Two summer Girl Scout day camps focused on Hmong culture for girls of Hmong descent, Mai Time and Me Mai. Campers create crafts using Batik and cross-stitch techniques, participate in Hmong language-learning activities, and — for older girls — go on a field trip to Hmong Village in Saint Paul. Our photographer visited, and we collected perspectives from the girls for sharing.

Iris (photo Tessa Anderson, Girl Scouts River Valleys)

From Iris: This was my first time being at a camp for Hmong girls. I was excited to be at a camp for girls who look like me. Some girls were like me, and some were different, but we all had one thing in common: We are all a part of the Hmong community.

I learned about Hmong symbols and their meanings: the heart, the ram’s horn, the mountain, the snail, the elephant footprint, and the house. I used a few of the Hmong symbols and my own patterns on my Batik cloth. Some words and sentences that we learned in Hmong included my family tree, numbers, colors, food, and self-introduction.

I loved playing Hmong Bingo and the Fly Swatter game It helped me learn Hmong a little more. I liked that someone reminded us about self-care and our mental health.

On the last day of camp, we had a bunch of fun stations. I got to make my own affirmation mirror, sew my own scrunchie, make my own Hmong hat, learn how to put on Hmong clothes, make air clay charms, and had an amazing photo shoot.

Abbey: The part I like most about camp was arts and craft about the Mai culture. The camp was challenging but fun! Something we did in camp that I enjoyed was Batik.

One of the campers plays a camp identifying colors in Hmong. She needs to hit the right color on the wall (photo Sarah Whiting)

Annabelle: The fun part of camp is that we learn about Hmong culture, and the games we played were fun. I liked how we also learn about mental health. Something new that I learned was Paj Ntaub (traditional cross stitching).

Caroline: I like camp because I got to learn Hmong and spend time with my teachers and friends. My favorite part of camp was learning the language and games.

Kaylen: New things I learn in camp were Batik and Paj Ntaub. I enjoyed learning about Hmong and trying out Hmong activities, playing games and making new friends. The challenging part about camp was speaking in Hmong.

One of the games played at camp (photo Sarah Whiting)

Olivia: My favorite part about camp was all the fun games we played. Something new that I learned was making a self-introduction in Hmong. It was fun, but a bit embarrassing to say it because I’m still learning.

Paige: I think everyone should come and join us and eat the yummy food and learn Hmong. Learning was fun, because we get to play games while we learn. My favorite game was Hmong Bingo.

Scarlett: My favorite part was eating a lot of yummy Hmong food, learning how to play “dhia yas” (Hmong Jump Rope), and learning more Hmong.

Campers race to hit the correct color that had been called out in Hmong (photo Sarah Whiting)

Jade: I liked how we used games to learn the language, work together and meet other Hmong kids. Something I learn that was new is Batik. This is a great intro class to learn about Hmong culture and language.

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