Heritage camps are a great way for transracial families of all different make-ups to celebrate and learn about their adopted children’s cultures together.

Culture camps are usually held in the summer for 3-7 days, and offer classes, activities, lots of socialization and other great experiences for families to enjoy together.

There are camps designed for families with children of all ages and camps designed for children of specific ages. There are camps for almost every race and culture and they are held in many different locations across the country. The number of camps offered each year appears to be growing, thanks to a huge turnout and interest from adoptive families.

While culture camps are a great way to help adopted children find and maintain connections to their heritage, perhaps the greatest aspect of culture camp is the fact that is brings transracial families together. For one week, your child is in the cultural majority. For one week, your child is surrounded by other kids who look like them, and who also have families that do not. For one week, your child isn’t different because they are adopted transracially. They are just like everybody else.

Culture camps give children the opportunity to find same-race mentors and friends, to learn new things about their culture and to find new things to be proud of and enjoy. And since most of these camps are designed for entire families, no one is left out. Culture camps for families allow a family to truly embrace, experience and enjoy a child’s culture together, as a family.

For 2006 there are culture camps scheduled for children that are African-American and for children from China, Eastern Europe/Russia, India, South Asia, Kazakhstan, Korea, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Marshall and other Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia and the Philippines, as well as Multicultural camps.

There are camps in many states across the country, which means most families should be able to get to one without too much traveling.

Information on culture camps, including a full heritage event calendar with events, dates, phone numbers, email address, websites and contact information, is available at www.adoptivefamilies.com/calendar

I encourage you to rethink your family vacation plans this summer (if time and money allow), and consider taking a vacation that will strengthen your family and provide a wonderful cultural experience for your children.