Washington, D.C.
Colorado Springs, CO
Our 2024 funding gap sits at $24,675. If you are interested in becoming a 2024 Adopteen Camp-Conference sponsor, please visit our sponsorship page or contact ivy@theparkcommunity.org to get started.
Thank you!
Adopteen Event Staff are the captains of every beautiful Adopteen Camp-Conference ship. Sure, they are the stamps of approval, the final decision, the swing vote…but they’re also everyone’s main contact, the late-night superheroes, and the greatest humans on Earth. No big deal.
The Adopteen Leadership Committee is the team of volunteers that plans, promotes, and supports all that is Adopteen Camp-Conference. They are the camp counselors, the party-starters, the truest of homies, and overall lifesavers and we could never do what we do without them.
Ivy Buchanan
Chloe Deskin
Grace Roane-Hopkins
Natalie Schneider
Paige Lewis
Joy Bunch
Maddox Ciesluk
Lian McGuane
Hannah Bouska
Zane Cleghorn
Maddy Buetow
Mira Raush
Malia Recker
Kaiya Tomasik
Ivy Buchanan
Camp Coordinator
Washington, D.C. and Colorado Springs
Hello Everyone! I’m Ivy, the Adoptee Programs Coordinator at The Park Adoption Community Center and the Camp Coordinator for the Camp-Conferences this year. I was adopted from Kazakhstan when I was about 18 months old. I’ve lived in Colorado almost my whole life, mainly in the Denver area. I have a BA in Theatre and Film Production and Design from UCD and graduated with a minor in Studio Art. After working in different areas of the arts for a while, I wanted to focus more on nonprofit work. I was a project manager for a nonprofit that provided water filters to communities in need and as part of disaster relief. I worked as the post-adoption coordinator at an international agency before joining The Park at CCAI. Denver 2023 was my first Adopteen Camp-Conference; I learned much and fell in love. I’m so excited about all the Camps this summer!
When not working, I may be baking something yummy, reading, scrolling through cute pet pictures, or working on my next art project. I’m looking forward to getting to know the adoptee community more this summer and planning many fun things (and having fun, too!).
Chloe Deskin
Camp Director
Washington D.C. and Colorado Springs
Hi everyone, my name is Chloe and I am your camp director for both Adopteen camps this summer! I started Adopteen in 2013, and have been apart of many different leadership committees, but this is my first time stepping into the role of camp director– I couldn’t be more excited! I was adopted when I was 11 months from Guangxi, China and grew up in Denver. I now live in Los Angeles and am currently pursuing my Master’s in Psychology at Pepperdine University. In my spare time I love to take naps, try new cafes in LA, and hang out with friends. What I love about Adopteen the most is that it is a place you can be your most authentic self without feeling judged, meet people with similar experiences, and have fun. I can’t wait to meet you all this summer! 🙂
Joy Bunch
Committee Member
Washington, D.C. and Colorado Springs
Hiya everyone! I’m Joy, currently in Missouri, originally from Hong Kong. I’ve been part of Adopteen since 2018, starting in Minneapolis as a camper. I transitioned to the committee during the 2020 virtual camp, so if you’re a returning camper, we might have met! If you’re new, I’m excited to make friends!
A bit about me: I have a Graphic Design degree and specialize in Jewelry, with silver smithing as one of my hobbies. I’m a huge K-pop fan, running a small business from home since college. I love concerts of all genres, despite being an introvert. Can’t wait for camp and to make great memories with you all! 🙂
Zane Cleghorn
Committee Member
Washington, D.C.
Hola! I’m Zane Cleghorn, a Chinese adoptee originally from Henan, now living near Seattle, Washington. I’m pursuing my bachelor’s in Geology at Montana State University and will soon start my master’s in Geophysics at the University of Massachusetts. I’m passionate about rocks, exploring, hiking, and playing tennis daily. When I’m not outdoors, I enjoy cooking, playing the trumpet, watching anime, reading manga, and indulging in trashy reality TV. Fun fact: I once got hit by a car while biking! I’m thrilled to join Adopteen for the first time, having previously worked as a counselor at Holt camp. Can’t wait to meet new friends and contribute to this community’s growth! See you all soon!
Grace Roane-Hopkins
Assistant Camp Director
Washington, D.C.
