Heritage Camp FAQ
What is Heritage Camp?
Heritage Camp is an all-volunteer-run, day camp for internationally and trans-ethnically adopted children and their siblings that celebrates the many cultures that they come from.
Where is Heritage Camp?
Location: Kelloggsville East Elementary School
4645 Jefferson Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49548
MAP
When is Heritage Camp?
Heritage Camp is held the 3rd full week of June, on Tuesday-Friday of camp week, from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. each day.
How old does my child have to be to attend?
Our youngest Heritage Campers must be turning 4 by the upcoming December 1 of the camp year AND fully potty trained to attend our Multi-Cultural Preschool Camp.
Does my child have to be adopted to attend?
We welcome interested siblings of adopted children in any of our camps. We believe that sharing this experience between adopted and non-adopted family members promotes understanding and strengthens families. Because of age differences of siblings they may or may not be able to attend the same class, but we are committed to helping you find the camp and classes that best fit your family’s needs.
How are the camps/classes divided?
Preschoolers may attend our Multi-Cultural Preschool Camp or they may be placed in a camp of their birth culture depending on the number of preschoolers registered for Camp. Children ENTERING Kindergarten through 6th grade in the coming fall typically attend the camp of their/their sibling’s birth culture and those ENTERING 7th-9th grade in the coming fall may attend our Multi-Cultural Teen Camp. Larger camps like China and Korea have one or more classes for each grade. Smaller camps are grouped into multi-age classes as appropriate.
What does a typical day at Heritage Camp look like?
Each day includes a multi-cultural assembly, playground time, lunch time and music. Classroom time varies based on age, camp and curriculum and includes cultural lessons incorporating books, writing, language, crafts, food, clothing, games, dancing, music and much more.
What do we eat at Heritage Camp?
Each day a different ethnic lunch is served and is included in your registration fee. Many campers and volunteers look forward to these delicious meals each year but if you have a picky eater or a child with dietary restrictions or preferences, you are welcome to send a sack lunch from home for any/all days of camp.
How Much Does Camp Cost?
By using volunteers we have been able to keep camp costs very low, in comparison with similar camps. Current camp fees are $185 per camper for Teen Camp and $130 per camper for all other camps. Late registrants will be charged an additional $50 per camper fee. All registrations must include full payment of camp fees. We no longer charge membership dues.
What is included in the cost of Heritage Camp?
Each camper receives a camp t-shirt, most classroom supplies, lunch each day, and all camp activities.
How do I register?
Heritage Camp Registration will be available online by March 1. Class sizes may be limited and registrations are accepted on a first come, first served basis. The registration deadline is April 1. Some years, we allow late registration between April 1 and May 1, for an addition fee of $50.00 per child. In order to allow time for volunteers to make this a quality experience for our children, we cannot permit registrations after May 1.
Do I need to be a member of FFIC to attend Heritage Camp?
Yes, but you don't need to do anything special. We'll sign you up automatically when you register for Camp. And you're welcome to join FFIC any time to get on our mailing list for future camp updates. Become a FFIC Member, click here.
How do I become a volunteer?
Many volunteers are needed to make Heritage Camp a success, and some jobs begin for the next year as soon as camp is over! You may contact the Heritage Camp Co-Directors with your questions and requests to volunteer at any time during the year. Or, you may choose to wait and fill out the volunteer registration form along with your child’s Heritage Camp Registration. All volunteers must have state background checks performed to be eligible to hold a camp volunteer position. Teens may apply to volunteer if they are above Teen Camp age (going into 10th grade or older) and by submitting the appropriate application and references.
Will I be able to volunteer in my child’s classroom?
Many volunteers are placed in their child’s classroom, but the safety and well-being of campers and the needs of the camp as a whole are always the first priority in making these types of decisions. The registration and volunteer coordinators do their best to ensure that ever volunteer is placed in a position they will enjoy and where they will feel comfortable.
Heritage Camp is an all-volunteer-run, day camp for internationally and trans-ethnically adopted children and their siblings that celebrates the many cultures that they come from.
Where is Heritage Camp?
Location: Kelloggsville East Elementary School
4645 Jefferson Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49548
MAP
When is Heritage Camp?
Heritage Camp is held the 3rd full week of June, on Tuesday-Friday of camp week, from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. each day.
How old does my child have to be to attend?
Our youngest Heritage Campers must be turning 4 by the upcoming December 1 of the camp year AND fully potty trained to attend our Multi-Cultural Preschool Camp.
Does my child have to be adopted to attend?
We welcome interested siblings of adopted children in any of our camps. We believe that sharing this experience between adopted and non-adopted family members promotes understanding and strengthens families. Because of age differences of siblings they may or may not be able to attend the same class, but we are committed to helping you find the camp and classes that best fit your family’s needs.
How are the camps/classes divided?
Preschoolers may attend our Multi-Cultural Preschool Camp or they may be placed in a camp of their birth culture depending on the number of preschoolers registered for Camp. Children ENTERING Kindergarten through 6th grade in the coming fall typically attend the camp of their/their sibling’s birth culture and those ENTERING 7th-9th grade in the coming fall may attend our Multi-Cultural Teen Camp. Larger camps like China and Korea have one or more classes for each grade. Smaller camps are grouped into multi-age classes as appropriate.
What does a typical day at Heritage Camp look like?
Each day includes a multi-cultural assembly, playground time, lunch time and music. Classroom time varies based on age, camp and curriculum and includes cultural lessons incorporating books, writing, language, crafts, food, clothing, games, dancing, music and much more.
What do we eat at Heritage Camp?
Each day a different ethnic lunch is served and is included in your registration fee. Many campers and volunteers look forward to these delicious meals each year but if you have a picky eater or a child with dietary restrictions or preferences, you are welcome to send a sack lunch from home for any/all days of camp.
How Much Does Camp Cost?
By using volunteers we have been able to keep camp costs very low, in comparison with similar camps. Current camp fees are $185 per camper for Teen Camp and $130 per camper for all other camps. Late registrants will be charged an additional $50 per camper fee. All registrations must include full payment of camp fees. We no longer charge membership dues.
What is included in the cost of Heritage Camp?
Each camper receives a camp t-shirt, most classroom supplies, lunch each day, and all camp activities.
How do I register?
Heritage Camp Registration will be available online by March 1. Class sizes may be limited and registrations are accepted on a first come, first served basis. The registration deadline is April 1. Some years, we allow late registration between April 1 and May 1, for an addition fee of $50.00 per child. In order to allow time for volunteers to make this a quality experience for our children, we cannot permit registrations after May 1.
Do I need to be a member of FFIC to attend Heritage Camp?
Yes, but you don't need to do anything special. We'll sign you up automatically when you register for Camp. And you're welcome to join FFIC any time to get on our mailing list for future camp updates. Become a FFIC Member, click here.
How do I become a volunteer?
Many volunteers are needed to make Heritage Camp a success, and some jobs begin for the next year as soon as camp is over! You may contact the Heritage Camp Co-Directors with your questions and requests to volunteer at any time during the year. Or, you may choose to wait and fill out the volunteer registration form along with your child’s Heritage Camp Registration. All volunteers must have state background checks performed to be eligible to hold a camp volunteer position. Teens may apply to volunteer if they are above Teen Camp age (going into 10th grade or older) and by submitting the appropriate application and references.
Will I be able to volunteer in my child’s classroom?
Many volunteers are placed in their child’s classroom, but the safety and well-being of campers and the needs of the camp as a whole are always the first priority in making these types of decisions. The registration and volunteer coordinators do their best to ensure that ever volunteer is placed in a position they will enjoy and where they will feel comfortable.