A week of Holt camp will be one of the best experiences of your life. Along with other Adoptees, you'll have the chance to try new things, make new friends and discuss issues that are important and unique to Adoptees. No matter which location or camp experience you attend, you'll fill your days playing group games, developing skits, playing sports, swimming, living in cabins, exploring your identity, eating great food, creating arts and crafts and hanging out with new and old friends — all under the leadership and supervision of trained adult Adoptee camp counselors!
Due to the coronavirus/ COVID-19 outbreak around the world and in the United States, we unfortunately will be suspending the 2020 camp season.
Camp dates and locations for the 2021 season will be announced at a later date.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact the Camp Registrar and/or Camp Director.
Holt Overnight Camp is available to all domestic and international, transracial or transcultural Adoptees ages 9 to 17.
Dates (see below for detailed location information):
Cost: $675 (OR,WI,NE) $775 (CA & NJ). Some “camperships” are available!
Questions? Contact Pame Chow, camp registrar, for more information.
Meals:Provided with the registration fee.
Sample Schedule:
8:30 Breakfast
9:00 Group games
10:00 Art class
11:00 Adoption lesson
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Recharge
2:00 Swimming
4:00 Group games
5:00 Dinner skit prep
6:00 Dinner
6:45 Small group adoption discussion
7:15 Evening activities
8:30 Campfire
9:30 Return to cabin, get ready for bed.
July 5-9, 2020
Macleay Conference & Retreat Center
2887 74th Avenue SE
Salem, OR 97317
July 12-16, 2020
The Oaks Camp & Conference Center
18651 Pine Canyon Road
Lake Hughes, CA 93532
July 21-25, 2020
Camp Whitcomb Mason, Hartland
W294 N8436 Camp Whitcomb Road
Hartland, WI 53029
July 27-August 31, 2020
Camp Carol Joy Holling
27416 Ranch Road
Ashland, NE 68003
August 3-8, 2020
Camp Tecumseh
445 Mechlin Corner Road
Pittstown, NJ 08867
Holt Junior Overnight Camp is available to all domestic and international, transracial or transcultural Adoptees ages 6 to 8.
Dates (see below for detailed location information):
Cost: $300. Some “camperships” are available!
Questions? Contact Pame Chow, camp registrar, for more information.
Meals:Provided with the registration fee.
Sample Schedule:
8:30 Breakfast
9:00 Group games
10:00 Art class
11:00 Adoption lesson
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Recharge
2:00 Swimming
4:00 Group games
5:00 Dinner skit prep
6:00 Dinner
6:45 Small group adoption discussion
7:15 Evening activities
8:30 Campfire
9:30 Return to cabin, get ready for bed.
July 12-14, 2020
The Oaks Camp & Conference Center
18651 Pine Canyon Road
Lake Hughes, CA 93532
July 21-23, 2020
Camp Whitcomb Mason, Hartland
W294 N8436 Camp Whitcomb Road
Hartland, WI 53029
July 27-29, 2020
Camp Carol Joy Holling
27416 Ranch Road
Ashland, NE 68003
August 3-6, 2020
Camp Tecumseh
445 Mechlin Corner Road
Pittstown, NJ 08867
Our first Holt family retreat is an exciting opportunity for parents and Adoptees to slow down, take a breath, connect with each other and connect with other adoptive families, all the while building a supportive community of Adoptees and adoptive families.
For four days and three nights, you and your child will enjoy a retreat program designed to enhance adoption communication skills, and begin building the language to effectively express the nuanced experience that is adoption. This learning will be facilitated by adoption professionals through family activities, parent workshops, and interactive fun and games.
Adoptees will have an opportunity to experience the Adoptee community in a camp setting, while parents will take part in innovative training and workshops facilitated by nationally recognized program and thought leaders in adoption. The multi-day family retreat also provides an opportunity to enjoy the Pacific Northwest, spend quality family time together, and grow as Adoptees and adoptive parents.
This program is available to adoptive parents, and all international, domestic, transracial or transcultural Adoptees 8 years old and younger.
Dates: July 5-8, 2020
Macleay Conference & Retreat Center
2887 74th Avenue SE
Salem, OR 97317
Travel: The camp location is 62 miles from the Portland International Airport and 72 miles from the Eugene Airport.
Cost: $1,500 per family (up to a family of four). This includes lodging, meals and programming. Travel to Oregon is not included. Families larger than four will be offered a discount for each additional family member. See the table below for details.
| 5th Additional Person | 6th Additional Person | 7th Additional Person | 8th Additional Person | |
| Discount Price Per Additional Person | $450 | $400 | $350 | $300 |
| Grand Total | $1,950 | $2,350 | $2,700 | $3,000 |
Questions? Contact Pame Chow, camp registrar, for more information.
Family Day Camp is tailored for adoptees and parents to experience together. This single day of workshops, activities and games for adoptees and their parents will help foster new skills to talk about adoption in a fun and exciting setting. The program includes adoptee identity and race/racism education, Q&A sessions with adult adoptees and an emphasis on interactivity with both other adoptees and adoptive parents. This Family Day Camp is also an excellent way to experience our full adoptee camp without the week-long, overnight commitment! Family Day Camp is open to all international, transracial, transcultural adoptees 5-8 years old and their parents.
