The theme of Pact Camp 2008 is "Putting It All Together: Families, Race and Adoption."
Family Program
The focus of Pact's program is to promote family connection by creating safe spaces for children and adults to explore their issues as well as just plain have fun. Families with adopted children of color are always coloring outside the lines that society draws for them - we don't fit into standard boxes and at Pact Camp that can be celebrated and explored. We will have a variety of group events, including a day trip to the beach at Pescadero, a family dance, campfire, and other entertainment and recreation options for the whole family. Each afternoon will feature "Family Free Time" for families to relax and play; a variety of art, games and other activities will be available from which to choose. A detailed schedule will be sent out as camp draws closer.
 Children's Program
Children six months old and younger will stay with their parents. Children from six months to 2 years will enjoy age-appropriate games, art, story time and quiet time. Preschoolers from 3-4 years old will participate in a rich variety of multicultural, nature-oriented, art, drama and recreational activities, under the guidance of experienced counselors.
Campers aged 5 through 9 and "Tweens" aged 10-12 will be in age-divided groups. They will participate in a rich menu of recreational, art, sports, drama and reflective activities, all with a multicultural focus. Besides giving them the chance to have lots of fun with other kids in adoptive families like theirs, the children's program will offer the opportunity for kids to explore the experience of being adopted. We have crafted activities geared to each age group that will allow them to reflect on family and adoption through art, performance and conversation.
Teen Leadership Program
We are pleased to announce a brand new program for teens this year. Teens aged 13-19 will be housed in their own Teen Village and have their own 24/7 staffing. They will participate in a fun leadership training program that will include a wide variety of outdoor activities, field trips and fun, while learning to serve as mentors and buddies to our many younger kids. All participants will receive 25 community service hours.
Counselor In Training Program
We have initiated a new counselor-in-training program for teens from 17-18 years old. Teens in this age range will have a different experience if they are campers in the Teen Leadership Program, versus being counselors in training.
Teen campers in the Leadership program will be participating in a combination of recreation, training programs, mentoring.
Teenaged counselors-in-training will be considered youth staff at camp and will be working full time during this week. They will be under the supervision of head counselors, and will have a variety of responsibilities while at camp. Teens in the CIT program will be expected to assist their head counselors and Pact Staff for the entire week, and will reside in a counselors' cabin. Teens who are 17-18 years old who are interested in the CIT program must apply for these positions. They must have references who will speak to their leadership qualities. Experience working with younger children is a big plus. They must also attend an all-day staff training on Sunday, June 8th. CITs will receive a small stipend plus room and board while at camp, plus a certificate for community service hours.
To request an application, email Connie Malloy at connie@pactadopt.org.
 Parents' Program
We are delighted with the professional staff who will be joining us this year. We have highlighted many of our speakers but we also anticipate adding to this list as camp draws closer. We plan to invite both international and domestically adopted adults of color to share with us as well.
Visiting Guests
- Jae Ran Kim, MSW, adult adoptee, adoption social worker, and author of the renowned blog Harlow's Monkey. She will speak about handling difficult issues and talking to children about their history as well as leading small group discussions on adoption and race from a personal and professional perspective. She will also work with the teens in their leadership program.
- John Raible, Ph.D., a longtime friend of Pact, researcher and adult adoptee, will work with the teens as well as lead discussion groups for parents.
- Robbin Rasbury, Psy.D., therapist and adoptee, will lead a workshop on Parents as Emotion Coaches.
- Rhonda Roorda, adoptee and author (In Their Own Voices, In Their Parents' Voices) will speak about her research and writings on the experiences of transracially adopted adults, their parents and their siblings.
- Holly van Gulden, MSW, renowned adoption therapist, author (Real Parents, Real Children) and speaker will observe and participate in the children's program, and lead small group discussions on issues like attachment parenting, discipline and handling children's anger.
- JilChristina Vest, co-director of iPride/Fusion (interracial pride organization) will work with the school-aged children on identity and cultural pride projects
- Chris Winston, founder of Friends of Korea in Northern California and KAAN (the Korean American Adoptee Adoptive Family Network) and author of A Euro-American on a Korean Tour at a Thai Restaurant in China, will lead a discussion about her journey of making cross-cultural connections with her children's birth culture.
Pact Affiliated Staff
 - Beth Hall, director of Pact and author of Inside Transracial Adoption
- Susan Ito, Pact's camp coordinator, an adopted adult herself and co-editor of A Ghost At Heart's Edge: Stories & Poem of Adoption
- Julie Randolph, MSW, JD, adoption education specialist and adoptive parent
- Lisa Marie Rollins, PhD, adoption education specialist and teen club coordinator
- Connie Maloy, a transracially adopted adult, and Martha Rynberg, an adoptive parent, will coordinate running the children's program and supervise the counselor staff.
- Nile Maloy, teen camp program coordinator
Guest Artists:
We always have multicultural artists visit us for teaching and entertaiment. This list will be updated as camp draws closer.
Parents will be offered a wealth of information and resources, and will have the opportunity to both meet with experts and to share their thoughts and experiences with each other. Our goal is to send you home re-energized with new information, perspectives and connections.
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