Highlights of Last Year's Camp
The theme for FHC 2009 - 10th Year Anniversary, "Celebrating our Filipino
American Heritage" was indescribable. We explored various Filipino/American
celebrations that are popular in the US including:
• Filipino Independence Day
• Birthdays
• Anniversaries/Graduation
• Weddings
FHC 2009 had something for everyone:
• Traditional Filipino Music,
• Modern and Traditional Filipino Dance,
• Filipino cuisine
• Arts and Crafts projects
• Challenging outdoor activities
• The Market with a collection of cultural, historical, children's books,
and other goods from the Philippines.
There was not one dull moment throughout the weekend! The energetic Counselors were committed to connecting with the kids, sharing their experiences and forming bonds, which was the main highlight of camp.
Preschool and elementary aged kids spent their time with peers and counselors,
learning:
• Filipino dance,
• Hats Around the World
• decorating Filipino masks and keep sake vases
• Mini Golf
• going on exploration hikes,
• and “HeART Talks” program focusing on adoption related issues
that were geared towards giving them the tools they need as they grow up!
This year the high school and middle school groups participated in:
• Outdoor educational activities provided by Snow Mountain Ranch,
• 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, supported the Obsenares and Cotiangco
Educational Foundation located in the Southern region of Mindanao, Philippines.
The M.S and H.S groups tie dyed shirts for the students
• High ropes course for the high schoolers and
• A challenging low ropes team building exercise for the Middle School
Group.
Workshops for Parents included:
• The ever popular Filipino cooking classes,
• Workshop on College Funding,
• Exploring how Filipino Americans celebrate many of life's great events
• Attachment issues/Love Language/Racial Sensitivity workshops,
• a very moving Adoptee Panel.
After the workshops on Friday afternoon some families took a mountain hike.
Later on we all met at the fire circle for a marshmallow roast and s’mores
making contest.
Saturday afternoon, everyone came together for a fantastic Filipino lunch
at the old Colorado Homestead and National Historic Museum. The parents
and Filipino
American Community of Colorado (FACC) volunteers prepared delicious fried
lumpia (Filipino spring rolls), pancit and typcial American fare.
After Saturday’s workshops, the families, counselors and volunteers
from FACC came together for an epic gala event to celebrate FHC's 10 Year
Anniversary,
which took place in a beautifully decorated tent outside. The FACC certainly
outdid themselves and prepared a mouthwatering Filipino feast like no other!
From a full Lechon (suckling pig) and its fixings, Embutido (Filipino meatloaf),
Escabeche (fried fish), Chop Suey along with an array of deserts such as
Biko (coconut cake) and Leche Flan.
FACC entertained us with a showcase of Filipino dances while campers provided descriptions of the performances. The evening continued with line dancing and Festival activities such as face painting, learning Filipino card games and more.
Sunday’s Closing Ceremony, was an opportunity to reflect on the memorable weekend with an emotional slide show that covered a decade of FHC. The pre-school/elementary and middle school groups performed several traditional dances that they learned at camp. As the parents watched the slide show and the kids perform, there was not a dry eye in the crowd.
The campers and families said their long farewells promising to see each other
again July 15th - 17th 2010 at our newly anticipated location, Winter Park
Mountain Lodge!
