Schools:Northern California:Families with Children from China:Adoption Support Group

The following partial list is provided for information only. No endorsement by FCC is implied by inclusion in this bulletin. Contact individual parties to see if classes are being offered.

In addition, the Association of Northern California Chinese Schools offers a listing of schools in various locations. See http://www.anccs.org/00/school-list.htm for a complete list.

Bilingual Day Schools
The following preschools and grade schools offer full-day programs with Chinese immersion constituting 50 percent or more of the curriculum. If you would like to be an FCC contact person for a bilingual school, please contact the website coordinator.

For more information, a table summarizing what some of the schools offer has been compiled.

Balboa Preschool, 521 Balboa Ave., San Francisco 94118, (415) 668-5877 Preschool for ages 2 through pre-K, bilingual English/Cantonese (though teachers are also fluent in Mandarin). FCC contact: Joy Schermer, JDSCHERMER@aol.com.

Chinese American International School, 150 Oak Street, San Francisco 94102, (415) 865-6000, http://www.cais.org/
Now in its 23rd year, CAIS offers a full-day English and Mandarin modified-immersion program that educates students for academic excellence, moral character and international perspective through immersion in American and Chinese culture and language. This pre-k through 8th grade independent school offers an unique education to a diverse student body where students acquire written and spoken fluency in both languages in an environment that encourages creative expression and personal responsibility. CAIS also offers a summer program featuring classes and educational field trips. FCC contacts include Anna Schmitz ASJCW@aol.com , Amy Klatzkin amyk@alumni.stanford.org, and Wendy Robushi wrobushi@aol.com, among a growing number of others.

Cupertino Language Immersion Program (CLIP) Cupertino
A Cupertino Union School District alternative program for students in kindergarten through 8th grade. District residents are given priority, but out-of-district families are welcome to attend tours, orientation and register their children. Classroom tours and an orientation are offered in Jan. and Feb. of each year at Meyerholz Elementary School in San Jose. Info: Leslie Kornblum, Recruitment Coordinator, jpmoms@pacbell.net

International School of the Peninsula, 151 Laura Lane, Palo Alto, CA 94303, http://www.istp.org/
Admissions Information: (650) 251-8504
The International School of the Peninsula (ISTP) has a bilingual Mandarin Chinese and English program for students in Nursery through 8th grade. Our mission is to provide a challenging academic curriculum through a dual language immersion program within a nurturing multi-cultural environment. We accept children in nursery (age 3), pre-kindergarten (age 4), and kindergarten (age 5) with no language background in Mandarin Chinese. For a complete list of Information Nights and Campus Tours go to: http://www.istp.org/admissions/events_tours.html
FCC parent contact: Linda Park yuanning@pacbell.net or lpharmony@yahoo.com, Andrea Chan achan@slac.stanford.edu

New World Child Development Center, 730 E. Homestead Rd., Sunnyvale 94087, (408) 255-5330, www.newworldcdc.com
A new bilingual (Mandarin/English) preschool. FCC contact: Nancy Lourié Markowitz, nlaurie@aol.com.

Pacific Rim International School, 5521 Doyle St., Emeryville 94608, (510) 601-1500; also 454 Peninsula Ave., San Mateo
Full-day bilingual multicultural Montessori programs with English and Mandarin instruction for ages 18 months through 12 years (sixth grade). FCC contact: Teresa Friend TFriend01@hotmail.com

Presidio Knolls School, 2733 Lombard Street, San Francisco, CA 94123, Phone 415.292.9889
Mandarin Immersion, Ages: 2-5, Hours: M-F 7:30AM to 6:00 PM
www.presidioknolls.org, email: wendy @ presidioknolls.org or info@presidioknolls.org

San Francisco Unified School District-Public Chinese Language Immersion Schools:

1) Starr King Elementary School, 1215 Carolina St, San Francisco, CA 94107, Phone: (415) 695-5797
Mandarin Immersion. FCC contact: Joanne Hurley jhurley0610@hotmail.com

2) Alice Fong Yu Alternative Elementary School, 1541 12th Ave., San Francisco, CA 94122, (415) 759-2764
West Portal School, 5 Lenox Way, SF 94127, (415) 759-2846
Cantonese immersion for grades K-5. Open to SF residents only; follow the SFUSD Optional Enrollment Request (OER) procedure. FCC contact: Linda James, (415) 285-3266.

