Summer Camps

Register Now for Summer 2027 Holt Camp in Oregon!

Holt’s weeklong, overnight camp in Oregon serves international and domestic adoptees, ages 9–18, from across the country. Holt Adoptee Camp is a camp for adoptees, by adoptees. Like any summer camp, we focus on fun, friendship and community, while creating something uniquely designed around the adoptee experience. Our curriculum is created and facilitated by adult adoptees and provides campers with a supportive space to connect with peers, share their experiences, explore identity and build a strong sense of community. From our programming and activities to our staff and curriculum, the adoptee experience is at the heart of everything we do.

As the cost of operating camp continues to rise, we have made the difficult decision to increase our camp registration fee. We have worked to keep registration costs as affordable as possible and have held off on this increase for as long as we could. However, in order to continue providing the high-quality programming, facilities, staffing and overall camp experience our campers and families deserve, this increase has become necessary.

We remain committed to making Holt Adoptee Camp accessible to adoptees and families, regardless of financial circumstances. Financial aid is available, and we encourage families who may need assistance to reach out.

For questions about camp, registration or financial aid, please contact Elliot Bliss, Director of Adoptee Camp/Manager of Adoptee Programs, at [email protected].

Please note: Campers who are 18 must still be enrolled in high school or have recently graduated. 18-year-old campers will sleep in their own cabins and participate in some separate, age-appropriate programming.

Eligible Participants

Holt’s adoptee summer camp program is available to all domestic, international, same-race, transracial or transcultural adoptees — placed through any agency — who are between the ages of 9 and 18.

If you are 18, you must still be in high school or have recently graduated from high school.

18-year-old campers will sleep in their own cabins and participate in some separate, age-appropriate programming.

Oregon Adoptee Camp

Overnight Camp

Dates: July 19-24,2027

Price: $1150.00

Duration: 6 days / 5 nights

CIT Program

Dates: July 19-24,2027

Price: $1150.00

Duration: 6 days / 5 nights

Location: Camp Lutherwood, 22960 OR-36, Cheshire, OR 97419

Description: Located just 30 minutes west of Junction City, Camp Lutherwood has been hosting various groups for many decades. The camp creates intentional experiences for people to access the outdoors for restoration, play and growth.

Register: We have financial aid available, please contact [email protected] with any questions or concerns.

To learn more about Holt Adoptee Camp, contact Elliot Bliss, camp director/adoptee programs manager, at [email protected]. And be sure to check us out on Instagram!

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Oregon Adoptee Camp

Overnight Camp

Dates: July 19-24,2027

Price: $1150.00

Duration: 6 days / 5 nights

CIT Program

Dates: July 19-24,2027

Price: $1150.00

Duration: 6 days / 5 nights

Location: Camp Lutherwood, 22960 OR-36, Cheshire, OR 97419

Register: We have financial aid available, please contact [email protected] with any questions or concerns.

FAQs About Holt Adoptee Camp

What’s Holt Adoptee Camp all about?

Holt’s weeklong, overnight camp in Oregon serves international and domestic adoptees, ages 9-18, and their families.

Holt Adoptee Camp maintains a focus on fun and community, just like any other summer camp. What makes this camp special is that we have built in a curriculum for adoptees, by adoptees, that provides a space for adoptees to discuss, share and build identity among their peers. Everything at camp has been created and implemented by adult adoptee staff — making this program one of a kind.

Safety is our first priority. Our staff is carefully selected and screened, and then professionally trained before camp begins. We’re committed to keeping campers physically and emotionally safe, so that everyone can fully benefit from the camp experience.

What is Overnight Camp?

A week of Holt Adoptee Camp will be one of the best experiences of your life. Along with other adoptees, you’ll have the chance to try new things, make new friends and discuss issues that are important and unique to adoptees. You’ll fill your days playing group games, developing skits, playing sports, swimming, living in cabins, exploring your identity, eating great food, creating arts and crafts, and hanging out with new and old friends, all while being supervised 24/7 by trained adult adoptee camp counselors.

Eligible Participants

Holt’s adoptee summer camp program is available to all domestic, international, same race, transracial or transcultural
adoptees — placed through any agency — who are between the ages of 9 and 18. If you are 18, you must still be in high school or have recently graduated from high school. 18-year-old campers will sleep in their own cabins and participate in some separate, age-appropriate programming.

Cost

The 2027 camp fee is $1,150. Camp Financial aid is available!

Meals

Meals are included in the registration fee.

Contact Elliot Bliss, camp director/adoptee programs manager, at [email protected] with any questions.

What does a typical day at Holt Camp look like?

Time	Schedule
8:30 AM	Breakfast
9:00 AM	Group games
10:00 AM	Art class
11:00 AM	Adoption lesson
12:00 PM	Lunch
1:00 PM	Recharge
2:00 PM	Swimming
4:00 PM	Group games
5:00 PM	Dinner skit prep
6:00 PM	Dinner
6:45 PM	Small group adoption discussion
7:15 PM	Evening activities
8:30 PM	Campfire
9:30 PM	Return to cabin, get ready for bed

Can I get involved, even if I’m not a camper?

Yes! We are always looking for adult adoptees to serve as camp staff! (More information about becoming a camp counselor will be available in the coming weeks.)

You can also sponsor a camper to attend camp. Or you could become a camp nurse!

Please contact Elliot Bliss, camp director/adoptee programs manager, at [email protected] with any questions.

Donate to Holt Camp Fund!

Your donation to the Holt Camp Fund will help support young adoptees and families grow and thrive within their community.

Give today!

Highlights of Holt Camp in Oregon

Check out some of the fun times we had at a past Holt Adoptee Camp in Oregon!

Become a Camp Counselor!

Apply Now

Enjoy the fun of being a staff member at Holt Adoptee Summer Camp. Benefits include:

Being part of an adoptee community
End-of-season stipend
Forming lifelong friendships
Being part of a team

Making a positive impact on the lives of campers
Learning valuable skills in team building, group management and camp programming
Looks great on resumes and applications for college scholarships and jobs

What does a camp counselor do?

As a counselor at in-person camp, you’ll have many responsibilities. We’ve broken them down into two categories.

Campers

You’re responsible for the safety of the campers 24 hours a day, from the time they check in until they check out. You’ll assist in leading them in scheduled activities throughout the day. You’ll lead your cabin group in discussions on race, identity and adoption. You’ll set the standard for your campers in the areas of positive attitude, integrity, punctuality and interaction with peers.
Camp counselors will receive 40 hours of pre-camp training and will be supported in person by the camp director and the camp leadership team during the camp season.

Camp Activities

Counselors will be assigned to teach and lead certain camp activities.
Counselors will be asked to enthusiastically participate in all activities, setting the mood for the campers. A counselor who’s having fun leads to campers having fun as well!

Become a Counselor in Training (CIT)

Interested in being a Counselor in Training? Benefits include:

Being a role model for the campers
Learning valuable skills in operations and team building
Learning the ins and outs of being a camp counselor
Building community with youth and adult adoptees
Looks good on a resume

What does a counselor in training (CIT) do?

Assist counselor with the supervision of 2-8 campers.
Help staff run camp activities, games and songs.
Support staff by helping keep kids engaged and attentive to the speaker during adoption talks, cabin discussions and any performances or presentations.
Assist with camp operations (prep for activities, transitions, set up/clean up).
Support counselor and campers with conversations about racism, identity and community, birth search, etc.