Beijing Summer Camp 2007

Report No. 7: Farewell

by Chuck Johnson, NCFA, August 22

Despite a full agenda and feeling the full effects of keeping up with 30 adolescents, it really is hard to believe that we have reached the end of our trip. Tomorrow, the West Coast group will leave the hotel at 6 am Beijing time and begin their long journey home. The East Coast group will pack up and leave at noon for a 3:45 departure time.

The campers organized a committee this afternoon and made a well-reasoned appeal to us chaperones to allow them to remain together throughout the night for one last night together. They agreed to be quiet and remain on the 4th and 5th floors, so we agreed. I think this speaks to the bonds that so many of them have formed over the past nine days.

We had one last fling tonight at the Ministry of Civil Affairs that included a closing ceremony and dinner. Minister Li, the ranking member and head of the MCA hosted. He has a very strong personal connection to adoption, which he communicated to us very eloquently. Several of campers performed dances, gave speeches, sang, and played the piano. Many tears were shed on the bus drive back to the hotel. I can't imagine what tomorrow morning will be like.

Parents, I do want to say this: your children did you proud. They were the perfect ambassadors for adoption, and I am very thankful for the opportunity to get to know them.

I was required to give another speeches tonight. Here is the text of my remarks:

"Nine days ago, thirty excited children and five chaperones arrived in Beijing wondering what the next ten days would hold. We were gifted with ten full days of cultural exploration, sightseeing, and shopping - highlighted by visits to the home of a typical Chinese family and to the children’s home. Despite a busy schedule and a tired body, it is hard to believe that we are approaching the end of our visit.

This has been an unforgettable experience for all of us and our leaving will be bittersweet. In some ways, we are anxious to return home to our families, our friends, and to our lives back home. On the other hand, we must say goodbye to new friends, knowing that there is still so much of China to explore and even more to learn. I have heard many campers express a desire to return to China again, and I wish for each of them this opportunity.

I’ve watched the campers reconnect to their mother country and enthusiastically learn about their culture of origin, and I am convinced that all of the children have felt the love that this country still has for them. To the campers I say that I am proud of you, just as I know your family is proud of you – and I trust that you sense the pride that China has in your happiness and success that you have achieved in the United States.

On behalf of the all of the campers, I would like to say thank you to the China Ministry of Civil Affairs and to the CCAA for your most generous offer to participate in this camp. Mr. Lu, you and your staff planned a perfect camp. Thank you Mr. Ji, Mr. Wan, and the team of support staff that was assembled to make this camp run so flawlessly. Thank you Jenny, Amanda, Jessie, Laura, Vivian, Cecilia, Dr. Daniel and everyone else who worked so hard and invested yourself into each of us.

One thing is clear to me: all of you love children and want the very best for them. And I would like to thank Gongzhan, Kathy, Pam, and Kyle for their hard work, too. Thank you to their employers: The Gladney Center, Small World Adoption, and Harmony Adoption for allowing them time away from the office to participate.

The National Council for Adoption is an adoption education, advocacy, and research group working to finding “families for all.” Just like many in this room, NCFA works to improve the quality of a child’s life by advocating for them a permanent and loving family through adoption. Our staff has traveled across the United States and in many places in the world with this message: “Adoption is good for children.”

The world recognizes China’s commitment to intercountry adoption and no one in this room needs to be convinced of the benefits of adoption. But for those who are less familiar with adoption , I can give you thirty of the best examples of what adoption can accomplish.

Campers, please stand.

On behalf of the National Council for Adoption, thank you for allowing us to partner with you. And please know that we are ready and willing to do this again next year and hopefully for many years to come."

Chuck Johnson

Learn more about the camp

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About the Initiative Humanitarian Programs Cultural Resources Post-Adoption Services Adopting From China Family Stories About the Gladney Fund Press Links	Beijing Summer Camp 2007 Report No. 7: Farewell by Chuck Johnson, NCFA, August 22 Despite a full agenda and feeling the full effects of keeping up with 30 adolescents, it really is hard to believe that we have reached the end of our trip. Tomorrow, the West Coast group will leave the hotel at 6 am Beijing time and begin their long journey home. The East Coast group will pack up and leave at noon for a 3:45 departure time. The campers organized a committee this afternoon and made a well-reasoned appeal to us chaperones to allow them to remain together throughout the night for one last night together. They agreed to be quiet and remain on the 4th and 5th floors, so we agreed. I think this speaks to the bonds that so many of them have formed over the past nine days. We had one last fling tonight at the Ministry of Civil Affairs that included a closing ceremony and dinner. Minister Li, the ranking member and head of the MCA hosted. He has a very strong personal connection to adoption, which he communicated to us very eloquently. Several of campers performed dances, gave speeches, sang, and played the piano. Many tears were shed on the bus drive back to the hotel. I can't imagine what tomorrow morning will be like. Parents, I do want to say this: your children did you proud. They were the perfect ambassadors for adoption, and I am very thankful for the opportunity to get to know them. I was required to give another speeches tonight. Here is the text of my remarks: "Nine days ago, thirty excited children and five chaperones arrived in Beijing wondering what the next ten days would hold. We were gifted with ten full days of cultural exploration, sightseeing, and shopping - highlighted by visits to the home of a typical Chinese family and to the children’s home. Despite a busy schedule and a tired body, it is hard to believe that we are approaching the end of our visit. This has been an unforgettable experience for all of us and our leaving will be bittersweet. In some ways, we are anxious to return home to our families, our friends, and to our lives back home. On the other hand, we must say goodbye to new friends, knowing that there is still so much of China to explore and even more to learn. I have heard many campers express a desire to return to China again, and I wish for each of them this opportunity. I’ve watched the campers reconnect to their mother country and enthusiastically learn about their culture of origin, and I am convinced that all of the children have felt the love that this country still has for them. To the campers I say that I am proud of you, just as I know your family is proud of you – and I trust that you sense the pride that China has in your happiness and success that you have achieved in the United States. On behalf of the all of the campers, I would like to say thank you to the China Ministry of Civil Affairs and to the CCAA for your most generous offer to participate in this camp. Mr. Lu, you and your staff planned a perfect camp. Thank you Mr. Ji, Mr. Wan, and the team of support staff that was assembled to make this camp run so flawlessly. Thank you Jenny, Amanda, Jessie, Laura, Vivian, Cecilia, Dr. Daniel and everyone else who worked so hard and invested yourself into each of us. One thing is clear to me: all of you love children and want the very best for them. And I would like to thank Gongzhan, Kathy, Pam, and Kyle for their hard work, too. Thank you to their employers: The Gladney Center, Small World Adoption, and Harmony Adoption for allowing them time away from the office to participate. The National Council for Adoption is an adoption education, advocacy, and research group working to finding “families for all.” Just like many in this room, NCFA works to improve the quality of a child’s life by advocating for them a permanent and loving family through adoption. Our staff has traveled across the United States and in many places in the world with this message: “Adoption is good for children.” The world recognizes China’s commitment to intercountry adoption and no one in this room needs to be convinced of the benefits of adoption. But for those who are less familiar with adoption , I can give you thirty of the best examples of what adoption can accomplish. Campers, please stand. On behalf of the National Council for Adoption, thank you for allowing us to partner with you. And please know that we are ready and willing to do this again next year and hopefully for many years to come." Chuck Johnson Learn more about the camp Return to the updates index



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