Sunnyvale KinderCare center, 1155 E. Argues Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Knowledge Learning Corporation is the parent company to close to 2,000 childcare centers nationwide, including KinderCare and Knowledge Beginnings. We’re excited to announce that beginning this February 2008 we’re launching a Mandarin Immersion program in our Sunnyvale KinderCare center: Sunnyvale KinderCare Preschool Mandarin Immersion Program. Contact: Center Director Mandy Cummando at 408-245-3276 or Jennifer Ewell <JEwell@klcorp.com>

Wah Mei Preschool,1440 Judah St., San Francisco (665-4212), http://www.wahmei.org/
This school has over 25 years of bilingual (Cantonese/English) education for preschoolers. Ages 2.9 - 5. Morning, afternoon and full-day programs. Equal emphasis is given to both languages, with the goal of all children becoming fluent in both languages, regardless of their first language. FCC contact: Julie McDevitt at 647-4778 or sfmcdevitt@hotmail.com.

Yew Chung International School, 310 Easy Street, Mountain View, CA 94043, 650-90-0986, www.ycef.com, inquiry@ycef.com
Yew Chung International School (YCIS) prepares young people to participate fully in the global society. The campus in Mountain View, CA joins a robust network of bilingual Chinese/English day schools serving preschool through 12th grade children in Beijing, Hong King, Chongquing and Shanghai. Their proven curriculum and teaching method -- developed through 60 years of experience with thousands of children -- teaches in both Chinese and English languages in a school environment that fosters in each child a love of learning, respect for self and others, and a global perspective. The school welcomes FCC families and offers special training for teachers in issues surrounding adoption and schools. FCC contacts: Alexis Hamilton (alexis@hgpr.com)

After-School and Saturday School Chinese Classes

The following partial list is provided for information only of schools offering Chinese classes either after school or on weekends. No endorsement by FCC is implied. Contact individual parties to see if spring classes are being offered. For a complete list of the Association of Northern California Chinese Schools, see http://www.anccs.org/00/school-list.htm

Albany Beginning Mandarin Class Albany
Year-round class meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:15–4:15. Taught by native speaker with university degree in
education. $10/class with monthly sign-up. Info: ckabond@sbcglobal.net.

Albany Recreation Dept. Albany
Beginning and advanced beginning classes offered Tues. and Fri., late afternoon/early evening. Info: 510-524-9283.

Phoebe Chen’s Saturday Chinese Classes Berkeley
Phoebe Chen and Amy Kao’s classes have moved from the Albany Community Center to Epworth Methodist Church,
1953 Hopkins St., Berkeley. For ages 3 and up. Spring session begins April 1. Info: phoebechen@comcast.net or 925-
876-1148 or 925-283-8866.

Berkeley Chinese Community Church Chinese School Berkeley
Beginning and intermediate Mandarin for kindergarteners and elementary- and middle-schoolers, as well as adults.
Saturdays 2:00–4:00, Berkeley Chinese Community Church, 2117 Acton St. Info: www.chineseschool-bccc.com.

East Bay Chinese Culture and Language Class El Cerrito
Miaoyan Zhang teaches Chinese calligraphy, painting (brush and ink) and language on Saturday afternoons in his El Cerrito
home. These are fairly informal classes with the Chinese dialogue part running from 2 to 3 pm and the art from 3 to 4:30 (you can attend for either or both). Mr. Zhang also speaks Mandarin during the art class. E-mail Mr. Zhang at zhang_miaoyan@yahoo.com or call 510 232-8288 for more information.