Eligible Participants: This program is available to all international, transracial, or transcultural adoptees and their parents. All children must be accompanied by at least one parent. Children ages 5-8 recommended.
Dates:
Content: The program will be geared towards social interaction with other adoptive families and adoptees. There will be workshops for parents and adoptees together and separately.
Cost: $100 for one adult and one child, +$25 for each additional person
Meals: Lunch is provided with the registration fee.
Sample Schedule:
10:00 – Arrival, Registration, Welcome
10:20 – Introduction – Icebreaker games
10:30 – Split Group Adoption Session (adoptees receive their own, age-appropriate session while parents receive their own session)
11:30 – Family Art Project
12:00 – Lunch
1:00 – Camp Staff Q&A
2:00 – Swimming and Parent/Child Activity
3:00 – Joint Parent/Child Adoption Session
3:30 – Closing
4:00 – Farewells
Contact Pame Chow, camp registrar, with any questions.
Camperships are available!
Your gift will help provide one adoptee with a camp scholarship!
For more information or to ask direct questions about camp, staff, campsites, etc., please contact:
Pame Chow, Holt Camp registrar
541-687-2202 ext. 122
pamec@holtinternational.org
To provide an environment of physical and emotional safety, self-discovery, and fun. Within a community of Adoptees, campers will share their common experiences while exploring topics in adoption, race, and identity development.
Holt Adoptee Camp operates in five states: Oregon, California, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and New Jersey. We serve International and Domestic Adoptees, and their families, ages 5-17. With our Volunteer Program, we serve adult Adoptees over the age of 18.
Holt Adoptee Camp maintains focus on fun and community, just like any other summer camp! What makes this camp special, is that we have built in an Adoptee curriculum that provides space for Adoptees to discuss, share, and build identity among their peers. Another unique and important aspect of the camp is that everything has been created, built, and implemented by adult Adoptee staff – making this program one of a kind.
Safety is our first priority with your children. Our staff is carefully selected, screened, and then professionally trained for 40 hours before camp begins. We're committed to keeping the camper physically and emotionally safe, so they can fully benefit from the camp experience.
| 8:00am-9:00am | Breakfast |
| 9:00am-12:00am | “Rotations”
|
| 12:00pm-12:45pm | Lunch |
| 12:45pm-2:00pm | “Recharge” (rest time) |
| 2:00pm-4:00pm | Swimming |
| 4:00pm-4:45pm | Olympics (games with all campers) |
| 4:45pm-5:30 pm | All camper activity (scavenger hunt, trivia game, etc.) |
| 5:30pm-5:45pm | Skit Prep |
| 5:45pm-6:00pm | Skits! |
| 6:00pm-6:45pm | Dinner |
| 6:45pm-7:15pm | Cabin Discussion (talks regarding adoption) |
| 7:15pm-8:15pm | “Electives” (choice of various activities, such as, card/board games, sports, yoga, dance, art, etc.). Can vary by camp site and what is available. |
| 8:15pm- 8:30pm | Clean Up |
| 8:30pm-9:30pm | Evening Entertainment (E2) – Counselor led games, songs, skits, being generally goofy with volunteer campers |
| 9:30pm | Bed Time |
A detailed email will be sent to registrants prior to opening day with more details.
Holt doesn't accept emails for the campers. We don't have the resources to get the email and then print them.
Feel free to send letters and care packages to your child while they're at camp. It will take a few days for the mail to arrive, so take that into account when mailing.
Holt Camp (Camper Name)
Macleay Conference & Retreat Center
2887 74th Avenue SE
Salem, OR 97317
Holt Camp (Camper Name)
The Oaks Camp & Conference Center
18651 Pine Canyon Road
Lake Hughes, CA 93532
Holt Camp (Camper Name)
Camp Whitcomb- Mason
W294 N8436 Camp Whitcomb Road
Hartland, WI 53029
Holt Camp (Camper Name)
Camp Carol Joy Holling
27416 Ranch Road
Ashland, NE 68003
Holt Camp (Camper Name)
Camp Tecumseh
445 Mechlin Corner Rd,
Pittstown, NJ 08867
Phone Calls
In rare cases of extreme homesickness, a call home is allowed, usually to have the parent come pick up their child early. If an emergency happens where the parent needs to contact the camper, you can use these camp numbers. They will connect you with the campsite and will then deliver the message to the camp director.
Macleay Conference and Retreat Center/ OR
(503) 391-2807
The Oaks Camp and Conference Center/ CA
(661) 724-1018
Camp Whitcom-Mason/ WI
(262) 538-1190
Camp Carol Joy Holling/NE
402-944-2544
East Coast Camp/NJ
908-851-9300
Opening Day
A detailed email will be sent to registrants prior to opening day with the most up to date details.
