June 24 - 27, 2011
Redwood Glen Camp and Conference Center
Loma Mar, CA

Join us as we gather to celebrate the beautiful and rich culture of Ethiopia and to explore how it feels to grow up as an adopted child. For 13 years, families from across the U.S. and Canada have come together to learn more about Ethiopian traditions, music, dance, art and food. Ethiopian Heritage Camp 2011 will be held from Friday, June 24th, through Monday, June 27th at Redwood Glen in Loma Mar, CA.

Cultural activities for elementary age children will include games, art projects, storytelling and more - all with an emphasis on Ethiopian tradition. Preschool age children will have their own special arts and music activities designed just for them. Teens will gather in workshops with young adult Ethiopian adoptee mentors to talk about growing up adopted and how they can more deeply connect with their roots. Parents are invited learn more about parenting, raising adopted children, and how to navigate through transracial and transcultural issues. Everyone will have the opportunity to learn traditional songs and dances, eat traditional food and, most importantly, embrace what it means to be Ethiopian.

Nestled in the beautiful coastal redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Redwood Glen provides a rustic setting with a variety of recreational activities for families to enjoy between organized activities. There are scenic hiking trails, an enclosed play structure and a heated swimming pool with certified lifeguards on duty. A large meadow is available for softball, soccer, and other games. A paved outdoor basketball court, sand volleyball pit, tetherballs, horseshoes, ping pong, foosball and an archery range are also available. In addition, families will have the opportunity to enjoy Ethiopian coffee ceremonies or browse our Ethiopian Merkato.

The weekend culminates in the high point of camp: our closing night celebration! We will enjoy a banquet of traditional Ethiopian food and a performance by our guest artists. In addition, our children (and some brave parents) will demonstrate the songs and dances they've learned. Be sure to bring your Ethiopian clothing to wear this night. Some clothing will be available for purchase in the Merkato.

Guest Speakers

When we ask people what they'd like to see at camp, the most common request is for speakers who will talk about what it's like to grow up as an adopted child and, most importantly, as the child of a transracial adoption. This year we will focus our discussions on that topic. Joining us as keynote speakers are two women who can speak from first-hand experience, Susan Soon-Keum Cox and Amber Tsehai Stime.

Susan Soon-Keum Cox was one of the first Korean adoptees, coming to the U.S. in 1956 at the age of four. Ms. Cox has worked with international adoption and child welfare issues for more than twenty-five years and is the Vice President of Public Policy and External Affairs for Holt International Children's Services - the same agency that placed her in America. She's the author of Voices from Another Place: A Collection of Works from a Generation Born in Korea and Adopted to Other Countries.

Amber Tsehai Stime, MSW is the Founder and Executive Director of African Cradle, Inc. Ms. Stime was one of the first Ethiopian adoptees, coming to the U.S. at the age of eight. Credited by many as being the pioneer of modern Ethiopian adoption, Amber is a recognized leader in multi-cultural and transracial adoption and education. With over twenty-five years of experience in adoption placement, Ms. Stime now focuses her work on post-adoption support.

To get a better idea of what Ethiopian Heritage Camp has to offer, you can download the the Program Booklets from previous years below. These booklets show that year's speakers and presenters as well as the daily schedule of events.

2008 Camp Program Booklet         2009 Camp Program Booklet         2010 Camp Program Booklet

Camp Fees Camp Housing Frequently Asked Questions

Register Now Online Download the Registration Packet Return to Camp Home Page