CCAC Chinese School Pleasanton
Amador Valley High School, 1155 Santa Rita Rd. Sun. morning classes for pre-K through 10th grade. Also children’s choir, dance, drawing, martial arts, math, and Chinese musical instruments. Info: www.caccusa.org

Champion Youth Enrichment School, Mountain View. (408) 838-3333 Chinese/Mandarin after school enrichment program. We pick up K-8 students from local schools (Mt. View, Los Altos, Palo Alto, Sunnyvale and Cupertino). Daily: 1 hour Chinese, math/English enhancement & Park outdoors. Weekly: Art, Drawing, Soccer, Chess, KungFu, English Writing, Piano, Violin, Accordion, Tennis, Children Choir. School Location: 2094 Grant Rd. Mt. View 94040 Contact: yang_jane@yahoo.com for more information.

Chico Chinese School, Chico: Meets every Sunday from 1:30-2:300 p.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church, 285 E. Fifth St, Chico. Class fee is $5 per child per meeting with a semester commitment required. Focus is on the Mandarin language and the incorporation of Chinese culture. Classes are divided by age and language level. Open to the public. For more information, contact Dawn Campbell, wei03@telis.com.

Chinese Cultural Education Association (CCEA) Oakland
Chinese Cultural Education Association offers year-round Sunday afternoon, Friday morning and after-school Mandarin classes to children ages 2.5-11 years old. All classes in beautiful Lake Merritt United Methodist Church in Oakland. For more information on schedules, tuition and registration: www.cceanewsprouts.org

Cupertino Mandarin Immersion Program Cupertino
Opens to registrants outside the Cupertino school district. For students in kindergarten through 4th grade. Info: Sherry
Schmit, Recruitment Coordinator, 408-749-8188

Davis Chinese School, Davis: Meets in Room N-1, Davis Senior High School, 315 W. 14th St. For ages 5-18 with separate tracts for non-native and in-home Mandarin speakers. Meets Friday evenings from 7:00-9:00 p.m. with optional arts/crafts/other activities 9:00-9:30 p.m. Spring Semester is being held Feb 2, 2001-June 15, 2001. This school provides instruction in reading, writing and speaking Chinese to instill an appreciation and knowledge of Chinese customs and culture. Registration Fee $25 per semester waived for new students and returning students who meet the deadline registration date of June 9 (Fall) and December 1 (Spring). Tuition is $70 for the first child and $65 for each additional sibling and includes textbooks (some exceptions). For registration forms or additional information contact principal Grace Dahmus at (530) 753-2576 or Tsui Chang at (530) 753-0652.

Enlighten School, Los Altos: This small English/Chinese pre-school is located at 1919 Annette Lane, Los Altos, in the backyard of the teacher's home. One teacher speaks only English, and the other only speaks Mandarin to the children. There are twelve students ranging from 3 to 5 years in age. Three-, four- and five-day options with hours from 9 a.m.-noon. Call (650) 938-2473. Waiting List.

Fairfield Mandarin Class, Fairfield. A year round Chinese language school held 9:00 a.m.-11:15 a.m. for ages 4 ½-adult. Meets Saturdays at B. Gale Wilson Elementary School, 3301 Cherry Hills Court, Fairfield and is sponsored by the Chinese American Association of Solano County. Fee is $170/year (materials included). For more information call (707) 421-5255.

Folsom Chinese School Folsom
Sutter Middle School, 715 Riley St. Fri. evening Mandarin classes for K through adults. Also classes in Chinese abacus, mental math, music, dance, drawing, etc. Info: www.folsomchineseschool.org.

Fun Mandarin Learning Center
www.funmandarin.com
Through songs, games, body movements, stories, arts & crafts, and hands-on activities, you will find Mandarin is such an easy language to learn. You will be immersed in a relaxed atmosphere with our native experienced teachers in a small group. You can explore the amazing history of China, its ancient literature, culture and traditions. Besides the regular classes, Tracy Chang provides private one to one and small group Mandarin classes for children and adults.

