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2007 JOINT CONFERENCE AND HERITAGE CAMP EVENT INFORMATION & ITINERARY!

Last Update 6/4/2007

We are using this new page as the central point of information for the 2007 VAN And Vietnamese Heritage Camp Joint Conference. Please refer to this document for workshop, registration, travel, lodging, and other camp information. We will blast the Yahoo Groups as well as e-mails to those already registered when we have updates to this page as well.


EVENT THEMES

Journeys and Stories is the theme for this year's joint VAN conference and Vietnamese Heritage Camp. VAN has always had a conference targeted toward what is unique to our community and this year we're going to the next level to be a part of Vietnamese Heritage Camp to create programs for the young, the old, and our families.


WORKSHOPS AND ACTIVITIES

This year we're looking to provide even more workshops and activities for children and familes, and adult adoptees to connect with one another including:

  • Workshops for older and younger adoptees to talk about their stories and journeys as adoptees
  • Workshops for adoptees and parents that allow everyone to learn about Vietnamese cooking, culture, and customs
  • Opportunities to hear stories about returning to birth countries
  • Opportunities to learn about how to write your own story
  • Opportunities to learn about the latest research on adoptees and adoptive families
  • Marshmallow roast and a Vietnamese festival (MMMMMM!)
Here is a sample of what will be presented for adult workshops (some descriptions may change as they enter final stages):

  • First Steps: A workshop focusing on you (parent or adoptee); this offers a safe place to hear others' stories and experiences. Many adoptees and parents realize for the first time they are not alone and find comfort in hearing from others what brings them to the conference
  • VAN Panels: VAN members offer question and answer panels that share adoption stories, dating and marriage, trips back and much, much more. Audience members ask questions of adult adoptees.
  • Vietnam Ties: This workshop is presented by Vietnam Ties Program which organizes trips back to Vietnam for adoptees young and old and their families. Come hear success stories of those that have traveled back and find out how you can plan your trip.
  • Your Adoption Documents: Presented by Bree Sibbel, and focusing on adoption documents, what they mean and how to interpret them.
  • Research on birth mothers and care givers: Presented by Dana Sachs focusing on research about birth mothers and care givers. More information coming.
  • Dating and Marriage: Discussions about dating and marriage for adopted persons.
  • Identity and Adoption: Presented by Bert Ballard.
  • Writing Your Story:  Presented by Matt Steiner, focusing on telling your story as an adopted person/family.
  • Vietnamese Cooking/Vietnamese Dress:  Learning about cooking and dressing Vietnamese style.
  • Adoption in the Media: Discussing adoption in T.V., books,
  • The value of sharing your story as an adopted person:  More information coming.
  • Inherited White Privilege:  Looking at white privilege and how adoptees can inherit that in some instances.
  • Seasoned Attendees: For those of you that have been with VAN since the beginning (thank you!) we are offering workshops on how to make sure your adoption doesn't take over your life; find out how to write your story and look for publication; learn about research being done in Vietnam and the U.S. focusing on Vietnamese adoption in the 1970s.


BEING A CAMP COUNSELOR

VAN members can serve as counselors, which means you would spend the entire camp with the children. For those "veteran" VAN conference attendees, this is a great way to connect and give back and have some fun! You will be able to get on board when you check-in for the conference/camp.


EVENT REGISTRATION, COST, LOCATION & GENERAL INFORMATION

The new registration deadline is now JUNE 19, 2007, however we highly recomend registering as soon as possible.


TRAVEL INFORMATION IN COLORADO

The Denver International Airport is positioned about 2 hours away from SMR (Snow Mountain Ranch YWCA). To get to SMR there are a few options:

  • Home James Transportation Service: There is a shuttle that runs from airport and is relatively cheap (especially for groups). This could be a great option if coordinated with some friends.
    http://www.homejames-shuttle.com/shuttle.php
  • Car rental: From Denver International, you can rent a car to get around CO as well as to and from the Heritage Camp and 2007 VAN Conference. While this may not be an option for eveyrone, it could be a great option for groups and families. If you do need driving direction, driving directions can be gotten here from the YWCA site: http://www.ymcarockies.org/home/our-locations/snow-mountain-ranch/Smrmaps.
  • Car Pooling: We will try and help with coordinating transporation if possible with other adoptees/groups going up to the mountain for VAN members, or Vietnamese adoptees attending the conference, however we need to know your travel itinerary to help coordinate this and cannot guarantee a ride up/back depending upon individual iteneraries.


LODGING

Lodging is not included in the registration fee and should be secured directly through the YWCA Snow Mountain Ranch by the individual/family. The link for their site is:

http://www.ymcarockies.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=YMCAHome. 

Right now there are no bulk rate discounts for lodging, as discounts are already being given to subsidize the camp and conference meeting spaces (in the registration fees), but VAN members/adoptees will be located in one main building for lodging (you have to let them know you are a VAN member or associated with VAN as a Vietnamese adoptee - you can also procure a room that is not in that building if you feel more comfortable doing that as well).

Please note that when you stay at SMR, this also includes food (we just learned this information and are still getting the word out).

Here is a link to a trail/cabin map.


CHECK-IN AND BUILDINGS AND CELLPHONES

Check in for the rooms is at the Administration building at SMR (see the map linked below). For facilitators and other special guests their room keys will be at the Kiva. Everyone should check in at the Admin building to get their room key then come to the Kiva to pick up their family bag which will have all the weekend's information in it, plus t-shirts.

Here is a link to a full camp map (PDF).  

When looking at this map most activities happen at bldg #'s 17, 11 & 5 for the adult workshops, market, and check-in, with a few classes outside this area. The kids classes are scattered around this central location usually in bldgs. #4, 16, 19. Please note however that we will not have firm buildings until after the close of registration (because of the multiple camps, etc. that go on there).

Many cell phones do not work at SMR. If anyone is lost, SMR has land lines they can call to get directions. We will be giving out cell numbers to VAN members, adoptees later on (just in case cell reception works).

 
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2007 VAN and Vietnamese Heritage Camp joint conference