Hey everyone, my name is Grace! I was adopted from Nanjing, China, but grew up in Pennsylvania. My first involvement with Adopteen was the 2014 Adoptees Giving Back
Orphanage Service Trip, which was such a fun and memorable experience. I was
also at the 2014 San Diego Camp-Conference as a committee member. I’m so
excited to come back and be part of the 2024 Washington D.C. Camp Conference! A little bit about me, I
graduated from college in 2020 and actually currently work/live in D.C as a
travel nurse (and I can’t say enough good things about this area!). I love to
travel, work out, and find new yummy food spots! So excited to meet you all
this summer! 🙂
Natalie Schneider
Assistant Camp Director
Colorado Springs
Hi friends! My name is Natalie Schneider and I am a Chinese adoptee living just north of Denver! I’m a Regis University graduate with a degree in Communication. I’ve been boppin around the Adopteen community since 2013, and have grown up attending other adoption camps and events since I was a little kid. I love plants, reading and cooking as well as photography, which I am trying to get back into this year! I’m thrilled to be back with Adopteen this summer and I am looking forward to meeting all of you super cool humans!
Paige Lewis
Committee Member
Washington, D.C. and Colorado Springs
Hello hello! My name is Paige and I currently reside in Kansas City, Missouri. I graduated from the University of Missouri – Columbia in 2022 and have since been working at a digital advertising company as a Programmatic Specialist that builds campaigns and reports out on performance for our client’s advertisements! In my free time, I enjoy reading webtoons, watching anime, drinking overpriced coffee, painting/drawing, and taking as many naps as humanly possible. I attended my first Adopteen as a camper in Denver 2017 and have continued coming back ever since! Adopteen is always a highlight of my year and I hope it will be for you too, regardless if you’re a returning camper or brand new! I hope to create the same loving, comfortable, and friendly environment I felt at my first Adopteen! Can’t wait to meet you and see what this summer holds!
Maddox Ciesluk
Committee Member
Washington, D.C. and Colorado Springs
Hi there, my name is Maddox Ciesluk, and I will be one of your committee leaders for this fun adventure. I was adopted from Hanzhong, China, at the age of 6. I started as a camper in 2017 but became a leader in 2020 and have been doing camp since. Currently, I attend Johnson & Wales University as a Culinary Science & Product Development student. My dream is to invent or be part of the next generation of innovative food that can change how we eat in the future or open a restaurant, whichever one comes first. I enjoy cooking and eating but hate cleaning up afterward. I also love playing video games, watching movies and anime, listening to music, and discussing food. I want to make this enjoyable for new and returning campers. I know we are going to have a blast!
Hannah Bouska
Committee Member
Washington, D.C.
Hey there! I’m Hannah Bouska, a recent graduate from Colorado State University. Currently, I’m a tenth grade English teacher and literacy specialist, putting my heart into my job. Originally adopted from Guangdong, China, I’ve spent most of my life in Boulder, CO. In my downtime, I enjoy reading, soaking up the sun, listening to podcasts, hitting the gym, playing soccer, and hanging out with friends. I’m passionate about cats, painting, SZA, and rescuing worms after rain. I’ve been involved with Adopteen since 2015, including attending the 2019 Adoptees Giving Back Orphanage Service Trip. This summer, I’m excited to take on a leadership role and be a positive role model for teens in the adoption community.
Liane McGuane
Committee Member
Washington, D.C.
Hola! My name is Lian and I am bilingual but not in Chinese. I was adopted from Hunan, China and I grew up and currently live in Binghamton NY. I graduated SUNY Broome and Geneseo University with an associate’s degree in physical therapy and a bachelors degree in Special Education and Spanish. I love watching anime and reality tv shows, playing video games on my switch, exploring new parks and going on long hikes, runs, and bike rides to relax. Fun fact- I studied in Spain, rode horses competitively and I have 4 pets!
I’ve been involved with Adopteen since 2017 North Carolina, and loved it so much I returned for 2018 Minnesota and 2019 Colorado. The following years I was busy at college but I’m excited for my return this summer and hope to create the welcoming and safe space I experienced back at my first Adopteen where I finally felt a sense of belonging!
