Story and Photos By TAM NGUYEN, Nguoi Viet
Summer isn’t officially summer until a camping trip is involved – and that is just what about 100 students did this weekend.
Campers waiting to board one of two buses heading to camp.
But it was about more than hiking and s’mores. Instead, this camping trip was about sharing Vietnamese culture, language and history with a generation that is slipping further away from its heritage.
A family banner begins to take shape.
The Union of Vietnamese Student Associations led the trip from Garden Grove, Calif., to Pathfinder Ranch in Mountain Center, Calif., a community in the San Jacinto Mountains. Two buses left Friday and returned Sunday. The campers all were in high school or recent graduates.
Before a weekend away together, campers meet the ‘family’ for the first time.
“The camp is hosted by UVSA, and it aims to provide Vietnamese American students with the knowledge and tools to become more effective leaders in their schools and community,” said Billy Le, the adviser of UVSA. “The camp also gives more information about our culture and history of Vietnam, giving the new generation knowledge that can help keep the culture alive.”
Staff members build a bridge as the students board the bus.
UVSA was founded in 1982 to organize events within the community, including the annual Tet Festival. With the camp, the group’s mission is to build unity with the students from high schools and colleges so they can serve the community throughout Southern California and Viet Nam.
Camp chairman Khanh Tran, center, makes sure last-minute details are addressed.
Once at their mountain destination, the campers took part in a variety of workshops. One, called “Chao Cac Ban,: was designed to teach the basics of Vietnamese language, culture and history. The group leaders nicknamed the workshop “Vietnamese 101.”
A second class, named “My Parents Are Dinosaurs,” was intended to teach campers to better understand their parents, as well as their elders’ background.
That was valuable to Tommy Tran, 15, a Garden Grove High School student.
“I know I don’t communicate a lot with my parents because of the language barrier but with this workshop, I have ideas to make it easier for myself and my parents,” he said.
Tuan “Bobby” Tran, 17, and a student at Fountain Valley High School, had praise for the programs, as well.
“I had little knowledge of our culture, and after the workshop I learned much more and understand our language a little more too,” he said.
Keynote speaker Matthew Nguyen, a self-taught poet, let the students know they are important in keeping Vietnamese traditions going in America.
“There is a lot of pressure for the next generation to carry on our culture because with the youth, the culture is fading,” he said.
Still, he encouraged them to go for their dreams – even if it isn’t what their parents have wanted for them.
“Never give up on your goals and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. Lastly, don’t ever think that your parents hate you for not becoming a doctor, lawyer or anything they want you to be. They will love you no matter what you do in life because nothing can replace you.”
The message resonated with the campers.
“After hearing Matthew, I have courage to do what pleases me and know my parents would support me no matter what — even though they don’t show it,” said Kimberly Ngo, 17, a La Quinta High School who aspires to a career as a veterinarian.
This camp marks the 11th such event, and the number of campers rises each year.
“When we first started we had about 20 campers and it grew from there,” said Liz Nguyen, 27, a UC Irvine graduate who serves as the camp chairman. “In high school I went to the same camp and instantly fell in love with the organization and decided to join after high school.”
Khanh Tran, 27, UC Irvine graduate, also became a member after high school. “UVSA supported my school and the clubs that I was in, and I liked the way UVSA helped us and wanted to do the same.”
Plus, the camp is still fun for the counselors.
“I made a new family of my own, and these kids are like my own,” said Emmy Thai, a group leader from UC Riverside.
