PART I - What is Midwest Chinese Family Camp? [TOC]
* What is the mission of Chinese Family Camp?
- The Midwest Chinese Family Camp unites a multi-generational community of extended Chinese American families for a week of fun and recreation in a modern lakeside resort setting. We socialize, celebrate our culture and heritage, and learn from each other about being Chinese in America. Since 1958, our annual gatherings continually create and sustain deep and lifelong friendships that are truly priceless.Chinese Family Camp welcomes all families who would like to mix their interest in Chinese culture with the fun and recreation of a week-long "camp" set in the somewhat unrustic environment of an Indiana resort hotel. From the early years when Oakwood Park still had primitive cabins through today, the goal of Camp has been to foster a positive image and understanding of the special circumstances of Chinese families - grandparents, parents, and children, blended families, adoptive families - living in or having connections to the American Midwest.
* Who attends Family Camp? How many?
- People of all ages attend Family Camp, usually with relatives. Their connections to China vary from direct to indirect. There are singles and couples who come without children, although most adults are parents or grandparents. Typically 75-90 people attend during the week, with 100-110 people on the final weekend. New families make new friends quickly, especially the children.* Why do families return year after year?
- Some people have attended Family Camp since the 1960's. Others return when they become parents after skipping many years. Those who return find a sense of community that is both fun and comforting. It's a pretty good bargain for a resort vacation. Hard not to like that food is provided, organized activities are lead by dedicated volunteers, and there is plenty of time to talk and play with family and friends.* When is Family Camp?
- Usually the second week of August, Sunday evening to Sunday morning. In 2008 the dates are August 3-10. Activities start after dinner on August 3, and there is an informal breakfast on the morning of August 10 before most people start to leave. Although most people go to relax for the whole week, some only attend the final weekend. New families are encouraged to arrive before Friday in order to experience the Heritage and Arts and Crafts program held during the week.* How do I register?
- The registration form is available on the website. Or email the Registrar, Meimei Ma, at marzjjj @ bellsouth.net (remove spaces). The 2008 registration fee is $100-175 per family, depending on the postmark date. If you register after April 30, there is a cancellation fee of $50. After May 31, there is a late fee of at least $25. Contact the Director, Lawrence Wang at physmedmd2 @ aol.com (remove spaces) if you want to register in June or July.
PART II - What do you do at Chinese Family Camp? [TOC]
* What is the daily schedule?
- Typically, organized daily activities start at 7:30am and are essentially over by 10:00pm. In recent years, breakfast started at 8:00am, lunch at 12:00, and dinner at 5:30pm. The planned activities such as Arts and Crafts (all ages), sports, or the Chinese Heritage program run in the morning or afternoon for a couple hours. Group fun is scheduled every evening after dinner until about 9:30pm.* How are meals handled?
- Breakfasts and lunches are organized by Campers and served in Kimmel Hall. Group dinners are eaten buffet style in the main diningroom of Oakwood Inn. On Saturday, there is Chinese food for the Festival Banquet, which is held in the activity room at the Academy.* Is alcohol allowed? Is smoking allowed?
- Oakwood Park prohibits alcohol and/or drugs on the property. Smoking is not allowed in Oakwood owned buildings, on the waterfront, or on the playground.* What kinds of outdoor or sports activities are there?
- Oakwood Park has facilities for tennis, volleyball, softball, soccer, kite flying, fishing, and swimming in the lake. There is a shady playground with swings. Golf, bowling, and horseback riding are nearby. Usually a pontoon boat is rented for a day for use by everyone, including older kids who want to go tubing. Individual families may rent jet skis.* Where are indoor activities held?
- Most indoor activities are in a large room on the upper floor of the Academy building, which is a short walk up the hill from the hotel. Seniors can get a ride. Round tables are available for arts and crafts, reading, playing games, and eating evening snacks. Some campers bring laptops. An inkjet printer is available as a Camp resource. WiFi is available at the hotel and in the Academy.* Is there a place to swim?
- Swimming in Lake Wawasee is available during daylight hours. There are swimming piers next to the hotel with ladders into the water. The water is 3-5 feet deep near the shore and there is no beach. Small waves are generated from boat wakes. Sometimes an indoor pool at a nearby hotel is rented one morning or afternoon for a group swim. It's a good idea to bring your own large towels.* What languages are spoken?
- The primary language is English. Grandparents and a few others speak Chinese, mostly Mandarin, amongst themselves. Most of the American-born Chinese adults and children do not speak Chinese.* Who is in charge of activities?
- Family Camp is run completely by volunteers. Lawrence Wang is the Director. There are dedicated people in charge of Arts and Crafts, the Chinese Heritage Program, Evening Activities, Group Sports, Snacks, and so on. A number of volunteers have helped out at Camp for many years, following a family tradition started by their parents.* Are group activities required?
- No, all activities are optional. Some parents who want to play golf--or shop or nap--are able to find a baby sitter for young children amongst other parents or older teens. There is no credit for meals missed. There are no fees for Family Camp activities at Oakwood. Some off-site activities such as golf require separate payment.
PART III - Where, How Much, and Other Questions [TOC]
* How much does attending Family Camp cost? What is covered?
