp an authentic experience for children and families each year, and our dedicated group of parent volunteers are working together to ensure that each and every aspect of camp will run smoothly.
 

Activities for our younger campers will again include a life like Indian Nepali Village, folk dances and “exploring” the World Wonders that dot these two richly diverse South Asian countries.

Middle Schoolers and High Schoolers will, as always, have age appropriate activities and classes built into their weekend curriculum. But, more importantly, INHC provides the forum and opportunity to share with old friends, new friends and counselor role models and mentors thoughts and feelings on culture and their adoption. The years have proven that Heritage Camp is the perfect environment for these adolescents and teens to relish in the wonder of their diversity and culture and the unique joys and challenges that come from being part of a multi-cultural adoptive family!

Opportunities for alumni parents and graduate campers (those who may not want to be counselors but still want to be part of camp after graduation) will remain in place again this year. There is always plenty of “work” for you to do at camp! Check the website and newsletter for more details on this, or just contact any of the co-directors.

As always, parent workshops on adoption and South Asian culture, cooking, traveling and numerous other areas will be available throughout the weekend.

Don’t forget to save room for the delicious Indian/Nepalese cuisine at our lunch gatherings on Friday and Saturday. And you can shop all weekend long in the fabulous South Asian Market, a place to buy unique items from India and Nepal for your home and family. The Market will feature a large assortment of books, jewelry, clothing, art and many, many more items from India and Nepal.

Though we are very fortunate to have many participants from the Indian community, more are always welcome. And as we grow the Nepalese cultural experiences at camp we a constantly looking for more volunteers from the Nepalese community. If you are interested in volunteering, please do so by clicking on volunteers on the web site and completing the information we need, or if you'd like to be a counselor, please complete the application on this web site counselors.

Opportunities for alumni parents and graduate campers (those who may not want to be counselors but still want to be part of camp after graduation) will remain in place again this year. There is always plenty of "work" for you to do at camp! Check the website by clicking on the Alumni button, for more details on this, or just contact any of the co-directors.

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 Indian/Nepalese Heritage Camp 2009 click here

As a non-profit 501 C(3) organization, Indian Nepalese 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.