Registration usually will begin around 2:00pm on the opening day at your particular camp site. This gives you an hour window to check in your camper and their medications before camp starts.
The camp will officially begin at 3:00. At this time, kids will leave with their counselors and camp will start. You are responsible for your camper until this time. The purpose of this policy is not to inconvenience our camper families, but to ensure that we are 100% ready for your children. Our staff will be taking advantage of every minute prior to 3:00. We appreciate your patience.
Closing Day
Oregon & California – Thursday
Nebraska – Friday
New Jersey & Wisconsin– Saturday
Please contact Pame Chow with any questions: pamec@holtinternational.org
We are looking for enthusiastic adult adoptees to be camp staff with us this summer. The staff is required to work with Holt for five weeks between July - August. This time includes one week of staff training before camps begin. Once the camp season is under way, we’ll travel together across the country to serve hundreds of transracial and international adoptees. Through organized small group times and everyday interactions, you’ll have the opportunity to mentor the campers while helping them grow and be their best.
Now accepting applications for the 2020 camp season!
Once we receive the completed application, the camp director will contact you and set up a time for an interview. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Thank you for your interest in helping adoptees.
As a Holt Camp staff member, you'll have the opportunity to see five different parts of the country during our time together. While you volunteer your time, travel, room and board are all expenses covered by Holt.
While a majority of our time will be spent with campers, the staff will get 24 hours off each week to relax and recharge for the next group we’ll serve.
Every staff person will be accountable to the Camp Director, but will also be accountable to each other. As a team, we’ll be counting on one another for support, ideas, and encouragement throughout the summer.
During your time with us, you'll be either a counselor or support staff. Everyone will at some point have the opportunity to be a counselor and work directly with the kids. Enrollment for any particular week will determine who and how many will be on support. As support staff, you'll be a "floater," making sure that activities are running smoothly and counselors have what they need, and taking care of any miscellaneous tasks assigned by the director.
As a counselor, you’ll have many responsibilities. We’ve broken them down into two categories.
1. Campers
You’re responsible for the safety of the campers for 24 hours a day as soon as they check in until they check out. You’ll assist in leading them in scheduled activities throughout the day. You’ll live with them in cabins with 8 campers (at the most). You’ll lead your cabin group in discussions on race, identity, and adoption. You’ll set the standard for your campers in the areas of: sportsmanship, environmental stewardship, punctuality, and interaction with peers.
2. Camp Activities
Counselors will be assigned to teach and lead certain camp activities, based on interest and skill sets.
Counselors will participate in all activities, setting the mood for the campers. A counselor who’s having fun leads to campers having fun.
We are excited to welcome adult Adoptees to come enjoy and help out at camp! Volunteers help build a dynamic, organized and meaningful camp experience for our campers, and we hope you consider being a part of our growing Holt Adoptee Camp network!
All volunteers must be adopted, 18 years of age or older at the time of service, pass a routine state background check, and be able to provide his or her own transportation to the site. The deadline to apply is 3 weeks before your expected date to volunteer. Once your application is received, our special programs coordinator will contact you with follow-up materials. We appreciate your interest in contributing to the Adoptee community!
Engage with campers! You can share your knowledge and adoptee experiences with other camp attendees. You’ll meet people of all ages from across the U.S. and around the world and help them make memories of a lifetime. Our hope is for you to leave camp with new ideas, passions and a good feeling of service to the Adoptee community!
Volunteers are needed to assist in four main areas during Opening Day, Family Overnight Camp and Family Day Camp at each camp location. With guidance from the Holt camp staff, our volunteers assist with camp activities, oversee young campers, support counselors and provide campsite directions. During the application process, you will have the opportunity to state your preferred volunteer duty. We will strive to assign you a role based on your stated preference, however we cannot guarantee you will be assigned to your preferred area. Camp is a dynamic and ever-changing environment, and we appreciate your flexibility; it’s key to our success. Consider which roles and locations might fit your interests.
The four main duties include:
Cleaning, Activity set-up
Activity Volunteers will report to the Special Programs Coordinator and mainly help with preparation and maintenance around the campsite. Duties include, but are not limited to, assisting in the set-up and break-down of work areas, moving equipment, helping keep craft items safe/secure and keeping the area clean and organized.
One-on-One Camp Buddy
Camp Buddy Volunteers are each assigned to one young camper and are responsible for the care and support of that camper throughout daily activities. Volunteers may be asked to move between campers as needed. Volunteers are expected to be friendly, caring, encouraging and able to work with very shy kids.
Shadow a Counselor
Shadow Volunteers support counselor staff mainly in times of transitioning campers from one activity to the next. Duties include, but are not limited to, assisting in the set-up and break-down of work areas, communicating needs, area maintenance and crowd control.
Wayfinding
Wayfinding Volunteers will be stationed in various locations around the campsite and provide general assistance whenever and wherever needed. Tasks may include, but are not limited to, communicating needs, area maintenance and crowd control.
Please note: Volunteer Dates will be announced soon!
Holt International is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. EIN: 23-7257390.
