Adoptive families! I was asked if I could share a list of culture camp locations for kids adopted from Ethiopia (and their families!) and so I began to gather names and web sites. Then out of the blue, a good friend- and founder and president of Roots Ethiopia– shared her (more extensive) list with me.
These camps usually takes place in the summer, and focuses on exposing kids to their heritage culture, while having a lot of fun with other adoptive families. Anna, one mom who recently attended a culture camp, describes her experience:
“Being at the East Coast Ethiopian Culture Camp not only gave my son the opportunity to see other families that were similar to his, he was able to see his own culture, his heritage, reflected in the faces of the children around him, reaffirming his sense of self and identity.”
I have heard parents criticize culture camps and say that we should be teaching culture year round, and one isolated week would only be a drop in the bucket. Well of course we should be! (see here for 14 ideas to incorporate birth culture into our children’s lives). But that doesn’t mean culture camps aren’t fun, and a chance to meet up with friends from around the country!
Ethiopian Culture Camp Locations in the US
East Coast Culture Camps:
E.C.E.C.C. (East Coast Ethiopian Culture Camp)
Ethiopian Heritage and Culture Camp: Harrisonburg VA
Ethiopian Culture Camp (New Hampshire)
Midwest Culture Camps:
Ethiopia Kids Family Culture Camp: Xenia, OH (Southwest Ohio)
Kamp Kurat: Somerset Center, MI
EKC Family Camp: Paynesville, MN
Hands Around the World, Chicago suburbs (I attended this camp several years!)
Western Culture Camps:
PACT Family Camp: Lake Tahoe, CA
African Caribbean Heritage Camp: Colorado (Denver Area)
African Cradle Heritage Camp: Scotts Valley, CA
Ethiopian Culture Camps In Canada:
Amharic Immersion summer camp: Calgary, AB
If you would like to learn more about what goes on at culture camp, check out this lovely post from a family who has gone.
PLEASE tell me in the comments if you know of another camp that isn’t mentioned here! Especially if you can find one near us, in Texas:).
Thanks for posting these! I will be sharing them!
I have a correction for you… the “Ethiopian Heritage Day” in Denver, Colorado is really the “African Caribbean Heritage Camp.” Last year we had one out of three days of programming dedicated to Ethiopian culture, but this year we have folded that programming into the entire camp, since now 50% of the children who come to ACHC are adopted from Ethiopia. Thanks for this list!
Perfect, changing it now!
I love it! Thank you so much!
Thank YOU! 🙂
Great idea to create & share this list! Each summer we plan our vacation around a different camp. Our goals for our daughter & ourselves are threefold: 1st, to reconnect with the culture & make Ethiopian friends; 2nd, to meet & spend time with relatives & other friends in the region; & 3rd, to visit a different part of the country.
Our daughter, now 14, has been here 4 years & we’ve delighted in attending the African Cradle (CA), New Hampshire, & Virginia camps! This summer, we’re crossing our fingers to attend the WI (EAKC) camp followed by a visit to Amish relatives in WI & other relatives in Chicago. See you soon, then! Ciao!!!
I’ve had a chance to speak at three of these camps, and the atmosphere is always warm and generous and fun–one year I managed to get my own Ethiopian-American grandkids to one and would do it every year if I could! Thanks for the list.
I would love to find out if there is one in Texas (possibly Dallas Area). Thanks for this list.
I will let you know if I hear of ANY in Texas! We are outside Houston and would also be very interested:).