What is LID Camp?
LID Camp is an annual 5 day 4 night youth leadership and taiwanese cultural camp based in the southern california region.
LID Camp is led by second generation Asian Americans who strive to develop a community which fosters confidence and leadership development, as well as providing an environment for campers to discover more about their identity as Asian Americans. Our camp programming revolves around a new camp theme each year and strives to meet one or more of the following goals:
Develop leadership and communication skills.
Provide campers with a working knowledge and understanding of Taiwanese culture.
Cultivate self-confidence within campers and push them to continue to challenge themselves.
Give campers a place to explore their interests or discover something they are passionate about.
All campers entering grades 5 to 12 are eligible to attend camp. Although LID Camp is a Taiwanese culture camp, anyone of any ethnicity or background who has an interest in leadership development or Taiwanese culture is more than welcome and highly encouraged to sign up for camp.
LID Camp Environment
Small Groups
Campers are divided into their camper groups by age for the duration of camp. Each group is lead by two counselors who act as the mentors and guiding figures for the campers. The groups are each camper's family during camp and they participate in most workshops, clinics, games, or activities together. Each group is also given the opportunity to plan and perform a skit on the final night of camp during our Taiwan Night. The small group's main purpose is to give campers an opportunity to develop friendships and foster teamwork and communication skills.
Staff Members
Staff members form the backbone for the camp programming. Staff work behind the scenes to create the environment for counselors to mentor their campers in. Beyond doing workshop setup and supervision, staff members also act as role models and mentors for campers. Like counselors, staff members are composed of college students and working professionals who share the goal of providing a fun and memorable experience for campers. Staff members strive to provide a safe place for campers to discover themselves.
Counselors
Counselors serve as the leaders and guiding figures of their camper groups. Counselors take part in workshops and activities with their campers and help manage them during day to day activities. They are comprised of dedicated college students and working professionals who strive to promote the core tenants of camp: Leadership, Identity, and Development. Counselors also help campers explore their potential and discover more about their identities and their culture. At the same time, counselors also push campers to constantly challenge themselves to encourage growth.
Camp Schedule
Each year's camp schedule is packed with various workshops and activities meant to provide campers with opportunities to learn and grow while also having fun. Each day is full of activity so campers never feel like time is dragging. However they are still given ample free time to play a few rounds of basketball, talk and have fun on their own with their friends, or even nap in preparation for the other activities.
Workshops
Workshops are developed by the Program Director(s) and carried out by various staff members and counselors. Camp workshops make up the majority of the camp programming for each year and are based around the camp theme. While workshop content changes from year to year, they can generally be broken into any of the following categories:
Food: The basics to learning about any culture is through its food, and Taiwanese culture is no different. With influences from China, Japan, and the aboriginal people of Taiwan, Taiwanese food has become an integral part of Taiwanese culture. Food workshops aim to educate campers on a specific dish or food type while also giving them the opportunity to make and taste the same foods.
Culture: Culture workshops dive into other aspects of Taiwanese culture. These workshops can range from language to festivals to art. Culture workshops often incorporate arts and craft aspects into the actual activities. Campers are given the opportunity to learn a bit of Taiwanese or decorate a paper lantern or participate in traditional dances.
Leadership: Leadership development workshops focus on developing communication skills and confidence. These workshops often include campers working together in their small groups to take on certain challenges or win a series of games. However, leadership development is not strictly limited to just these games or challenges, throughout the entire camp program, campers are pushed to be more confident and take the lead in their small groups in every activity or to work together and finish as a group.
Identity and Personal Development: These workshops are geared towards helping our campers discover more about themselves. Often times these workshops have a much heavier message behind them but are also camp favorites throughout the years. An example of a personal development or identity workshop is our Sharing is Caring activity, where campers talk about experiences in their lives related to certain emotions or feelings and how that helped them grow and develop into the person they are today.
Clinics
Clinics are additional workshops that can range from guest speakers to activities planned and overseen by counselors and staff members. Many times clinics are opportunities for campers to learn a new skill, listen to a guest speaker, or gain more opportunities to develop themselves. Clinics in the past have included college panels that give campers some insight into what college life is like and receive tips on how to prepare for college, workshops on how to tackle life's challenges, and self-defense lessons.
Taiwan Night is the final activity on the last night of camp. Campers prepare a skit with their small groups in advance and perform them for the rest of the camp to watch. Skits all tell a story using elements from the camp program and any other memories the campers made during their time at camp. These could include memorable workshops, funny moments throughout camp, inside jokes shared among the campers, and counselor or staff parodies. Taiwan Night gives campers the chance to look back on all the memories they made with their friends, both new and old.
Taiwan Night
FAQs
Does my child need to be Taiwanese to attend camp?
Nope! We accept all campers within our age range. All you need to attend camp is an interest in learning more about Taiwanese culture, values, and/or leadership.
How can I contribute to LID Camp?
We're so happy to hear that you want to help support camp! You can contribute in many different ways from food and office supplies to monetary donations. For more information on how to help contribute, please email lidcamp@tacl.org.
Can I visit my child at camp?
Unfortunately, we do not allow visits from families during the week because it interrupts your child’s adjustment to their small groups and and their full experience at LID Camp.
When are the dates for camp?
Camp dates vary each year depending on the campsite selected, but LID Camp generally takes place during late July or early August.
Where will camp be located this year?
The location of camp changes each year, but it will always be announced on the website and our Facebook page.
What does my child need to bring to camp?
When you register your child for LID Camp, a camper welcome packet will be mailed to you detailing a list of items and clothing your child is recommended to bring. These generally are enough clothing to last 5 days and 4 nights, a jacket for nights, comfortable closed toe shoes, toiletries and shower supplies, and anything else your child will need to stay comfortable during their time at camp.
Will we be able to reach our child in case of an emergency?
Yes! A phone number to the land line will be sent to each family.