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One of our most important responsibilities that we have as parents is to nurture our children’s self-esteem in a positive direction. There is evidence that trans-culturally adopted children have much brighter self-images if they feel a positive connection to their birth countries. This is often difficult to tap into and cultivate, isn’t it? International adoptive families have found that a Heritage Camp can support the journey towards positive feelings! But, alas, it can be really challenging to find an appropriate camp. A few of our children have traveled great distances to participate in international adoption-oriented camps. These kids have made meaningful connections with other kids who have similar histories, learned a great deal about the countries of their birth, and had amazing times. But the friends they made are far away, and it’s difficult to travel such a distance every year. Well, after years of fantasizing about it, we are about to make those dreams come true! FRUA INC Washington State held our very first Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia Heritage Camp Weekend in 2010. Now we are ready for our Second Annual Heritage Camp It will be held on August 5th—7th at Camp Lakeview in Graham, Washington. Do not expect a fancy resort - but this beautiful camp has a cozy lodge, cabins, a lake, playground, campfire pit, playfields, and much more. This is the kind of event that will be highlighted on your calendar in eager anticipation. A value both economically and emotionally; full of one-of-a-kind memories, substance and fun for the whole family – can you imagine anything else that could possibly take priority over this? A highlight of your summer, it is more than worth making the commitment now. Financial difficulties should keep no one from attending! There is space on the registration form for families to donate funds to help sponsor a family, if you can. If financial difficulties would make it impossible for you to afford the entire fee, please contact the camp director, and we will try to find a way for you join us. |
Additional Information |
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Thoughts about heritage camp.... |
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ACCOMMODATIONS
Included in the camp fee is a choice of one of three accommodation plans: private lodge rooms, shared cabins and cottages. Those who register early will get their first choice lodging whenever possible. Retreat Center Lodge Accommodations · 4 bed private bunk room in the lodge at the Retreat Center · Ideal for families/groups of 3-5 who want some privacy. · If you are a group of 2, we will place another group of two in the room with you if appropriate (like a son and dad with another son and dad) · Rustic, homey, comfortable lodge. Everything is beautiful wood! · Views of the lake on one side, woods on the other · Two bunks in each room · Sturdy wooden bunks · Thick camp mattresses · Space in between the bunks on the floor where you COULD put a camping mattress for a 5th person, or a small portable/camping crib (bring your own) · 2 bathrooms, a Men's and a Women's, with showers, to share down the hall · There are also more bathrooms downstairs · Cozy lobby/living room upstairs.
Retreat Center Cabin Accommodations · Share a Cabin, Dorm Style at the Retreat Center · Each cabin has its own bathroom with shower. · Each cabin has two sleeping "dorm" areas. · Front dorm room has 2 or 3 bunks, one is a double bed. Beds to sleep 5-7. This room has the least privacy of any as people have to pass through to get to the bathroom, back room, and front door. However, blankets/curtains could be hung for some privacy. · Back dorm room has a door which affords privacy, with 1 or 2 bunks and a double bed - beds to sleep 4-5 but you have to pass through the front dorm room to get to the bathroom or outside door. · Sturdy wooden bunks · Comfy thick camp mattresses · More space than in lodge rooms · Could place camping mattresses on floor if desired. · Families will be sharing these cabins - so be sure to mark your preferences on the registration form.
Cottages · Cottages are located in the campground. It is a 5 minute walk to the Retreat Center. · Each cottage has its own bathroom with shower, a kitchen or kitchenette, and a living room. · Cottages sleeps 7-9 people each. They have one bedroom. Sleeping areas are the bedroom and the living room. · Most of the beds are twin size bunk beds. There is also a double futon and a double bed in each. · Cottages are reserved for groups of 5 or more. · There will be a $45 upgrade fee to reserve a cottage for the weekend. · Click here to see the cottage layouts.
Lodge Amenities · Porch upstairs, and patio with picnic tables downstairs · Kitchen is downstairs, access to fridge to store personal snacks, coffee · Piano, foosball and ping pong in rec. room downstairs · Commercial kitchen
Staying in the Campground Camp Lakeview does have camping sites. These are not rented by FRUA, and are not included in our fee. You would need to reserve and pay for these separately. It is a short walk from the campground to the Retreat Center where all activities and meals will be held.
Staying Off-Site Part of the camp experience is bunking with friends, sharing in the evening activities, late night walks, stories by the campfire. We encourage everyone that can to take advantage of staying with us AT camp. That being said, we of course realize that there will be some who will need to stay off site for various reasons. There are no motels within walking distance. There are a few bed and breakfasts and campgrounds about 5 miles away in Graham and Eatonville. The closest motels are a bit farther in Eatonville and Roy. There are also several bigger/fancier motels in the south end of Puyallup and east of Tacoma/Spanaway that are 14 - 15 miles from camp. Email terrymand@aol.com for a list. The majority of the fee charged for camp is for the facility rental, supplies and food. For those participants who choose to stay off-site, please be aware that you will still need to register for the camp, the deposit is still $25 per person, with a slightly reduced remainder due later. Registration is required, there will be a cutoff limit of 150 people totally at camp.... so please do not just show up if you have not registered - even if you are staying off-site.
Keep in Mind All registrations are for the entire weekend. There are no partial registrations. Frequently Asked Questions |
Camp Lakeview |
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Heritage Camp |