Hwa Shin Chinese School, Palo Alto. Chinese Saturday Classes.
Top-quality staff with years of experience in teaching Chinese language and culture. Diversified activities such as reading, writing, conversing, calligraphy, painting, storytelling & singing, etc. Small Class Size (16 maximum). Non-Chinese speaking students welcome. Encourage parents’ participation.
Jordan School: Saturday morning from 9AM – 11AM, starting Sept 10,2005
Jordan Middle School, 750 N. California Ave., Palo Alto, CA
Addison School : Thursday from 2:30PM –4:00PM , starting Sept. 8,2005
Addison Elementary School, 650 Addison Ave., Palo Alto, CA
Classes open for students from age 5 to 15 (from pre-kindergarten to 9th grade)
For school information, please call : Phyllis Lee at 650-948-2057 or Vivian Loh at 650-325-2877, www.hwashinschool.org, email: hwashinschool@yahoo.com

International School of the Peninsula Palo Alto
The school offers evening Mandarin classes for adults and after-school classes (beginning and intermediate) for children.
Info: BeatriceBergemont@istp.org, 650-251-8519, or visit www.istp.org.
Chinese Culture Class Sunnyvale
Chinese culture class for 3–5 year olds meets every other Sunday afternoon during the school year for Mandarin, songs,
and crafts in a developmentally appropriate curriculum. Classes are held at New World Child Development Center. Info:
Wilma Chu, wilmachu@aol.com or 408-732-7776.

Keystone Chinese School Albany
Offers Sat. morning Mandarin classes for grades K–12 at Albany Middle School. Terms begin in Jan. and Sept. Info: www.keystonechinese.org.

Lafayette Chinese class, Lafayette
For children ages 6 - 9 years old starting the second week of January 2007. It meets on Wednesdays from 4:30- 5:30pm. If you are interested please contact Phoebe Chen at phoebechen@comcast.net

Language in Action Mandarin Immersion Preschool San Francisco
This school in the Cow Hollow neighborhood has openings for children ages 2–5. It also offers after-school and Sat. classes for K–3rd grade. Info: www.languageinaction.com, 415-440-4652, or info@languageinaction.com.

Leading Into Learning Institute (LILI)
LILI is a research-based organization that focuses on enhancing the way that individuals learn based on their learning styles. LILI offers After School Programs, Chinese Programs, and has multiple locations available for classes or tutoring. Please contact Dr. Li Li at 707.849.6980 or lili@drlili.org, for a location close to you.

Mandarin for Children 2–3 and 3–6 San Francisco
Learn Chinese through stories, songs, and crafts. Classes for toddlers (2–3) with parents Sat. 8:40–9:35 and 9:50–10:45. Classes for preschoolers (3–6) Sat. 8:40–9:35, 9:50–10:45, and 3:00–5:00. Miraloma Community Church, 480 Teresita Blvd. Info: www.acesf.org or Carol Lei at clei@adjunctfaculty.com or 415-469-0195.

Marin County Chinese Classes Marin
Taught by Linda Guo (Chinese native, Bachelor’s degree in Applied Chinese, International Trade and Economics from
JiangNan University in China). Info: Linda at 415-479-3883.

New World Child Development Center Walnut Creek
This preschool (with another center in Sunnyvale) is expanding its Mandarin program for ages 2–5. Info: 925-939-1688.

Pacific Rim Mandarin/Japanese/English Montessori Program, San Mateo: Preschool/Elementary School affiliated with the Pacific Rim School in Emeryville. Children of several area adoptive families attend. (650) 685-1881.

Palo Alto - Chinese School: Weekend Chinese school meeting at JLS Middle School, Palo Alto on Friday nights, http://www.paloaltochineseschool.org/

Pickleweed Community Center Mandarin Classes San Rafael
New classes for kids 4–6, 7–9, and 10–12, taught by Jessie Liu and Jih-Ling Chiou. The community center is at 50 Canal St. Info: San Rafael Community Services, 415-485-3077.

Pleasant Hill (Diablo Valley): Chinese is being offered at DVC (Diablo Valley College) in Pleasant Hill this summer for grades 4-6 through their College for Kids program. First session is June 22-July 8th and the second session is July 13-29. Cost is $50.00 for a 50 minute class 3 times a week, plus there are many other courses to register for too. For more information, call 925-685-1093 or http://www.dvc.edu/college for kids

Sacramento FCC Mandarin Cultural Playgroup - Fall 2007
The Sacramento region of the Northern California Families with Children from China (FCC) announces its Fall 2007 session for children 3 to 8. Children will be led in Chinese song, basic Mandarin instruction, simple craft making, and learn about Chinese festivals and customs. The class will be limited to 25 children (first come, first served) between the ages of 3 and 8 years divided into groups by age. Participating families are requested to be members of FCC.

