Camp Overview Mission Statement The Importance of Camp Going to China Camp Volunteering at Camp Other Ways to Help		2009 Hotel Accommodations 2008 Camp Highlights Camp Photoshow Post-China Camp e-News Contact Camp Staff

Camp Overview
Dillon International's China Heritage Camp is a 3-day camp designed for ALL adoptive families (regardless of agency used for adoption placement) who have adopted from the People's Republic of China.  China Heritage Camp provides adoptees and their families the following opportunities:

• A greater understanding and awareness of their child’s birth heritage

• Age appropriate camp activities for children ages 4-12

• Campers are divided into two groups -

  • Lower Camp (Pre-school and Kindergarten)

  • Upper Camp (1^st – 6^th grade)

• Activities focus on language exploration, music & art, cooking, history & culture, and martial arts

• Workshops and activities for parents

• Childcare for the younger children of camp staff, parent volunteers and those attending parent workshops (by reservation only)

• Lunch served to campers each day

•  Family Night at Camp Loughridge (click for map)

  • Families should bring their own dinner; grills will be available

  • Family Swim Time during the evening

• A Chinese lunch served on the last day of camp followed by a special camp program

Children attending Dillon’s China Heritage Camp must be between the ages of 4 (by May 1, 2009) and 12 years of age.  Campers should wear comfortable shoes and clothes to camp each day.  It is not necessary for campers to bring their own backpacks & craft supplies with them.  All supplies will be provided in individual classrooms.

Campers should arrive no earlier than 9:15 AM each day and should be picked up no later than 3:45 PM. 

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China Camp Application

Camper Application Form

Medical Form

Childcare Reservation Form

Parent Workshop Registration Form

2009 Camp T-shirt design

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Mission Statement
The purpose of Dillon's China Heritage Camp is to support all participants, including but not limited to parents, adoptees, siblings, extended family, the Chinese community and adoption community in furthering these goals:

• To provide opportunities to build lifelong friendships with other adoptive families and adoptees

• To learn about China and allow each adoptee to celebrate being Chinese

• To embrace the uniqueness of being a Chinese-American family

• To equip adoptees with the tools to enhance their self-esteem and heighten adoption understanding for today and tomorrow

• To advocate a positive image of adoption to society

• To recognize God's divine plan for each life

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Volunteering at Camp
Heritage camps could not happen without the sacrificial efforts of countless volunteers.  Volunteers are used in every capacity at China Heritage Camp and we applaud you for taking part this year!   

We have volunteer opportunities for:

A)  Counselor Apprentice Program (CAP) –children who have completed the 6^th grade may choose to be a camper or apply to be a CAP.  These young teens have the opportunity to learn from older teen counselors and participate in camp as student helpers.  They will be assigned to a class, a teacher, and at least one teen counselor.  The fee to be a CAP is $60 or 1/2 the camper fee.  If you would like to apply to be a CAP, you must submit a CAP application along with a background check. 

B)  Teen Counselors – This volunteer opportunity is open to teens who are mature, self motivated student leaders who have a passion to serve young adoptees.  If you would like to apply to be a teen counselor, you must submit a background check and send it in with your application. 

Adult volunteer - If you would like to volunteer, please fill out the volunteer application and background check.  If you have children who are under 4 years old and will need childcare while you volunteer, please refer to the Childcare Reservation form.  Fees for childcare are waived while you are volunteering; however, your child must be registered for childcare before camp.  Adult volunteers are needed in every capacity at camp and we appreciate your participation! 

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Other Ways You Can Help!

Open Your Home -- If you have an extra bedroom that you would be willing to offer to an out-of-town camp family as a place to stay in lieu of a hotel, please let us know.  Saving hotel fees could make all the difference in whether an out-of-town family is able to attend camp this year and have a chance to give their child(ren) the "heritage camp experience."

Donate to the Camp Scholarship Fund --  We also accept donations to provide scholarships to children to be able to attend camp, who otherwise would be unable to participate, and/or "family grants" to assist traveling families with their motel fees so that they may attend camp.

For more information on how your family can help a fellow camp family and share the camp experience together, email Rosalyn or call 918.749.4600.

Also, if you know of a family who needs help to attend, please let us know.

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2008 China Heritage Camp Highlights

• In honor of the summer Olympics, 2008’s theme was the Beijing Olympics.

• Some favorite activities were the Trip to China class, cooking class, and Kung Fu which was taught by Sifu Ray Hildreth and his team.

• Campers learned Chinese national sports such as Ping Pong and Badminton and traditional Chinese hacky sack.

• The hula hoop contest was a big hit with the longest Hula hooper going for almost 7 minutes!

• Families enjoyed Family night and Swimming at Camp Loughridge and a traditional Chinese lunch on Saturday.

• Camp concluded with a closing ceremony where all campers brought the torches they had made.

• China Camp saw the biggest growth spurt yet, with 210 campers attending!

• Parents enjoyed workshops such as Post Adoption 101, language, Special Needs Roundtable and a special presentation by Jaquelyn Franklin who spoke about her time in China serving in orphanages.

Photoshow Highlights from 2008 China Heritage Camp

Be sure to click the "speaker icon" to turn on the sound.

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2009 Hotel Accommodations

There are several excellent hotels located nearby the Green Country Event Center, where Dillon's 2009 China Heritage Camp will be held.  One of the hotels that we have been able to reserve a block of rooms for Dillon families is at the Radisson Hotel.  The Radisson features LEAPIN' LOUIE'S LAGOON, a mini indoor water park that is sure to be a highlight for Dillon families to enjoy during camp.  To make reservations, call toll-free 1-800-333-3333 or locally, call 918-627-5000.  Be sure to mention Dillon International's name to receive the special rate and that you are calling about our block of rooms for July 9-11, 2009.  For more info: visit the Radisson Tulsa website or download their brochure.

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