What is the purpose of this conference?
Most adoption conferences focus on equipping adoptive parents. This conference will be the first to focus on YOU – adopted teens. It is time to have a conference of your own and let your voice be heard!
May I invite my friends to the conference?
Absolutely! This conference is open to all adopted Chinese teens, regardless of which adoption agency served their parents. Spread the word!
What do you mean by “host family?”
We have many wonderful adoptive families in our area who have volunteered their homes to host you. They can pick you up at the airport and provide breakfasts, dinners, and daily transportation. This is all completely free to you! You can specify what kind of host family you prefer, such as the age of children at home, whether or not they have pets, special dietary requirements, etc. We will do our best to “match” you with an appropriate host family.
If my friend and I come together, may we stay with the same host family?
Yes, some host families are willing to host two or three teens.
Do teens of all ages do activities together all the time?
Not really. We are pretty sure a 13-year-old would like to stay with a group of kids of similar ages, and an 18-year-old would prefer to hang out with her or his peers too. We will subdivide the large group into a few age-relevant smaller groups for panel discussions, games, and other fun activities.
What can my parent(s) or siblings do while I am at the conference?
We will offer seminars and cultural activities for them to choose from. They can also volunteer to help with the conference. We need a lot of volunteers! J
I would love to go, but we might need some financial assistance. Do you offer scholarships?
We will assess the need on an individual basis. The minimal registration fee of $50 per participant includes the entire conference, as well as a t-shirt and goodie-bag. Your family will just need to get you here. If you need some financial assistance, you can request an application by emailing adopteen@chinesechildren.org.
Will you have professional counselors or therapists available during the conference if the need arises?
Yes, several experienced and teen-friendly counselors, therapists, and social workers from our own Red Thread Counseling Center and social worker team will be on site to provide individual support should the need arise.
I have some suggestions about the conference. Who should I talk to?
We love ideas and suggestions! At the end of the online registration process, you can take advantage of the survey to share your valuable thoughts with us or email us at adopteen@chinesechildren.org. We want to make sure this conference truly reflects your interests and meets your needs.