January – June, 2010
Sejong Miracle STEPS Parenting Class

Two classes of Early Childhood STEPS for fathers and mothers were successfully completed.  Sejong offers two terms of Miracle STEPS (Systematic Training for Empowered Parents and Students) classes during the Fall and Spring to parents and students.

Julia S. Park, Executive Director of Sejong, taught Korean Music and dance to the students of Democracy Prep Charter School (DPCS) in Harlem, New York.  This hands-on learning through playing Korean traditional musical instruments provided an opportunity for the American students to learn and experience the Korean culture and see how the Korean people express their inner feelings through music and dance.  12 students learned “Poongmul Nori” and completed 12 classes and performed at DPCS’ First Korean Festival Day on June 11, 2010.

8 Korean American students (7th – 9th graders) with volunteer assistant counselor, Justin Park, completed 8 weeks of Mentor and Leadership Training course before the Korea trip.

We had our Second Annual Fundraising Dinner at the Palisadium restaurant in New Jersey.  The opening of Dinner started with Song Hee Lee Dance Company’s “Sounds of Korea” Drum dance performance. We had a special guest, Aie Ree Jung, President of InKAS (International Korean Adoptee Service, Inc.) from Seoul Korea. We also featured “2009 Sejong Trip to Korea” documentary.  More than 250 Sejong’s friends, families and supporters joined our celebration.

Julia S. Park from Sejong provided 12 weeks of Korean Music and Dance lessons to 12 students of Democracy Prep Charter School (DPCS) in Harlem, New York. 12 students who have completed “Poongmul-nori” lessons, performed at DPCS First Korean Festival Day in front of more than 200 families and school administrators.

July 1 – July 14, 2010
2010 Sejong Trip to Korea

38 participants including Korean adoptees, adoptive families, Korean-American students, and 3 educators from Bergen County in New Jersey joined our trip.  We had 3 nights of home-stay in Seoul and toured various cities in Korea including Jeju Island, Gwangju, Tongyoung, Ulsan, and 1 night of temple stay at Socho. We visited adoption agencies, children’s disable home, school and DMZ then returned back home safely.

Thanks to everyone’s great support at our Fundraising Dinner, we are happy and able to offer our Teen Trek program again this year.  Teen Trek is a camping trip that is run by members of Camp Sejong staff.  It is a trip that grants the older campers a chance to bond with the leaders and other campers before camp starts.  The trip included a real outdoor camping experience, white water rafting, and talks around the camp fire. This year, 21 campers (aged between 14 and up) including counselors had a wonderful time.

The focus of this year camp was “Current Events”.  More than 70 campers enjoyed fun activities and Korean cultural programs.  We had two volunteer teachers from InKAS (International Korean Adoptee Service, Inc.) from S. Korea and many dedicated counselors and experienced teachers returned to inspire our children.
Our special guest speaker was Tae Hun Kim, the author of “War with Pigeons”.  He shared his personal story about his book and family with our campers.