Feed Back

The organizing committee would like to hear all your feed back positive or negative about the camp.  Your comments are important for the committee to learn and improve its weakness so the next Len Duong Camp could be a better one.  Please email to: vhkh@vhkhvn.org and include your name and phone number just in case the committee has question.   THANK YOU

Len Duong camp exceeded my expectations.  I have been to leadership camps before, where everyone was split into groups and had to learn how to work together as a team.  However, this camp differed in its approach because of it fusion of leadership development and Vietnamese culture.  The message throughout the weekend emphasized not only becoming a dynamic force within your local community, but balancing Vietnamese and American culture.  Len Duong was also a great place to meet and network with people sharing similar ideals.  I met many people with whom I plan to keep in touch.  The camp is a wonderful opportunity that I hope the VHKH continues organizing.  I highly recommend it to all Vietnamese youth who care about making a positive difference in the world. 

--Bich-May Nguyen

Hello chi HuyenThanh,

This camp is very difficult for me to compare to all the camp that I went. This is the big camp that I ever went, and I had learn a lot from different people older and in my age. They all friendly and we all love each other, we always together, play together and eat together. All that momment I scare when the camp is over I can't see it no more.

The main point of this camp is Team Work, they don't need how smart you are, how good you all but if you not work in the team you will lost and don't have any fun anyway.

We work hard, and share all the moment together. I learn to many thing from the camp, how hard to be a good leader, but at least you try to know and get experience from everybody.

That's all I need to said, and one thing I can't forget is Thanks, Thanks thanks for make this camp because of this camp I learn a lots.

Appreciateddd,

MYHuyen

I attended VCSA's Youth Leadership Camp on Memorial Day weekend. Words alone cannot sufficiently express my priceless experience! The most vivid memory that will remain with me forever is as follows: My team had just completed a rigorous five-hour "Big Game", which consisted of using a riddle to follow a particular path deep into the woods. There were carefully-designed and intriguing challenges at each of the stations that my team encountered on our search for the end. We had to work as a team always to survive the rapids of a river, climb the rocky hills and trees, find tree branches, catch fish with our bare hands, and even travel over 5 meters using two ply boards and six pieces of rope without touching our feet on the ground (16 team members at at time)! Not to mention, there was a treasure hunt at the end of the Big Game also. After the Game, we had dinner. Immediately afterwards, we had to put the finishing touches to our team skit so that we would be able to present it at that night's bonfire. Twelve teams, including ours (which was the best, of course), presented, and then we had a supper of chicken and noodles. It was 1AM (Memorial Day) and the teams needed to turn in a Futuristic Game project that morning by 8AM. What followed was the most amazing sight: As I scanned my tam mates' faces, I saw the redness in their droopy eyes due to the long and physically-demanding Sunday, but I also heard the endless laughter emanating from their gleaming smiles. Although we were working so diligently to write a memorable poem, design a poster using only materials we could find in nature, and prepare a creative, award-winning presentation for Monday morning, which was only 6 hours away, we had such an enjoyable time. All 16 members of the team worked until 3:30 AM, but in the end we felt like we had known each other for a long time; we had known each other for only 4 days. "Buddha," our teammate (with the nickname we agave him), captured the moment well: "Guys, I think we will be friends forever."

     In addition to the strengthening of Vietnamese culure, encouraging a better understanding of the history and language, and encouraging community service, Camp Len Duong was such a motivational experience, evident through the team work that was required.

Vera Tran

----- Original Message -----
From: "Anh Chu" <tylun33@hotmail.com>
To: <anguyen1@pdq.net>
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2001 11:44 PM
Subject: Re: Hi there

Dear chi AnhLan,

First of all, I wanted to apologize for my late reply because I was kind busy planning for VSA's summer events with other executives once I got back from the camp.  Also, I also had to study for a mid-term.  By now, I already recovered from camp LenDuong since there are so many things waiting for me to do :)  Everybody says, I am a busy girl, but I'll take it as a compliment since I live up to every minute of my life :)  I guess, you  or every individual/members of the VCSA is doing the same thing.  Back to your request, this is what I have in mind after camp LenDuong.

