Highlights of Last Year's Camp, 2008
Last year's theme, "Passport to the Philippines" was a whole lot of fun! FHC 2008 had something for everyone as it included:
- Music
- Dance
- Martial Arts
- Filipino Gourmet Meals
- Exciting Outdoor Activities
The days were active for everyone! The energetic Filipino-American Counselors committed to connecting with the kids and sharing their heritage, was again one of the highlights of camp.
Preschool and elementary aged kids spent their time with peers and counselors, learning:
- Dance
- Filipino Martial Arts
- Sharing Filipino Stories
- Making Passports
- Building Volcanos
- Going on Exploration Hikes
- Participating in a Sailboat Race
- "HeART Talks" Program focusing on adoption related issues that were geared towards giving them the tools they need as they grow up!
Middle and high school-aged kids had their own activities. This year the high school and middle school groups participated in:
- Filipino Frisbee Golf where they were divided up into groups and tested their skills on the Philippines history and heritage.
- A Resilience Panel discussion with a professional Social Worker and adult adoptees to discuss some of the adoption and racial challenges they face at this critical time in their life.
- The “More than Me” Project, creating care packages for children in the Philippines undergoing cleft palette surgery.
- A rafting trip for the High School group
- Archery for the Middle School group
- A challenging low ropes team building exercise for the Middle School Group
- Filipino Martial Arts for the Middle School Group
Parents also enjoyed their own workshops. The workshops included:
- Attachment issues/Love Language
- Racial Sensitivity
- A very moving Adoptee Panel
- The Filipino-American Community of Colorado (FACC) provided the parents insight into the customs of each island
- Taught us the Filipino Malala Dance
- A very hands-on Lumpia cooking session.
After the workshops on Friday afternoon, many of the families with younger children went for a horseback ride.
Friday night included a gourmet Filipino meal prepared by the Filipino-American Community of Colorado at the Cabin. The rain did not deter anyone’s enthusiasm after the meal as the kids managed to start a fire to roast marshmallows, while others found some Tininkling poles and started an impromptu Tininkling show that lasted well into the evening. After a delicious meal, it was truly a great evening of fun and celebration.
On Saturday, everyone came together for a fantastic Filipino lunch at an old Colorado Homestead and National Historic Museum. While eating Pancit and Chicken Adobo, the World Champion of Filipino Martial Arts along with the National Champion of Filipino Martial Arts, demonstrated their lethal capabilities for everyone.
After Saturday’s workshops, the families, counselors and volunteers from FACC came together for a very festive Filipino Party. The party started with Allison Larkin, Author/Actress/Comedian, sharing her adoption stories from “The English American” in the same humorist style that has won her acclaim on Broadway and in many movies. After Allison, the kids and adults participated in many of the games and activities you would find at any Filipino party; line dancing being among the favorites.
During Sunday’s Closing Ceremony, we had a wonderful slide presentation of all our memories of Camp. After the slide show, our pre-school/elementary and middle school groups performed several tribal dances for us. As the parents watched their kids perform, there was not a dry eye in the crowd.
Long after closing ceremonies, families and newfound friends eventually said their good-byes and committed to seeing each other again August 6th of 2009. Until then, the Internet will have to do.
Thinking about giving camp a try but want to know more?
