The ATG Family was exceptionally proud be a able to participate in the 2014 Vietnamese Heritage Camp. Our team flew from Dallas to Denver, then drove to the YMCA of the Rockies in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado. In following this year’s camp theme, “We Are Family,” ATG presented a workshop called “F.A.M.I.L.Y Redefined.” Using interactive games, group discussion and visual art, our team helped VHC campers from 6th grade through 12 grade  find new ways to think about family and create relationships with their VHC family. Campers got to create their own souvenir – a tree with fingerprint leaves of every person in their group to remind them of the “family” they have at VHC.

ATG was also asked to participate in other parts of camp, including helping preschool children through 3rd grade campers appreciate Vietnamese culture through Lunar New Year inspired arts and crafts. Two of our team, Hue Dao Miner and Carol Nguyen, taught cultural Vietnamese dances to the younger campers, which was performed at the gala on Saturday night. Our President/Founder, Tammy Nguyen Lee, co-emceed the Gala with ATG Advisor and VHC Camp Co-Director, Jared Rehberg.  This weekend left everyone filled with wonderful memories that we’ll cherish forever.

“Seeing everyone come together, awarding all our 2014 Heritage Camp Scholarship Winners in person, celebrating our very own Jared’s 40th Birthday and sharing this experience with my children plus my ATG family made it an exceptionally memorable weekend. For me, it drives home the mission of what ATG means and all the important things we can do for the community to affect change and positively influence lives.” ~ Tammy Nguyen Lee (ATG President/Founder)

“It was fun getting to connect with the adoptees and their families, as well as connecting with our own ATG family. I’m looking forward to next year.”  ~ Nikki Duong Koenig (ATG Ambassador, 1st time camp presenter)

“Returning year after year for three years has brought a wealth of memories at Vietnamese Heritage Camp. I love engaging adopted families in cultural activities that’s fun and educational. Being a counselor in the past and now as a presenter, I love seeing these children grow up into critical thinking individuals. Heck, one of the kids I counseled is now a counselor herself. It’s about passing the torch and paying it forward. I feel ATG played a role in empowering these families with vast experiences of redefining family. I look forward to going back again.” ~ Hue Dao Miner (ATG Ambassador, 2-time camp counselor, 1st time camp presenter)

“It started out with a beautiful and peaceful scenic drive to Estes park and ended with an ATG cheer!  The things I’ll always remember about this trip – The love and support that was very apparent from the families for their adoptees, the fun activities all around us that built life bonds, our ATG group presentation that turned out better than expected, how tired I was from all of our activities, our beautiful cabin in the mountains, watching the rising sun reflect off the mountains, and most of all… hearing stories of all the positive things the heritage camp does for the adoptees and what it means to them.  It’s always a wonder to me how one life can be such a positive influence and change someone else’s forever.  As brief a time as it was, my 1st camp experience was a very enlightening and exhausting one.” ~ Kate Nguyen (ATG Ambassador, 1st time camp presenter)

Check out the list of 2014 Heritage/Culture Camp Winners.

Watch Jared’s song from the Opening Ceremony:

 

Some highlights from our weekend. See more pics from Camp here.