Overall, the camp was very well organized. I was very impressed because LenDuong camp had over 250 campers, but the organizer wouldn't let the campers feel isolate from the first night at the camp site.  The ice breaking games were a good start.  I already felt it was the right decision to attend to camp LenDuong.  I told myself at the time, "yup, right choice LanAnh". The warm welcome from the organizers though there were some awkward moments from other campers for the first time meeting him/her.  However, I was able to emerge to the environment since everyone speaks the same mother tongue and cultural as I am.

The time/schedule for every event was very tight, not allowing campers to do his/her own individual (which was great) since the goal was to work as a team, like you said, "do, work, play and eat with your team".  Each camper might be somewhat leader to his/her community, a leader to the VSA in school.  However, everyone (at least in my team) was able to listen to one another, letting his/her messages go across everyone's mind.  It was exactly what I was looking/searching for from other campers as he/she may be a leader, a role model of the next generation.

The team game/activities fitted very well into the schedule of each day. It gave each team their time to have fun and laugh together.  I thought the "big game" would be a lot more challenging then it was.  I didn't think the game tested my sharpness and fast minded ability.  The game was kind of too easy and straight forward.  This was just a minor mark as you would look at a big picture.  The picture was completely perfect.

Keynote speakers were excellent.  Gosh, I never thought or expected to have any speakers at all in the camp.  It turned out to be a great surprise to me.  From their speeches, I have learned that in order to be successful woman, a great leader or a role model, I have to set up a goal (a short/long term, small or big), take action, reach out and get involve to achieve my goal.  Nevertheless, the outcome may not be what I expected, but I still have to thrive on challenge.  Base on their speechs, I was able to determine my positive side and negative as well.  Basically, I had the opportunity to review myself, the mistakes I have made as a leader to any group I had the chance to be part of.  There was a lot of good feedback from the keynote speakers.

I will always treasure 4 days at camp LenDuong.  It was probably one gift among the best gift I received in my life.  Camp LenDuong gave me the opportunity to become a much better leader, the opportunity to interact and observe other leaders.  It shows and proves that VCSA is a very strong association in order to have this kind of event.  I can't believe how much time and efforts ca'c anh chi. put into not just camp LenDuong, but different activities for the community.  I wish and hope that the Vietnamese Ottawa community will have some similar organization like VCSA. Unfortunately, Ottawa doesn't have a lot of people who are determined like you and other staff members of camp LenDuong whom I had the opportunity to know what you have done for the community.  I hope there will be otherlucky Ottawa youth leaders who will have the opportunity to attend to camp LenDuong in the coming year.

Best Regards,
LanAnh

This is Hai from Iowa, the one that almost didn't get to attented Camp Len Duong 2001. I just want to thank all of you for making it possible to have a camp that offers Vietnamese-American a chance to learn more about their culture and history! It is a great way to bring together the second generation of Vietnamese-American, offer them friendship and most important, the things that they can't learn in school: the pride of being Vietnamese, being the sons and daughters of Angel and Dragon, the Vietnamese family values, ect...

This is my first time of being a member at Camp Len Duong. Beside all the fun and the good things I've learned from camp, I saw there was room for improvements. I loved the activities that've been offered but if we could select more songs to sing at the big circle, it would be much better. The big game was fun but not fair, all team received incorrect information and the staffs didn't seem to be much involved. Instructions wasn't clear cause some team like Nguyen Truong To, had to walk a long way without shoes and shirts. Nguyen Dinh Chieu, started out with the wrong color and didn't find out that they was on the wrong route until a team member found out that there was two different colors. We weren't being on schedule and because of that, all activities was being cut short. We seem to rush all the time, I think the reason for that was because we were late all the time. The food was horrible and so little. We understood that being on a Jewish camp site, there was limited but the food should be better than that. There are lots of food that can be made out of just vegetables. We loved all the workshops and would like to attend to all of them but couldn't, hopefully next time, we arrange so that everyone get to do the same thing. The section with Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Bao and Co...(Xin loi quen ten) was very interesting. I knew that Mr Wattkins hosted a section similar to that and he was speaking mainly in Vietnamese. Why not combine the two sections together because I would love to hear from Mr. Wattkins but still didn't want to miss Mr. Bao's section.

I am sorry this is long, but please keep in mind that this is an input to make the camp better. If I offend anyone, please forgive me! This is the truth that I obseved with my own eyes and comments that made by other peolpe in different teams. Now that the past have been said and done. I would like to focus on the future. To start out, I would love to be the contact person for the state of Iowa. If there are any requierment for this position, please let me know! Again, thank you all!

