Weekend Retreat

Dear Camp Families,

We're happy to officially announce Holt International's Teen Weekend Leadership Retreat! NJ Adoptee Weekend Retreat: Spring Leadership Remix.

Date: April 27-29, 2012
Location: Vacamas Conference Center
Address: 256 Macopin Road, West Milford, NJ
Drop-off: Friday, April 27, 5:30pm
Closing program begins: Sunday, April 29, 12:30pm
Closing program ends: Sunday, April 29, 1:30pm
Cost: $249
Registration: https://www.ultracamp.com/clientlogin.aspx?idCamp=230&campCode=HI1

This is a fantastic opportunity for teenage Adoptees (13 to 19) to meet other Adoptees and reunite with old friends! We're following up on the success of last year's success with another great weekend planned. We will have leadership workshops and adoption discussions throughout the weekend with an emphasis on our Community of Adoptees. Participants will enjoy low ropes challenge courses, interactive workshops, and many more elements to sharpen or begin their leadership training and further explore their own community of Adoptees. There will also be a closing ceremony opportunity for all participants that will begin at 12:30pm on Sunday, April 27 at the retreat site. Of course, all of this takes place among our unique environment – created, designed, staffed, and facilitated by Adoptees.

Who is eligible to attend?
The Spring Leadership Remix is open to all international, transracial, or transcultural Adoptees in high school or older (up to age 19). There are no limitations based on adoption agency. There are no prerequisites for having attended one of our previous programs or events. In fact, this is a fantastic opportunity for a teen Adoptee to get introduced to new friends.

What will participants do for the weekend?
Participants will take part in our aforementioned leadership and adoption workshops – these will have an age-specific and age-appropriate focus. We will also work hard to build up our Adoption Community by celebrating the unique experiences we all share through directed socialization and a moderate amount of supervised free time. There will be no shortage of structured activities throughout the weekend to focus on leadership and skills building.

Who will supervise this retreat?
Continuing with our high standards for supervision and safety, we will adhere to ACA guidelines of maintaining an appropriate and safe environment for participants. We will utilize adult Adoptees trained in facilitating adoption discussion, appropriate counselor/camper contact, and CPR/first aid. We will maintain at least a 1:10 ratio of campers to supervisors. If you've been to our Overnight Camp before, these counselors will be many that you already know! Michael Tessier, Camp Director, will manage the program.

What about sleeping?
This is an overnight retreat and campers will stay in a winterized retreat building designed to appropriately and safely house campers. There are separate rooms within the building for each gender. Participants should bring a sleeping bag and pillow or sheet set and pillow.

What about food?
We will serve all meals and snacks between (and including) dinner on Friday night and lunch on Sunday morning.

What's the closing program?
The closing program will give parents an in-depth look into what participants did during the weekend. A short, half hour presentation by Michael Tessier will be provided and allow parents to ask any questions about the content of our workshops or sessions.

Why should an Adoptee attend?
Holt International is one of the first organizations to create and offer Adoptee-targeted post adoption services. Throughout our 30 years of service, we have found that one of the most helpful, desired, and needed services for Adoptees is the opportunity to meet other Adoptees. Our programming offers a truly unique environment that Adoptees do not get in daily life – an opportunity to be surrounded by (and celebrate with) Adoptees like themselves. We offer safe environments in which Adoptees can choose to discuss (or simply hear other Adoptees' stories about) their thoughts, feelings, and experiences with adoption in a supervised and age-appropriate manner. It's sometimes a misconception by those unfamiliar with our programming that our services are intended only for Adoptees who have exhibited "issues" – this couldn't be further from the truth. All Adoptees, no matter where they are in their adoption journey can benefit from and enjoy our Adoption Community. We welcome Adoptees of any birth country, agency, or adoption story. We hope you join us soon!

What if my child has never attended one your programs?
Our community is welcoming and open to all Adoptees. We'd be happy to chat with your son or daughter about the Retreat and may connect them with past campers to talk about their experiences, too.

What if my child needs to leave/arrive early/late?
Please contact Michael Tessier in order to arrange your child's late or early arrival or departure from the retreat. Participants will not be permitted to leave the retreat without their parents' express permission.

How much and where do I register?
The registration fee is $249. This includes all meals from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch. It also includes lodging, supervision, and workshops. This price keeps with our $100/night price for Overnight Camp.

How do I register?
Register online at https://www.ultracamp.com/clientlogin.aspx?idCamp=230&campCode=HI1

Contact Pame Chow, Camp Registrar, for additional information or support.

For campers who attended our 2011 Overnight Camp – you need only complete three forms: liability release, media release, and the first page only of the Health Form.

For campers who did not attend our 2011 Overnight Camp – you must complete the above forms in addition to all pages of the Health Form.

Please see our registration site to register. Space is limited so register soon!

Sincerely,
Youth Programming and Camp Director
Holt International Children's Services
1195 City View, Eugene, OR 97402
michaelt@holtinternational.org; 541.505.5511