Workshops for Your Camp or Event

Here are a few of the topics we present. Please note any of our topics can be presented with a country or region focus.

HERITAGE TRAVEL: A JOURNEY BACK, A JOURNEY FORWARD. A heritage journey is one of the most significant factors in the identity-building process of internationally adopted people. This workshop draws from nearly 30 years of experience traveling with adoptees and their families. It is specifically designed for adoptees and families who are considering traveling this year or in the future, with a focus on both logistical and emotional preparations. We will cover some of the most often-asked questions about homeland travel and share some of the benefits and complexities of these important journeys. 

Topics will include:

• How does the adoptee’s age affect the journey?
• What adoption exploration is possible?
• How do adoptees tend to react before, during and after the trip?
• How can you prepare?
• How can parents, siblings, spouses and other loved ones support adoptees on this journey?
• What role does adoptee loyalty play?
• How is social media impacting the experience?
• To search or not to search?
• The pros and cons of knowing more.
• What are the challenges when no information can be found?
• Search is more than about birth family.
• What are the pros and cons of group vs individual travel?
• How do the friendships created in country build an important community for adoptees, parents and spouses?

ANTICIPATING BIRTH FAMILY SEARCH: When an adoptee considers searching for their birth family, a variety of questions arise. This multi-stepped process is complex and emotional, and requires careful consideration of various logistical, emotional, and practical factors. This workshop is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of how to initiate and conduct an international birth family search. Participants will gain knowledge of the information and resources available for international adoptees and how to be an ally in the search for information.

ADOPTEE VOICES: WHAT I WOULD TELL YOU IF I COULD FIND THE WORDS. This workshop will take a look at concrete questions & thoughts that MAY be rolling around in an adoptee's mind.  In this very interactive workshop, you will hear and experience the thoughts of international adoptees….the thoughts that may not always be voiced out loud.

Themes include:

• Fitting in
• Their relationship with their adoptive family & adoptee loyalty
• Feelings related to their birth family and birth country
• And the double whammy—things that combine both birth and adoptive family
• Understanding background, a.k.a. Life History
• Poverty in birth country
• Why? Why? Why? (to a million things)
• Abandonment issues, insecurities, and control
• Self-worth & guilt
• Hope

SEARCHING FOR INFORMATION: As adoptees progress through the life experience of adoption, they often need or want more information. An adoptive parent recently called and said, “Our daughter wants to travel to her birth country to find her birth mom. We know that is not possible, but….” In actuality there are very few countries where that is the case anymore. Becoming familiar with what information and resources are available for international adoptees, and how to become an ally in the search for information is what this workshop is all about. Together, we will discuss:

• What information and resources are available to international adoptees who desire more information?
• What role is social media playing?
• What adoptees would like you to know about the information they would like to have.
• Is it possible or even desirable to wait to share information as technology increases?
• In countries where very little information is available (so far), what changes, if any, may be ahead?
• How do child-trafficking conversations fit into the discussion?
• How to talk about information in a way that is helpful.
• The pros and cons of knowing more.
• What are the challenges when no information can be found?

HOMELAND TRAVEL: BENEFITS AND COMPLEXITIES. We will explore both the positive aspects of international adoption, such as identity building, pride, belonging, validation, and the "settling effect," as well as the challenges, such as identity, abandonment, incomplete information, and stereotypes of the birth country.