Elisabeth Kang and her husband George are both dental health professionals, originally from Oregon, US. They’re recent arrivals in Beijing, where they work for United Family Healthcare. Their two older sons, Niko (aged 16) and Dante (14) attend Yucai Middle and High School, while the youngest, Baron, goes to Yucai Primary School.
Did you go to a summer camp yourself as a child? If so, what was your experience like?
As a child, I went to YMCA sleep away camps. These were outdoorsy type of camps that we could learn how to get up to the sound of a bugle, sleep in cabins, sing by the campfire and play mud soccer and capture the flag. The YMCA camps let me experience life without my parents and get my nails dirty. I also attended German language camp in the southern part of Germany where my father came from; a month-long immersion course during my high school summer break. I highly recommend this kind of camp for children of mixed families. I learned a lot of language skills that summer so much that even today I can recall needed vocabulary to order a beer.
How did you choose a summer camp for your children? What factors did you consider?
When choosing camps for my kids, it usually had educational priorities. I’ve sent them to zoo camps, chess camps, sports camps, and so on. I would also use camps as a way to secretly research schools. If I wasn’t satisfied with the current school my son was attending then I’d look at a potential school I did like and sign them up for whatever spring/winter/summer week-long camp was available. During that week I had full access to the school campus to see what the teachers and school culture were like. Many times I’d “upgrade” schools during the following year as I had found a better school to fit my family’s needs.
The most impactful camps I’ve chosen were month-long language camps, one in Guangzhou at a private Chinese school, the other at a university in Taipei. These were amazing camps. All of my children had already been attending international Chinese immersion schools in America since preschool, but immersion camps boosted their fluency by huge strides. They also were able to experience the culture of their grandparents and be around people that looked as they did. These kinds of camps can help multiracial kids feel close to their roots and build confidence when learning a second language.
What did your children learn from the experience? Did they change in any way as a result of the experience?
The boys would complain at first when they went to Chinese language camps. It wasn’t as exciting as a ziplining scuba diving camp that they could take pictures of, and share their glamorous vacation on Instagram. These days, the boys seem to remember the fun parts of the camps, to my surprise. I’ll admit I bribed them with pizza dinners and gallons of ice cream, and many nights I wondered if it was the right decision to invest in such an adventure. These days, I think I’m so thankful we had the opportunity. My eldest told me once “I’m Chinese, mama, and can speak Chinese.” He told me that after a year attending a predominantly non-Asian international school and telling me he wanted to look like the others. When he told me he was proud of what he learned and his heritage, I knew it was the best decision to send the kids to the language camps.
What advice would you give to a parent thinking of sending their child to a summer camp?
If you’re interested in doing this for your children, get ready to carve out a whole lot of time to research, plan, and go along with them. I booked an Airbnb close to the metro and camp, to save money and commute time. After that, we would visit a nice pool to unwind and then enjoy local cuisine; another reward for working their young brains every day.
Qian Lv is editor-in-chief at a publishing house, where her husband also works. Their 9-year-old daughter Ranran has already seen much of the world traveling with her parents. As she’s grown older, they’ve started sending her to camps to develop her independence and so she can make new friends.
Did you go to a summer camp yourself as a child? If so, what was your experience like?
I went to summer camps in the third year of primary school, the second year of middle school, and the second year of high school. It was unforgettable and fun. The first time we went to Yuxi lake in Beijing. It felt like I traveled a long way, but actually, it’s not very far – Beijing has changed a lot! I was a little nervous then and inhaled water while swimming. That made me afraid to swim for a long time. The second time, in middle school, I was really excited. I learned how to dance to disco from classmates. The third time was the most fun. It was organized by the school and it taught us about farming. We grew pine trees and helped in the kitchen. The cucumber slices were so delicious! At a party, the girls performed “Weave Flower Basket” (a folk song from Henan), while the boys performed a drama. The performances were vivid.
How did you choose a summer camp for your child? What factors did you consider?
Firstly, her interest, because she can enjoy it only if she likes it. I respect her choice. Second, focus on her strong points, like drawing camps. Third, the enjoyment and practicality of the course. Fourth, the organization’s brand, faculty, and security. Fifth, continuity, sixth, cost.
What did your child learn from the experience? Did she change in any way as a result of the experience?
She has increased her knowledge, gained confidence, and learned to be friendly with her peers. She has changed a lot. When she was younger, she didn’t like to talk. She retreated every time when facing problems. When she began to participate in activities, she didn’t like taking the initiative when it came to communication. With the increasing number of experiences and the influence and encouragement of her peers, she has become optimistic and confident. She made a lot of friends. In these relationships, there will also be some small conflicts, but it lets the children learn to understand and tolerate. In addition, the scenery and folk customs of different regions and countries opened her eyes and stimulated her further interest in learning. For example, before she went to the UK, she saw England as a gloomy country from the movies and she didn’t like it much. After she came back, she told us that she loved it there. She loved the changeable weather, the different lifestyle, the grassy lawns, beautiful school, humorous teachers, interesting soccer class, and the quiet life in the town. She mentioned this experience a lot in her later writing and reading activities.
Chinese children are often the only child in their home. After school, they have few opportunities to communicate with their peers. They long for friends. In the camp, they eat together, live together, have lessons, play, help each other, learn from each other, suffer setbacks, tolerate each other, cooperate with each other… It is a very valuable opportunity to learn.
What advice would you give to a parent thinking of sending their child to a summer camp?
Sending children to summer camp is also a test for parents. Although all kinds of worries can’t be avoided, it is still very pleasing for parents to see what their kids gain from the activity. It is well worth it. You should choose high-quality courses, run by credible organizations and teachers, and then give your children a chance to go away.
Photos: Courtesy of Elisabeth Kang and Qian Lv
This article appeared on p42-43 of beijingkids April 2018 issue
