We just returned home from Vietnamese Heritage Camp in Estes Park Colorado. As usual, we had an incredible time. It is always such a great experience for our family. We feel so lucky to be able to connect with all of the other adoptive families, adult adoptees and Vietnamese Americans who donate their time to camp.
We feel privileged to call these people our families. We share such a deep connection with them. It feels good to spend three days in the presence of people who just get us. No introductions are needed. We are all connected on an unspoken level. These families have experienced the same loss, grief, obstacles and joys our family has.
It is very powerful to experience what this camp offers for our kids. Children who have not seen or spoken to each other for 362 days pick up with the friendships and conversations they left the year before.
This year is the 35th anniversary of Operation Babylift so much of the adult panels focused on this significant anniversary. We were able to view the documentary film Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam. We were able to meet the film's associate producer, Jared Rehberg (who we already knew and loved from last year's camp). We also attended a presentation by author Dana Sachs discussing her new book, The Life We Were Given: Operation Babylift, International Adoption and the Children of War in Vietnam.
I most enjoy the adult adoptee panels and discussion done each year by Vietnamese adoptees. They offer so many unique perspectives about adoption and are some of the most beautiful people we have ever met.
Of course we also were able to eat Vietnamese food, watch martial arts, listen to Vietnamese music and learn more about Vietnam's history, culture and language.
I highly recommend the heritage camps and hope all families with internationally adopted children will make it a priority to attend.
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