I'm not really even sure where to begin with this one. It's hard to sum up my feelings about camp.
For starters, I knew the boys would easily make friends and love time playing. That's just their jam. I also knew from looking at the camp schedule that there would be plenty of family time and activities for family time that the boys would love. Pretty much anytime they get to have a blast with dad, the day is going to be a win. Both of these thoughts proved to be accurate.
I really just wasn't sure how they would respond to the Ethiopian culture and language side of things. When we get together with a large ET group in Lubbock, Ollie hates all the hugs and kisses. Neither of the boys has been adventurous in eating traditional food. Neither of the boys are particularly grateful (read: don't like) when another ET family gives the boys hand-me downs of traditional clothes. What would it be like at camp? Would they be annoyed at cultural aspects? Feel pressure to be something that they don't (yet) strongly identify with? Feel embarrassed to try new things? Or would it be the opposite, love the ET culture and love trying new things? I really had no clue.
When we checked in on the first afternoon, the answer was obvious. They seemed empowered. The atmosphere was amazing. 90% or more of the kids looked like them. 80% of the families looked like theirs with white parents and Ethiopian kids. If the parents weren't white, they were Ethiopian, Ethiopian-American, or African American. The kids jumped right in and tried to play traditional ET games, started making friends, and started noticing that everyone who ran every activity was Ethiopian. It rubbed off on their mindsets quickly. When we were walking through the registration line, we were asked "where are you from?" Obvious answer: Texas. However, Seth choose to reply: "Ethiopia!!!!" This got lots of laughs and about 15 "me too's!!"
In short, it was cool to be Ethiopian. There was an immense shared pride in Ethiopian culture and all things Ethiopian. I immediately wanted every single Ethiopian family or Ethiopian adoptive family I knew to be there sharing the experience with us.
Between whole group activities and family free times, the kids were also grouped by age and had mostly college-aged Ethiopia-American teachers/counselors. They had fun exploring cultural things and dipped their toes into language, dancing, and cooking, but also had art, played soccer, and went on hikes. Meanwhile, the adults had sessions on race, racism, black male role models, language, ET wedding traditions, Addis, and supporting economic growth in Ethiopia. Educational, empowering, fun, let me tell you, camp had it all.
For starters, I knew the boys would easily make friends and love time playing. That's just their jam. I also knew from looking at the camp schedule that there would be plenty of family time and activities for family time that the boys would love. Pretty much anytime they get to have a blast with dad, the day is going to be a win. Both of these thoughts proved to be accurate.
I really just wasn't sure how they would respond to the Ethiopian culture and language side of things. When we get together with a large ET group in Lubbock, Ollie hates all the hugs and kisses. Neither of the boys has been adventurous in eating traditional food. Neither of the boys are particularly grateful (read: don't like) when another ET family gives the boys hand-me downs of traditional clothes. What would it be like at camp? Would they be annoyed at cultural aspects? Feel pressure to be something that they don't (yet) strongly identify with? Feel embarrassed to try new things? Or would it be the opposite, love the ET culture and love trying new things? I really had no clue.
When we checked in on the first afternoon, the answer was obvious. They seemed empowered. The atmosphere was amazing. 90% or more of the kids looked like them. 80% of the families looked like theirs with white parents and Ethiopian kids. If the parents weren't white, they were Ethiopian, Ethiopian-American, or African American. The kids jumped right in and tried to play traditional ET games, started making friends, and started noticing that everyone who ran every activity was Ethiopian. It rubbed off on their mindsets quickly. When we were walking through the registration line, we were asked "where are you from?" Obvious answer: Texas. However, Seth choose to reply: "Ethiopia!!!!" This got lots of laughs and about 15 "me too's!!"
In short, it was cool to be Ethiopian. There was an immense shared pride in Ethiopian culture and all things Ethiopian. I immediately wanted every single Ethiopian family or Ethiopian adoptive family I knew to be there sharing the experience with us.
Between whole group activities and family free times, the kids were also grouped by age and had mostly college-aged Ethiopia-American teachers/counselors. They had fun exploring cultural things and dipped their toes into language, dancing, and cooking, but also had art, played soccer, and went on hikes. Meanwhile, the adults had sessions on race, racism, black male role models, language, ET wedding traditions, Addis, and supporting economic growth in Ethiopia. Educational, empowering, fun, let me tell you, camp had it all.
Free Time:
Playing "Pepsi" an Ethiopia Street game, kinda like bowling, baseball and dodge ball all rolled into one.
Dividing teams for soccer.
Seth's first time on a horse!
Ollie's first pony ride!
Gotta have a bounce house, of course.
Jumping in!
Shopping at the market
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Campfire Night:
Seth roasting a marshmallow.
Ollie, in a typical I'm-almost-five-and-don't-need-anyone-to-tell-me-what's-going-on fashion, saw other kids roasting theirs, ran over and got a stick, stuck a marshmallow on the end, ran over to us and ate the marshmallow off his stick without sticking it in the fire.
It was hilarious, and Ollie did not want to hear that he forgot the roasting part.
Whatever mom. Just whatever.
Seth, joining in the dancing.
Live Music
Dancing crowd
Kids stretched out playing as far as the eye can see in every direction from the campfire.
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Classes:
Seth was in Camel group.
Calling all camels!
Ollie's class performing the song and dance they learned.
Seth's class performance.
Teenage group showcasing their dancing.
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Food and Friends!
BBQ!
Abel and Seth, two peas in a pod.
Twins!
Lucky Charms, quite possibly Ollie's favorite meal of the trip.
Hannah, Ollie, Seth, Helen, and Abel
Ollie and Seth both got way into the food declaring a love for injera, but no love for lamb. I agree.
More of Abel and Seth
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Banquet Night:
Aren't we cute?
Waiting for dinner.
Scold me if you come to my house and this has yet to be printed and framed somewhere.
Handsome!
Gah. This kid is too cute.
Preparing for the group picture.
Once we got to camp, the boys changed their tune about wanting to wear traditional clothes. This night was so much fun seeing everyone dressed up!
ET selfies!
Headed back to our room after eating and watching all the dancing.
A great experience for sure! Spread the word and we can hopefully meet up there next year!
LOVE LOVE LOVE- must have more details through email- I would love to join you next year- BTW could they be any more handsome?! I LOVE O's hair- :) Kristy
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