Camp Naru 2022

This year I joined Camp Naru as the Chief-of-Staff. Thank you to April Bang and Ben Oser for the opportunity to be a part of Camp Naru’s inaugural year. And of course, I am overjoyed to continue working with Program Coordinator Paige Bly.

I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such an incredible community of Korean Americans who share the vision and goal of creating a camp. Even though camp is only for a short period each year, we each make lasting relationships and powerful memories that stay with us for a long time after we return to our regular worlds.

Shout out and thank you to all Camp Naru staff members.

From the Camp Naru website:

Our mission is to equip our youth and future generations with an ability to navigate life as individuals and members of the Korean American community with a sense of belonging and rich cultural heritage.

We envision a world where kids and youth feel safe and celebrated for who they are with their distinct cultural and personal identity as they integrate and engage with other cultures.

Click here to learn more about Camp Naru

Sejong Camp 2022

I am beyond happy to return to Sejong Camp 2022 working with Camp Directors Joy Liberthal Rho and Benjamin Oser and Program Coordinator Paige Bly.

Thank you to Joy and Ben for your work and service as Camp Directors. You have been an important part of many young people’s lives. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a powerful experience these past few years and will always hold a love for Sejong Camp.

The mission of Sejong Cultural Education is "To foster a sense of Korean-American cultural identity for families formed by adoption, birth, marriage, or choice; through education, mentorship, and community building,” and camp is one dimension if this larger goal. To live and walk and learn and grow alongside Korean Americans who are embracing and celebrating their identities while thriving in a community that holds them, loves them, and cheers for them has been a powerful experience for me. Thank you to the camp directors, the camp staff, the counselors, and the families who make Sejong Camp the culture and community that loves us for who we are and who we hope to become.

Farewell Sejong Camp!

Click here to learn more about Sejong Cultural Education, Inc.

Sejong Camp 2021

This year I had the opportunity to work alongside Dean Kim as the Staff Coordinator for Sejong Camp 2021 with Camp Directors Joy Liberthal Rho and Benjamin Oser and Program Coordinator Paige Bly. Working with this phenomenal team has been an incredible and impactful experience for me.

The mission of Sejong Cultural Education is "To foster a sense of Korean-American cultural identity for families formed by adoption, birth, marriage, or choice; through education, mentorship, and community building,” and camp is one dimension if this larger goal. To live and walk and learn and grow alongside Korean Americans who are embracing and celebrating their identities while thriving in a community that holds them, loves them, and cheers for them has been a powerful experience for me. Thank you to the camp directors, the camp staff, the counselors, and the families who make Sejong Camp the culture and community that loves us for who we are and who we hope to become.

Click here to learn more about Sejong Cultural Education, Inc.

Click here to see the 2021 Staff Appreciation video (via Facebook)

Sejong Camp 2019

I had the opportunity to volunteer this summer for Sejong USA as a staff member for Sejong Culture Camp. This experience has been deeply meaningful and truly precious to me, and I will always be thankful for this amazing opportunity.

Special thanks to camp directors Joy Lieberthal Rho and Ben Oser. You make an inspiring team and I have loved learning with you and working with you this summer.

See the Staff Appreciation Video for a brief view of some of our fun times!

For an experience that defies words, check out the music video made by the Leading Ladies of the camp.

KAAN 2019

This was my second year attending KAAN (Korean American Adoptee Adoptive Family Network). KAAN is a national organization that supports Korean adoptees. This year’s conference took place in Minneapolis, MN.

This year’s keynote speaker was Nicole Chung who spoke about her experiences as a Korean-American adoptee and her recently published memoir, All You Can Ever Know.

The Korean adoptee community is an amazing place of strength and support, and I am grateful that I have made connections within this group who have helped me and healed me.

KAAN Conference 2018

I have made plans to attend the Korean American Adoptee Adoptive Family Network (KAAN) 2018 Conference. The conference will take place in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Since 1999, KAAN has provided annual conferences in the U.S. or Korea. These conferences are unique assemblies of Korean-born adoptees of all ages as well as family through birth, adoption or marriage, other Koreans and Korean-Americans, social workers, adoptees from other backgrounds, community leaders, and more. Through gathering together, we find what we have in common and where we can help one another.

Our conferences provide 30+ sessions on race and identity, family relationships, parenting tools, search and reunion, etc. Presenters include authors, educators, activists, therapists, and grassroots leaders. Each block includes an adoptee-only session as well as many choices open to all. Cultural and social activities are offered as well as vendors, exhibits, and film screenings.

Click here to learn more about KAAN.
Click here to read the KAAN 2018 Conference Program.