The sessions will be one and one-half hours long and held on:
Sept 22, Oct 6, Oct 20, Nov 3, Nov 17, Dec 1.
Location: Classes at Chinese Community Church, 5600 Gilgunn Way, Sacramento on the corner of Fruitridge and Gilgunn.
Time: 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Cost: $60/ child for 6 sessions. Each additional sibling, add $50. The cost includes snacks, crafts and handouts. The fee is payable in advance.

See registration form. Payment due Sept. 17, 2007. Feel free to contact Carol Hammond at 916-443-7978 or cmhammond@sbcglobal.net with questions about the class before registering your child.

Sacramento - Great Wall Chinese School Sacramento
Mandarin and Cantonese. Info: http://www.cccea.org/Chinese_School/index.htm.

Sacramento - Wisdom Chinese School Sacramento
Mandarin and Cantonese classes held in various locations around Sacramento and Elk Grove, for children at all levels of fluency. The school also offers beginning Mandarin classes for adults with no Chinese-language background. Info:
http://wcs.sacramentochinese.org

San Francisco - Chinese Culture Center Mandarin Classes San Francisco
The Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco offers three sessions per year of Mandarin classes for adults and for children. The Chinese Culture Center is located at 750 Kearny St. (on the third floor of the Hilton Hotel) in the heart of San Francisco's Chinatown, where lots of wonderful Chinese cultural activities are always happening.
The 2007 Mandarin Classes will be held on ten Saturdays. Mandarin Learn and Play for 3- to 5-year-olds will be held from 10:00 am to 11:30 am on Saturdays. Michelle Chen, the children's teacher, is a native of China and is studying for an elementary education degree. She spent last summer as a teacher's assistant at Chinese American International School, helping and observing Mandarin immersion classes. Michelle brings excellent language teaching skills and fun age-appropriate projects to the children's Mandarin class. FOR INFORMATION ON FEES, REGISTRATION, AND ADULT CLASSES: See the Center's website at www.c-c-c.org or call Julie at the Center at (415) 986-1822.

San Francisco- ACE Mandarin Programs for Children and Parents San Francisco
Advocates for Chinese Education (ACE) offers Saturday Mandarin Play and Learn class for children ages from 2-7 and Mandarin Adult classes for parents in the Sunset and Parkside area in San Francisco. Our teachers are experienced preschool teachers who have more than twenty years of experience in teaching children both in China and in the U.S. Check our website at http://www.acesf.org/childrenclasses.htm for latest schedule and tuition. ACE also offers Mandarin Summer Camp and Afterschool Mandarin program. Please contact Ming Gu at ming@acesf.org for children's programs and Bing Wei at Bing@acesf.org for adult classes.
San Francisco - Mandarin Classes at St. Anne's Chinese School San FranciscoSt. Anne's Chinese School, 1330 14th Avenue , San Francisco, CA 94122, (415) 665-3929, Mrs. Jane Yu-ai Ko, director Saturday mornings 9AM to 12 noon ($50/month, discounts for more than one child enrolled, supplies and texts $50/year, and insurance fee $7/year). There is an afterschool program available also. Mandarin or Cantonese are available. For more information contact Laurie Brookner, LaurieBrookner@aol.com. Note that because this program is at a Catholic School/Church, there may be some Christian teaching in the Chinese language program.

San Ramon (Diablo Valley): Meets three Sundays a month from 10:30am to noon in San Ramon. Children age 6 and older learn Mandarin through conversation, song, arts and crafts, and play. Parents and children attend the same class and learn side-by-side. Cost is approximately $60 per month, with a two-month commitment required. For information, contact Nancy Southern, NlSouthern@aol.com, or Catherine Carrington, ccarrington@nasw.org

San Ramon Valley Chinese School San Ramon
Iron Horse Middle School, 12601 Alcosta Blvd. Sat. morning Mandarin classes at at all levels for age 4 and up. Also dance, chess, martial arts, math, and children’s choir. Info: www.srvchineseschool.org.

