Whatshan Lake Retreat was transformed into a little community during August long weekend as families invaded the grounds for the annual Mehaber family get-together. A menagerie of cultural diversity spread out through the trees, as the grounds took on a community orientated quality, the likes of which some of us remember growing up in: a place where families look after each other; kids ride their bikes freely; and conversation, food and hospitality are openly shared.
Mehaber is an Ethiopian word that, when translated, means a “gathering of friends and family”. The name was an obvious fit for the camp that has been taking place at Whatshan Lake Retreat for the last five years.
Head organizer, Tam Mickel–working in cooperation with other like-minded parents who have adopted interracial children–organized the fun-filled family camp as a response to their unique parenting challenges.
“There was not a lot of opportunity for our daughter to hang out with interracial kids in Nelson,” Tam explains. “We knew some other interracial parents in the area and we decided to organize our own camp.”
The camp’s first year hosted eight families from around the Kootenay’s. Now, five years later, Mehaber is host to over 21 families with 47 children in attendance. The families are primarily from western Canada, with this year’s long distance award going to a family who traveled to Whatshan from Toronto.
“It’s a chance for the kids to hang out and be kids without having to explain themselves to anyone,” Tam shares. “Everyone here gets it.”
The unique experience is accentuated with a loose schedule of activities for the children interwoven with opportunities for parents to network and discuss the unique challenges of raising interracial children.
“It’s really special,” Mickel smiles. “The families work hard to make the camp happen. Everyone pitches in.”