2012 Co-Directors: Sarah Jo Martin, Susan Mitchell, Geeta Sharma
"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!"
"Most valuable is the chance for our kids heritage and adoption to be validated by the camp experience. Equally valuable is the community building opportunity among families who share so much. Heritage Camp is one of our family's most enjoyable rituals. It is something we all look forward to every year."
"The connection with others who share our family story. When i ask my daughter this question she answers by saying that she loves to meet and be with others who come from the same place she does. For me, I love to see my daughter full of pride for who she is completely... adopted and Nepali."
For 19 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.
Committed to exploring both the cultural and the adoption aspects of growth as an adoptive family, it was one of the first camps developed by Heritage Camps for Adoptive Families under the name "East Indian Heritage Camp." In 2007, we realized that more and more families with adopted children born in Nepal were coming to this camp, so we decided ot make it official with a name change to Indian Nepalese heritage camp and a conscious effort to incorporate the Nepalese culture into our thriving camp. We now have a huge "extended family" of Indian and Nepalese-Americans from the Denver area who give their unwavering support to our camp every year, and an astounding network of Indian and Nepalese-American volunteers who regularly come from to participate as camp counselors, workshop leaders, and program speakers. From our Chai stall to our India/Nepal village to our Bangra dancing to our Holi festival to our Rangoli, we are truly immersed in the cultures of India and Nepal for four days.
In 2011, we also added a day to camp – FINALLY! There were family activities available to share together on Thursday afternoon, then a family bbq, then Opening Ceremony on Thursday night. Friday we hit the ground running with workshops and activities in the morning. This extra day of activities gave families who chose to come early on Thursday even more time to spend together, and they had a great time! We'll be doing it again in 2012 for sure!
The 2011 camp theme was "Our Home in India and Nepal," which gave children of all ages, and their parents the opportunity to really explore how people live in these amazing countries, what they eat, what they do in their daily life, what their homes and buildings are like, and more. We really did this theme up BIG by actually constructing three life sized "homes" right on the grounds of Snow Mountain Ranch! We will soon have a progression of pictures on this website to share how it was done, and it was a sight to behold! EVERY camper, from preschool through high school had a hand (literally) in building these homes, and learning about India and Nepalese customs and traditions. From prayer flags to torans to rangoli, these homes were built and decorated with authenticity, although we did substiture cow dung for plaster of paris to make the walls! Camp culminated in a Community Mela where kids, parents, and our wonderful Indian and Nepalese community volunteers who made this all possible, gathered to celebrate our accomplishment! It will be tough to top this year's theme, but we have every intention of trying to!
We also spend time at every camp exploring the unique gifts and challenges that come with our mostly transracial adoptive families. We realize that as your children grow, they will be dealing with issues faced by any child of color, no matter their country of birth. At our camp, they are with a sea of families who are like theirs, and with children who are in the majority for a few days. Though we celebrate and strive to highlight the different birth countries of our campers, the similarities of being adopted children of color in mostly transracial families is what really bonds the children, and their families so immediately at our camp
The camp theme will be decided soon, so watch this site for updates, as well as for information on guest presenters, workshops, and activities as they are confirmed.
We hope to see you at camp in July. For further information, please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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