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Indian/Nepalese Heritage
Camp |
July 10th-July 13th,
2008 at Snow Mountain Ranch Fraser, CO |
| 2008 Co-Directors: Sara Jo Martin, Jami Powell, Dan Sweetser |
| “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
more than a decade, 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. Notice our official name change! We have more
and more campers who have been adopted from Nepal attending camp each year,
and we thought it was about time to be inclusive in our name as well as in
our camp programming and activities, so INHC it is!
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, family friends, etc. participate in classes and workshops taught by adoption professionals, parents, and cultural community members.
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 community, 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 10-13, 2008 in the beautiful Rocky Mountains
near Winter Park, Colorado at the YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch
facility www.ymcarockies.org -
a family vacation destination in itself.
Registration packets will be going out this Winter, so NOW is the time
to request registration
information and be placed on our mailing
list.
What's happening in 2008?
The
theme for INHC 2008 is “Games Galore!” We will be exploring all
the unique and amazing parts of South Asia through the fun and games of the
culture. 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 with hands-on cultural activities for all ages, folk dances,
and participating in games that come from the rich and diverse South Asian
culture. There is plenty of time for the children to get to know each other
and develop friendships with kids who are ”just like them.”
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!
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 food 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, etc.
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 volunteers;
or if you'd
like to be a counselor (must be 18 years or older), please complete
the counselors application on this web site.
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.
Thinking about giving camp a try but want to know more?
Click here to read about last year's camp.
For more pictures of East Indian Camp 2007 click here
Though we are very fortunate to have many participants from the Indian community, more are always welcome. If you are interested in volunteering, please do so volunteers, 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, East Indian 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.