Hai Nguyen Vo

From: "Katherine Vu" <mistawis1@hotmail.com>
To: huyenthanhluu@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: RDI campers
Date: Mon, 04 Jun 2001 12:27:53 -0500

     Never have I found a weekend as fun, as stimulating, or as rewarding as the weekend I spent at Camp Len Duong 2001. I had many doubts about coming even after I signed up, because my Vietnamese isn't fluent, my opinions are often considered radical by my more conservative Vietnamese friends, and various other reasons. But when the time came to say goodbye to my fellow campers, I resisted the idea of leaving.

     Because, as the unofficial president of my church's youth group for three years, I understood very well the frustrations and nitty-gritty details behind being a leader, I appreciate even more fully how much work and dedication went into organizing and running Camp Len Duong. The camp staff had their hands full making sure activities ran on schedule, campers did what they were supposed to, entertainment was never lacking, and speakers had fun. I can say, with a hearty salute, that the VSCA did a magnificent job.

     And it was a worthy cause, too. The camp provided hundreds of Vietnamese-American youth with plenty to talk about when they went home. I came to the camp with two other leaders of my youth group, and we drove home together full of ideas for building up and enhancing our organization. At the camp, the admirable mix of intellectual, cultural, arts, and sports activities gave us a well-balanced four days of leadership training in various areas of life. And because every one of us had to eat, play, and work together as a team, we became intimately aware of group dynamics, diplomatics, and communication skills. When two or more of us had conflicting ideas, we had to learn to give way to the opinions and the good of the group as a whole. I literally saw pride and personal differences discarded in favor of teamwork and group strategies.

     I made many new friends I hope never to lose touch with, I gained numerous insights into the factors that make teams function to everyone's advantage, and I left with the satisfaction that it was a weekend tremendously well spent. Most of all, I gained the knowledge that there are hundreds of young people like me all over the country: youth bridging two cultures who want to stand out, to help their fellow human beings, and to have fun. I hope to return to Camp Len Duong 2002 next year!

----- Original Message -----
From: "lamdong" <lamdong@yahoo.com>
To: "Anhlan Nguyen" <anguyen1@pdq.net>
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2001 4:46 AM
Subject: Camp Len Duong 2001

Hi Chi. AnhLan,

I almost cried when my email was crashed seconds ago, I lost all my typing last two hrs for you. It's pretty late now. I can't re-type all selective words I preserved for you and the whole camp staff.

Hopefully, you could guess the words and our emotion.

 In brief, "harmony work", flexible change to adapt situation, similing team work, devotion and high spirit; those more than any "nice and big" words will live permanently in my hearts as well as others. I've learned and enjoyed a lot during the camp. Now try to carrying that spirit, that flag to my daily life and my involvement at my GDPT group with Vietnamese kids.

Regarding to the camp comments, it wonderfull, here's minor as you asked

1- "Leadership workshop"

 Learn to become a leader as well as listening to be lead

 (Learn to compromise for team success)
 
 Could replace Sung's speech by this workshop
 
 Could apply, practice leader characteristic from Ms Le Duy Loan
 and Mr Tran Thanh Van.

Some teams have leaders take turn. If team had "team time" at the end of a day, team could give comments, suggestions and prepare for new leader next day. Thus, more people have chance to practice "leadership skill". (It would be bad many ones want to lead but not to be lead)

2- "Team time" to build up team bond and team spirit with a small/fun project (e.g. like futuristic game with smaller scale less time consuming, focus on team member to know each other)

3- Amazing sucessful big games: some minors:

    3.1 Un-even start

    Knew that 12 teams couldn't cross the bridge; however, the 6 teams followed La.c Long Qua^n seemed confused with poem in "ma^.t thu+" because didn't match until turn around and go toward to bridge

    3.2 Staffs at obstacle station needed to fully understand and consistent.

    E.g. One temporary memory ("DDu+'c") at Tazan station just threw a plastic bag with 3 egges inside near the lake shore, so one team easily got the bag without crawling on the rope.

    E.g. (in Sport game day before) H. Thanh confused us by saying "Relay canoe racing game" had only one group per team, which contradited with handout instruction (4 groups per team).  (She also said a lout that we didn't read instruction or listen to her !!) I understood that she worked hard to control the game and a bit over re-acted. Anyway, we appreciated her effort and her devotion the make canoe racing most exciting sport game.