Santa Rosa Redwood Empire Chinese Association Chinese School: The school offers both Mandarin and Cantonese, has operated for many years, and offers cultural programs such as Lion Dance and Fan and other folk dancing. Also offered are summer culture and language camps. School contacts: Judy Cheung 707-528-0912 and Nancy Wang 707-576-0533. FCC Contact: Maisha Ruth, maishala@netzero.net.

Mandarin Classes Peninsula/South Bay
Check with Alexis Hamilton, alexis@hgpr.com, for courses offered this spring.

Stanford Chinese School, Palo Alto: Chinese School meets Sunday afternoons at Gunn High School, Palo Alto, http://www.mychineseschool.com/index.php

Sunnyvale - Chinese Culture Class Sunnyvale
Chinese culture class for 3–5 year olds meets every other Sunday afternoon during the school year for Mandarin, songs,
and crafts in a developmentally appropriate curriculum. Classes are held at New World Child Development Center. Info:
Wilma Chu, wilmachu@aol.com or 408-732-7776

Summer Culture Camps

Summer offers an ideal opportunity for our children—or the entire family—to brush up on language skills or learn more about Chinese culture. Following is a partial list of summer programs in Northern California, the western United States, and China. It is provided for information only; FCC does not endorse specific programs.

ACE Mandarin Immersion Summer Camp for children ages 4-7, San Francisco
ACE Mandarin Immersion Summer Camp is designed to children entering Kindergarten through 2^nd grade. This program will give them a unique opportunity to learn and improve their language skills in Mandarin through age appropriate them based classes and activities in Mandarin. The camp consists of six one-week sessions from June 16 to August 15. The basic program is from 9 am to 3 pm. The students participate in classes and activities that center around a specific theme, such as Chinese food, Chinese brush painting, Chinese folk songs and dances. Guest teachers and field trips are planned to enrich each themed session. All sessions including the extended care will be conducted in Mandarin. Our Mandarin Immersion Summer Camp is a small sized camp with 10 maximum students. Each student will get personalized treatment with love and care. Our goal for the program is to teach the children basic Mandarin communication skills while they are having fun with all kinds of hands-on activities and games. For a more detailed and complete curriculum, please contact Ming Gu at Ming@acesf.org or call her at 415-601-9939. or check our website at www.acesf.org Tuition $250 per session includes a daily snack but do not include lunch except Session 3 is $200

Chinese American International School (CAIS) Mandarin Camp, 150 Oak St., San Francisco. Two sessions: June 23–July 18 and July 21–Aug. 15. Programs for ages 3–5 and 6–13. Registration deadline is May 25. Children explore Chinese culture and language in this activity-based camp. Language acquisition is primarily through immersion-based activities such as singing, Chinese calligraphy, martial arts, Chinese dance, and arts and crafts. Info: http://www.cais.org/download/SummerBrochure2008.pdf or contact Kevin Lee, k_lee@cais.org, 415-865-6010.

Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy, Menlo College, Menlo Park, June 26–July 28. Overnight boarding camp, full Mandarin immersion. Info: http://www.mmla.middlebury.edu/program_details/chinese.html or 802-296-2459.

PACT Camp for Adoptive Families of Color, Redwood Glen Camp, Loma Mar, July 12–18. Meet other adoptive families of color and learn about race and adoption while discovering the beauty of Northern California. Children discuss their experience of adoption and, where relevant, of being racially different from their parents. Info: http://www.pactadopt.org/events/camp.html.

Camp Rockin’ U (Holt), Dobbins, Aug. 3–7. For ages 9–16. Professionally trained staff of adult adoptees and people of color mentor campers through a week of outdoor activities and a curriculum focused on adoption, race, and identity. Info: www.holtintl.org/camp/ or contact Steve Kalb, stevek@holtinternational.org.

