Len Duong: A Camp With A Heart

Although I grew up with few Vietnamese people around me, I was fortunate enough to have parents who instilled into me my Vietnamese heritage. As a young teenager brought up in a Caucasian community, I did pass through a brief identity crisis, but I was able to come to terms and cope with my differences by seeing them as special and unique. In addition, I no longer saw myself as a burdened soul stuck between two worlds, but as a lucky one for having the choice of seeing both worlds and thus picking the best from both to define who I am. I was happy and confident in my views and did not think there was any more to discover.

It was not until some years later, in May 2000, that Ms. Anh Lan, a family friend from Texas, came to visit us. She wanted me to experience an annual camp she had helped founded for Vietnamese youths my age, a camp called Len Duong. This camp was supposed to be a unique opportunity for young Vietnamese from North America to come together to learn and share success, leadership, and culture. Despite her high praises for Len Duong, I was not interested because I felt no need for it–I was not someone who was not in touch with her roots. However, her persistence and persuasion pushed me to submit an application to the camp and follow her back to Texas to give Len Duong a chance.

My first impression of the camp was “Wow, I’ve never seen so many Asian faces in one place like this before (well, except in Chinatown).” Then I took notice of other things like the breathtaking camp site, the comfortable cabins, the exciting games, and the valuable lessons in success, leadership, and culture. But there was something else…. something that Ms. Anh Lan had not described to me, something the brochures had not informed. Above everything that Len Duong promised, it was the people I met that were most impressive. Not only was everyone really warm and friendly, but the tremendous level of spirit was also so overwhelming that I couldn’t help but become emancipated by it. I felt this spirit echoing through every activity that we tried even if it happened to be a small one, because everyone contributed their full effort and participation. And cultural pride! I have never been with a bunch of youths so proud of their heritage! I was utterly surprised and impressed by the extent of knowledge on Vietnam and the Vietnamese culture my fellow campers had, even though they were brought up outside of Vietnam. It was bonfire night that was especially heartening, when each person inspired me with his or her own personal story.

It seemed incredible to me how 259 strangers from all over the States and from Canada can bond in only four days. Len Duong truly is more than just any camp; it is a camp with a heart. What I discovered at Len Duong I cannot simply describe in words, for it is a feeling you have to experience to understand.

Before Len Duong, being Vietnamese felt good because I felt unique, and although I still see this as part of who I am, I brought back home with me some new insights. At Len Duong, I felt a different sense of “good” about being Vietnamese. I felt belonging. This was a breakthrough realization. I felt some security, some relief that there was a group of people out there like myself. The world extended beyond the mere community I was growing up in.

Not only did I feel this, but also I felt like I understood what being Vietnamese was really about and why I should be proud. Now to me being Vietnamese meant being strong willed, high spirited, warm, and united. It was probably something I had always known in my heart, but not something I truly had the chance to feel.

The following year, I returned to Len Duong, this time, bringing with me some fellow Vietnamese-Canadians. It was my hope that other youths like myself will get the chance to find that very special piece of their soul there. A piece they didn’t know was missing until it fit so perfectly in place.

Does Len Duong sound like your bowl of pho? Click here to learn how to register. The early bird deadline is April 5, so act quickly! 

 

About the Author: Ann Vo joined camp Len Duong for the first time in 2000 after she graduated from high school.  Inspired by the spirit of volunteerism at the camp, Ann became actively involved with the Vietnamese Students’ Society at University of Toronto when she entered college later that year. Ann became the Vice-President of VSS and has been very active for the VSS at University of Toronto since then. Ann returned to Len Duong in 2001 and continued to sharpen her leadership skills. Once she returned home to Canada, Ann was determined to revitalize the organization’s magazine production, Khai Phong. She became the producer of the Khai Phong magazine to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The magazine was awarded first prize by the Federation of Vietnamese Students Association of Ontario. Despite a very heavy community involvement schedule, Ann managed to maintain straight As in her academic studies and graduated from the Dental School of University of Toronto. She came back and served as staff at Len Duong 2011.