    3.3 Fish should set free after couting. When catching fish by hand, should we put into something e.g. empty bottle filled with water, count them and let them free. So later team could catch fishes, and we didn't have to kill them unnecessary.

Could you send me the team searching riddle questions (first day) ? Or the pointer to reference?

Could you send me the big game detail, and Lac Long Quan, Au Co script if possible ?

Could you send me 6 samples of "Tha? tho+ game"

This summer I'd glad to apply new things I learned to organize a fun, meaningfull camp for our group during labor day weekend.

Sincerely,

-Lam Dong

From Tam Tran - Toronto, Canada.

Len Duong was a wonderful experience for me.  I never had so much fun and learn so much at one time.  It made me feel proud to be Vietnamese and now i am determined to learn how to read and write Vietnamese. I hope i can do this again next year.

Tran Nguyen Thien Tam.
Toronto, Canada

From Ann Vo - Toronto, Canada

Len Duong like last year was very refreshing, and I felt that sense of humbleness & inspiration when surrounded by all those success stories. It makes me feel proud to know that the important aspects of my culture are still preserved even though we are now on foreign grounds.

A slice of Len Duong 2001

I have been trying to describe what the Len Duong experience was like and have come to the conclusion that it is impossible to describe it fully with words.  It has been said that during the year if you have not laughed from the bottom of your belly or cried from you heart, then you have lived that year.  I think at Len Duong 2001, many of us have more then enough to live for many years to come as our hearts and minds were opened and lifted.

There were too many memorable moments and only members of my team Nguyen Truong To would understand many of them so in the interest of keeping this brief, the one meaningful moment I like to describe to everyone was during the Big Game competition which is a series of physical and mental challenges that requires a team effort to accomplish.   Bear with me as I have tried to be concise as possible. 

Team Nugyen Truong To’s first challenge:  Half our team volunteered to engage and successfully performed in getting across a body of water via a water slide and some swimming.  However, through confusion and a series of unfortunate events to no fault of our own, the team reunited but without the shoes and shirts of those who volunteered for the task.  Two runners were sent to retrieve them but were unsuccessful since no one they asked knew where the items were.

We lost our team spirit.  We had just begun and already our greatest challenge was starring at us – deciding what to do with half the team bare foot and topless.  Knowing that the road ahead of us was literally rough and seeing many sad and hopeless faces, including my own, I totally understood if the team wanted to just sit in the shade for the rest of the afternoon. Trampling around bare foot and shirtless for the afternoon was not an easy request to make of the team (and not to mention dangerous) and I found myself lost for words of encouragement as team leader.  Our choices were clear, we either pack it in now and admit defeat or continue on with half the team bare foot and topless.  I asked the team to make the best of the situation in hopes of rallying some team spirit.  I was encouraged and willing to continue bare foot and topless when I sensed the team spirit coming back as members with shoes and shocks gave up there shocks to help ease the pain for those without shoes. 

The journey to the next challenge site was the longest hike of my life through gravel, dirt and under the hot Austin, Texas Sun.  I had not realized at the time but upon reflection I noticed that as a team we had meet the first two “Cs” from Mrs.. Duy-Loan Le’s speech about leadership we heard earlier – courage to make a decision and compassion.  We made the tough decision to continue and the compassion among the team to help ease those suffering from our tender feet being exposed to the elements.  The simple gesture of offering the socks and thus raising team spirit, it gave our team the third C – the confidence to complete the challenges successfully with enormous spirit and team unity.

I am sure anyone who participated could imagine the physical hardships our team endured.  In a strange way, I am glad our team had to face that tough challenge because we discovered that we had courage to attempt what seemed impossible and more importantly that we did complete what seemed impossible.

It has been almost a week since I returned from Len Duong 2001 and I am still recovering physically, mentally and most importantly emotionally but let me add that it was worth every bit of it.  I’ve had one of the best times of my life that weekend.  It was an enlightenment in one’s cultural identity and community, even thought I was a time zone away from my own community.  It was a life-changing event; and from what I witnessed among the fellow participants, I know I am not alone on this.  I hope that every participant devotes this energy and excitement to one’s own community.

Many thanks to the organizers, sponsors, guests and staff for a job well done.