Malia Recker
Committee Member
Colorado Springs
Hey everyone! I’m Malia Recker, originally from Anqing, China, now thriving in Grand Junction, Colorado. Currently, I’m a third-year student at Gonzaga University majoring in applied mathematics and computer science, with a minor in women’s and gender studies. My journey with Adopteen started as a camper in 2019 and 2021, transitioning to serving on the committee last year. When I’m not buried in homework, you can catch me hitting the slopes, scaling rocks, camping under the stars, or thrifting cool finds. I also enjoy spending quality time with friends and family and I’m a sucker for sour candy and popcorn! Serving on the camp committee last year was amazing, and I am thrilled about the prospect of bringing even more energy and fun to Colorado Springs! See you there!
Kaiya Tomasik
Committee Member
Colorado Springs
Hi everyone! My name is Kaiya and I’m adopted from Jiangxi, China! I’m from Orlando, Florida and I am currently a senior studying cellular neuroscience at FAU! I love learning about the brain, and my ultimate goal is to go to medical school and become a neurologist! I have been involved with adopteen since 2017 and have loved it ever since! I love my many animals at home and playing video games in my free time. You can also find me reading books as I absolutely love reading! Avocados are my favorite fruit, sloths are my favorite animals and they will forever have a special place in my heart! I am mostly looking forward to building strong relationships and unforgettable friendships with everyone!!! Can’t wait to meet you all!
Mira Raush
Committee Member
Colorado Springs
Hello! My name is Mira Rausch, one of your Adopteen counselors for this year! Currently I am a student at the University of Kansas studying Molecular Cellular Developmental Biology and minor in Health Information Management. I am from Luoyang China, and my Adopteen journey started in 2018 Denver, this year being my first as a counselor! When I’m not walking the endless hills of KU you can find me Chinese Lion dancing, working at the natural history museum, or at Clinton lake staring at the stars. I can’t wait to meet you all this summer!
Maddy Buetow
Committee Member
Colorado Springs
HI everybody! In my free time, I enjoy painting, biking, reading, and especially traveling -– last year, I was fortunate enough to visit six different countries! A fun fact about me is that I’m learning Russian.
This summer I’m looking forward to seeing new and old faces and creating some amazing memories with an amazing community!
Thanks to generous supporters, we have a wonderful Adopteen Scholarship Fund that exists solely to provide financial assistance to campers who are unable to cover the costs of attending an Adopteen Camp-Conference. Funds are distributed on a case-by-case basis.
Do not let the cost of registration keep you from accessing life-changing, empowering adoptee community connections. Apply for financial aid today!
Adopteen Camp-Conference in Washington, D.C.
Adopteen will provide FREE pick-up and drop-off for campers flying into either Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) or Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
Flight arrival times should be Monday, June 24, between 9:00AM – 1:00PM.
Flight departure times should be Friday, June 28, between 11:00AM – 4:00PM.
For Adopteen Camp-Conference in Colorado Springs, CO:
Adopteen will provide FREE pick-up and drop-off for campers flying into either Denver International Airport (DIA) or Colorado Springs Airport (COS).
For DIA, flight arrival times should be Monday, July 15, between 9:00AM – 1:00PM
- We will have airport shuttles pickup from DIA, with three scheduled pickup times: 11:00AM, 1:00PM, 3:00PM. Campers will be assigned to a scheduled pickup time as close to their arrival time as possible. Shuttles are volunteer drivers and can be relatively flexible with their wait time if a camper is delayed.
For DIA, flight departure times should be Saturday, July 20, between 12:00PM – 4:00PM
For COS, flight arrival times should be Monday, July 15, between 11:00AM – 4:00PM.
For COS, flight departure times should be Saturday, July 20, between 11:00AM – 2:00PM.
- Roommates and suite-mates must be the same gender identity.*
- Adults (18 & Older) cannot be roomed with Minors (13-17)
- Campers must sleep in their assigned beds
- Open door policy if room is being visited by campers other than those assigned to the room
*Gender neutral rooming options are available
Adopteen Camp-Conference refund policy is as follows:
- Any cancelation within 31 days prior to Camp-Conference is guaranteed a 100% full refund.
- Any cancelation between 30-14 days prior to Camp-Conference will be refunded to the best of our ability, minus any non-refundables that have already been paid by Adopteen to venues and merchants.
- Any cancelation between 13-0 days prior to Camp-Conference will receive 25% refund.
**If a camper is unable to attend Camp-Conference due to any unforeseen emergency or distress before or during Camp-Conference, we will do our best to refund as much as possible.