Three Northern Stars: Camp Choson 2012

This year we became part of the Camp Choson family. First, I will tell you about camp in general, and then talk about our particular experience with camp. Camp Choson is a Korean culture camp in Scandia, Minnesota (about 30 minutes from our home). Camp Choson has been in existence for 19 years and is completely run by volunteers. It is always held the week of 4th of July. Children entering kindergarten through grade 6 can attend the day camp program. Seventh through 11th graders attend as resident (overnight) campers. Camp is held at a Girl Scout campground and therefore has the true "summer camp" experience included. Families come from all over the United States to attend camp. I think that says a lot about the quality of this particular Korean culture camp. Teachers are brought in from South Korea each year. This year the drumming instructor and 4 representatives from InKAS helped the campers learn about Korean culture. Each day begins with Cho-Whey (a family gathering) where the Korean national anthem is sung, cultural demonstrations are performed, and announcements are made. Everyday a delicious Korean meal is served for lunch, complete with kimchi. A Korean market is on site where campers can purchase cultural items from Korea and enjoy yummy Korean snacks. Workshops and speakers are held twice a day for parents. There is a daycare on site for younger siblings of campers and children of volunteers. Campers have sessions on language and culture (this year their focus was Korean holidays), drumming, dance, tae kwon do, art, music and singing, nature, self esteem, archery, and swimming (in one of Minnesota's 10,000 lakes). Campers are broken up into small groups (6 to 8 campers) based upon their grade level and are assigned 2 counselors. Most of the counselors are seniors in high school or college-age Korean adoptees who attended camp when they were younger. They are wonderful role models for the children. Many of the camp instructors are adult Korean adoptees or Korean Americans. Parents serve as volunteers in camp and help make it a success. The week of camp ends with a presentation by the children of what they have learned including songs, dance, drumming and Tae Kwon Do. It is amazing what they can learn in one short week.

To sum it up for our family this year, camp was an amazing experience. Kyle participate in the kindergarten group while Cameron was in the 3rd grade group. While campers are mostly Korean adoptees, children of Korean adoptees or Korean American children, there are also siblings of adoptees that attend. It's a great mix of kids. Both boys made some good friends at camp and really loved going. They are already looking forward to next year. Mike and I split a volunteer position (so one of us could stay home with Lauren) and were assigned to be the parent that tagged along with one of the 1st grade groups. The counselors run the groups but we were there as an extra set of hands in case they needed anything. We both loved this position as it gave us a real feel for what the campers were doing. This was so helpful as first time campers.

It was an extremely HOT week at camp this year. Most days were close to or over 100 degrees with high humidity levels...making it feel like 115. But the heat kept the bugs away, so that is the bright side! The boys loved the swimming as it was a great way to cool off at the end of the day. Each of the boys focused on Tae Kwon Do for the week and were able to demonstrate some newfound skills at the program on Friday. Cameron's group showed off their blocking while Kyle did board breaking with their axe kick. They also loved the songs they learned at camp and can still be heard singing them occasionally. We will definitely be back next year and are looking forward to when Lauren will be attending as a camper. Above all else, we hope that camp will give Lauren some great Korean role models, good friends who understand what she may face in life, experience in Korean culture and a pride in herself and home country.