International School of the Peninsula Language Immersion Summer Camp, Palo Alto. Three two-week summer camp sessions, June 23–Aug. 1. For nursery school through 8th grade. Students participate in beginning or advanced language classes in the morning, art or sport activities in the afternoon. Info: http://www.istp.org/summercamp/index.html or contact Béatrice Bergemont, 650-251-8519 or BeatriceBergemont@istp.org.

Fusion Summer Program for Mixed-Heritage Youth, Redwood Day School, 3245 Sheffield Ave., Oakland, July 28–Aug. 8. For ages 7–12, with a particular focus on children who come from more than one cultural and/or racial community experience. The program facilitates self-discovery through activities such as visual and performance art, outdoor education, community service–learning, field trips, and student leadership activities. Info: http://www.fusionprogram.org/registration.php

Sacramento Chinese Culture Camp, McClatchy High School, 3066 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento, July 14–19. Sponsored by the Northern California Association of Chinese Schools and Wisdom Chinese School. For age 5 and up; not just for adoptive families (FCC families made up about 20% of the students in 2005). Non-Chinese siblings and friends welcome. In prior years, kids have learned folk dance, singing, crafts, cooking, kung fu, Chinese yo-yo, etc., and worked with Chinese and Chinese American teachers and classmates who are proud of their connection to China. Registration limited to 150 students, first come, first served. Info: www.wisdomchineseschool.org or call 916-769-1513 or email wisdom916@hotmail.com.

Yew Chung International School Summer Program, 310 Easy St., Mountain View, June 23–July 18. For children entering grades 1–5. This year’s theme is “Ocean Adventure.” Info: http://www.ycis-sv.com/Pages/Academic/Template.aspx?docID=2513&style=Document&MenuID=92 or ysicareal@gmail.com.

Camps in the Western U.S.

Denver International School. For ages 4–12. Series of week-long camps focus on having fun while learning Mandarin. Cultural activities, songs, crafts, sports, and field trips. Dates for 2008 are not yet available, but info can be requested at http://www.dischool.org/default.asp.

Holt Adoptee Camp, Corbett, Oregon, July 20–24. For ages 9–16. Offers a fun, safe environment in which international adoptees can share common experiences and learn about the culture, traditions, and history of their birth countries. Info: www.holtintl.org/camp/ or contact Steve Kalb, stevek@holtinternational.org.

Colorado Heritage Camps, Denver and Fraser, CO. CHC offers ten three- or four-day heritage camps, including two Chinese camps, Aug. 1–3 in Denver and Aug. 29–Sept. 1 in Fraser. For the entire family (age 3 and up). Asian American counselors serve as role models and mentors, participating with kids in cultural classes while adults attend cultural and adoption-related workshops. Info: www.heritagecamps.org/camps.html.

Camps in China

Mother Bridge of Love Family Exchange, Nanjing. One-, two-, and three-week family exchanges featuring cultural, educational, and sightseeing activities in and around the city, with an emphasis on contact with Chinese children and families. Info: visit www.motherbridge.org/picshow/default.asp.

Yew Chung International School–Beijing Summer School. Ages 8–13 and 14–18. Children learn Mandarin, experience Chinese culture, visit cultural sites in Beijing, travel to Inner Mongolia, and learn about ancient Chinese history. Info: www.ycef.com (click on “Special Programme” then “Summer School”).

Peking University Summer Chinese Language Program, June 23–Aug. 15. Intensive language study at all levels, plus excursions in and around Beijing. Info: May Hom, may@nanhai.com or 650-259-2120, or http://www.nanhai.com/pku_program.htm.

Hua Xia Institute of Cultural Exchange Cultural Immersion Programs, Shanghai. “Summer Fun in China” for ages 4–10 with parents: children and adults experience Chinese culture through hands-on activities and in the setting of ordinary Chinese families. “Buddy Program in China” for ages 11–18 and up, parent participation not required: teens from the U.S. and other countries become buddies with Chinese teens, participating in daytime activities with them and spending time with their families. Info: www.hxice.org (as of this writing, 2008 dates are not yet on the website).

updated 4 May, 2008