Phone: 1.800.775.1797

In An “Inclusive” Not “Diverse” World

In this workshop, we will discuss concrete tools to use for parents to support their children as they navigate through the world around them. This will be a hands on workshop that will include role play, creative thinking techniques and skill building activities that will assist you in helping your child to feel like who they are is “enough” to be successful, confident and happy in this ever changing world.

“I Am Enough!!!”

In these workshops for children, we will work to build the self-confidence of each child so that they leave feeling like they are equal to or above any challenge the world puts before them. We will use motivational techniques and activities to help the child continue to develop as confident, self-assured individuals in these very challenging times we live in. Your child will leave this workshop feeling like they can conquer the world.

SONYA WILLIAMS president of DSZ & Associates Inc., a national EEO firm with its headquarters in Arlington, VA and a regional office in Boston, MA with a staff of over 150 scattered throughout the United States. DSZ is a woman owned, small business, providing services nationwide, to a large number of government clients since 1981. Ms. Williams has been with DSZ for 30 years and she has the distinct honor of being one of the firm’s first employees. Her vast experience has culminated in her current position as President of the firm. In 2006, Ms. Williams along with her partner Megan Zorn purchased DSZ from the founders of the company. Aside from her professional achievements, Ms. Williams is a successful mother of two daughters, both graduates of the Fairfax County School system. Her eldest daughter will be graduating from Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) with an Associate in Science degree as a paralegal. She is also very much involved in her community as a volunteer. As an animal lover, her heart is attached to the rescue of Labrador Retrievers where she has provided new homes for several dogs over the years. Ms. Williams loves travel and meeting people from all countries and walks of life.

Reaching A Child’s Heart

As children, they talked to you about everything. But as they grow up, communication becomes more and more difficult. We will discuss common roadblocks to communication between parents and children, and explore ways to break down those barriers.

“Who Am I?”

In this ever-changing and always challenging world we live in, knowing who you are and what you stand for will help you to make wise decisions when you are under pressure. In this session we will discuss self-identity and how it empowers you to take control of your own life. We will explore age-appropriate goal-setting based on each child’s understanding of their own strengths, weaknesses, and convictions.”

Both parents and children in the audience will appreciate David Trimner’s well-honed analytical method for breaking complex issues down to manageable pieces. From this beginning, his discussions will typically build back to a recognizable, self-evident, whole that is a highly successful teaching tool. Parents will recognize that David and his family represent one version of our families at Camp. David and his wife Shaunda are parents of 5 bi-racial children living in the culturally and racially diverse community of Northern Virginia. In short, with children ranging from 24 years old down to 3, his parenting experience runs the full gamut from married daughter to pre-kindergarten son of not quite 4 years old

DAVID TRIMNER is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and tax professional focused on non-profit and charitable organizations. He is also sought after public speaker that had given hundreds of speeches over his 18-year professional career. David resides in Fairfax, VA with his wife and three of their five children. He is actively involved in the community, and dedicates time each month for charitable activities.

Our camp has a special focus on language, as we strongly believe language is key in connecting our kids to their heritage and culture. As such, we continue offer both children’s and adult’s language classes. As always, we have prepared the language session based on the level/interest we received as part of registration.

DEREJE DESTA is the Manager of Business, Africa, for AudioNow. Dereje was the founder and Publisher of Zethiopia, a Washington, D.C. based, bilingual (Amharic and English) newspaper where he currently serves as editor-at-large. He is a veteran journalist who has served as a television and radio host & producer, and editor for more than 20 years in the U.S. and Ethiopia. He reported and contributed to NPR’s “Latitude” show, and won an award for international affairs reporting from New America Media and the American University. Dereje graduated from Addis Ababa University, in 1991, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Ethiopian Languages & Literature. He has shared his experience in journalism at public forums in Washington for congressional staffers at the U.S. Capitol, the George Washington University, the American University, the U.S. Library of Congress, and National Public Radio.

The Natural Hair Care for Children is an instructive and informative discussion that will explain how to care for both girl and boys natural hair. This fun and easy workshop will take the guess work out of prod-uct selection, braiding and twisting techniques, detangling, beading, solutions for dealing with breakage and so much more. The goal is to protect, strengthen and nurture the natural beauty of your child’s hair so that he/she may wear it with pride and confidence.

APRIL REED, born in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio currently lives in Gainesville, VA with her husband of 3 years, Justin; and she is a mom to a beautiful daughter, Tiffany. Mrs. Reed was “natural” when it was not popular and did not like it. Her mom refused to relax her hair, well mom knew best! Which is why Mrs. Reed stopped her quarterly relaxers in 2010. Several mini chops later, she embraced her curls and encouraged everyone around her to do the same. Mrs. Reed’s main goal in going natural was to achieve healthy hair. Since she primarily has very soft curls, but also a section of hair that is very coarse, she had to learn to care for both types. Working hard to find products that did not break the bank, but deliver for all types of hair, she created a Daily Moisturizer great for skin and hair. Her product helps hair retain moisture, which is necessary for natural hair care. By coincidence, Mrs. Reed has found that her product has helped a few people with eczema

An Intensive Dance Workshop and a performance by our own Heritage and Culture Camp Dance Group has become a unique feature of the camp. We have kids 9 years and older who have already registered for this special dance program, where they will be spending several hours a day learning Ethiopian Traditional Dance as well as words and phrases relating to dance. The dance troupe, featuring matching traditional costumes, will perform on the last day of the camp and provide the musical sendoff to conclude our program with high note

BILEN YOSEPH was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Although she came to the United States at the age of 11, she has kept in close touch with her Ethiopian roots. Bilen is also one of the lead volunteers for the Ethiopian Heritage and Culture Camp from day one. She not only spends many days and weeks in preparation for the Camp, she also takes time off from work to run the Camp with unmatched passion and dedication to kids at Camp.

Every year we look forward to enjoying Ethiopian coffee – roasted, ground and brewed under the big Wil-low Tree in the traditional manner and evoking the wonderful ritual that is centuries old. Every year with all the music being played throughout the entire event, the camp ambiance is transformed to take us all back to Ethiopia! Mainly, thanks to two talented artists who have been with us from day one!

ALMAZ GETAHUN will host our Ethiopian Coffee Ceremonies. A professional dancer, Almaz, with her partner will entertain us with traditional dancing at the Ethiopian Banquet as well. In addition to being a wonderful host, Almaz will bring joy to the camp with her beautiful smile and playful nature. A great example of Ethiopian hospitality!