- For a family of four with two children over age 3, the cost for lodging and meals is about $1400 for the entire week. An adult coming alone for just a few days pays about $130 per day, less if they can share a room with someone. Children under age 3 eat free, and those age 3-10 pay half price for meals. Most group activities are included. Some off-site activities such as golf require separate payment. The registration fee is applied to the total bill, which is provided during Camp. The balance is paid at Oakwood. CFC can only accepts checks, no credit cards.* Where is Family Camp held? Where do people stay?
- Beginning in 2002, Family Camp returned to Oakwood Park on Lake Wawasee in Syracuse, Indiana. The drive to northeast Indiana is 2-4 hours from the Chicago area, southern Michigan, southern Indiana, or Ohio. Lodging is either in the Oakwood Inn (a resort hotel), Kimmel Hall Retreat House (see below for details), or in an air-conditioned cabin designed for 8-12 people, or one of the Oakwood rental cottages (size and price vary). People who fly can go to Chicago, Ft. Wayne, or South Bend.* Do I have to stay at Oakwood Park?
Traditionally everyone stays at one of the lodging options at Oakwood Park unless not enough space is available. If you would like to stay elsewhere nearby, please contact the Director or the Registrar.* What is Kimmel Hall?
- The Kimmel Hall Retreat House is a separate, air-conditioned, two-story building that has 12 bedrooms upstairs and common areas on the lower level. The rental price is for the entire building. Each room has a water closet toilet and a sink in the room, but no phone. There are men's and women's showers at either end of the building. Most rooms have twins beds, a few have one double bed, and one has a double bed and a twin bed. Using stairs is required to reach the upper level. The common areas include a restaurant-style kitchen, a large dining/social area, and a sitting area with couches near the front door and stairs.* What are the differences between hotel rooms and rooms in Kimmel?
- The hotel is a three-story resort hotel with daily maid service and amenities, including an elevator. Hotel rooms have magcard doorkeys, luxury beds, private bath, cable TV, phone with voice mail, a small refrigerator, and optional WiFi. Rooms in Kimmel are more like dormitory rooms. They do not have separate keys. Doors can be locked from the inside.* What are the differences between a hotel room and a cabin?
- Hotel rooms have either 2 queen beds or a queen bed and a sofa sleeper, cable TV, phone with voice mail, a small refrigerator, tub/shower, and daily maid service. WiFi connectivity is available for a daily fee if you bring your laptop. Lake swimming and the dining room are at the hotel. Cabins sleep 10-12, split into two sleeping rooms (mostly bunk beds), with two large bathrooms (dorm-style, 2 toilets, 3 sinks, shower or tub), a large common room, and full kitchen. Each cabin has one phone with voice mail. The cabins are right next to the Academy building. Both the hotel and cabins are air-conditioned. (Back in the early days, the cabins were not air-conditioned.) There is a coin washer and dryer in the hotel.* What is the difference between a cabin and a cottage?
- A cabin is one of a group of eight cabins built above the Academy and are relatively new compared to the cottages. Cabins have central air-conditioning and most have dorm-style bathrooms, meaning four toilets and six sinks. Cabins can be reserved for Family Camp and you request one using the Registration Form. Cabins are all the same price, $1260 for a week in 2008 or $180 per night. In contrast, cottage prices vary from $550 to $1500 and can only be rented for a full week. Except for #90, the Oakwood cottages have window air-conditioner units and limited bathrooms. For example, #83 has 3 bedrooms, sleeps 6, has 1 bathroom, and costs $700 for a week. Cottages are first-come, first-served and not reserved for Family Camp or any other group. To reserve a cottage, you must contact Oakwood directly and pay a 50% deposit that is non-refundable.* Are the cabins all the same?
- Not quite. In particular, there are different layouts for the beds. Cabins 1-4 have 2 bunk beds and a single bed on each side, plus a futon in the common room, for a total of 11. Cabins 6-7 have one room with 3 bunk beds while the other has a bunk bed, a queen bed, and a rollaway, plus a sofa sleeper in the common room, so the maximum is 12. Cabin 8 has 3 bunk beds on each side, plus a sofa sleeper in the common room, for a total of 13. These are the cabins used most often by Family Campers.* What is teen lodging?
- Some years, there is a lodging option for teenagers only, if they are interested and have their parents' permission. The cost is usually shared by the parents. Whether or not there is teen lodging depends on how many teens are interested, as well as the availability of adults willing to serve as houseparents. Beginning in 2007, Kimmel was the teen lodging for those interested. Please notify the Registrar if you are interested in teen lodging.* Can a teenager attend without parents?
- Yes, a teenager may make arrangements with the Director to attend without a parent. An adult sponsor must agree to be responsible for the teen. The teen may stay in teen lodging, if available, or share a hotel room.* Do people bring babies or toddlers?
- Yes, babies and toddlers are welcome with the rest of their family. The Oakwood dining room staff are very accomodating with young guests. A stroller is recommended.* Is Family Camp for Christians only?
- - No. Although Oakwood Park is a Methodist retreat, Family Camp activities have no specific orientation to any religion.* Is a car required during Camp?
- As long as all family members can walk 5-10 minutes, a car is not necessary during Camp. Some seniors use a wheelchair to make it easier to get from the hotel to the Academy building. Most activities are at Oakwood Park. Rides are arranged for off-site activities such as golf or bowling. Most families have a car because they live within driving distance of Syracuse. There is plenty of free parking near the hotel or cabins.