History

Prior to 2001, Vietnamese students from different schools had their own agendas. Although the agendas may differ in the methods but they were similar in the mission. With a common goal of promoting Vietnamese culture, a small but energetic group of aspiring Vietnamese leaders from several Vietnamese Student Associations (VSA’s) in the Washington Metropolitan area held a meeting to share resources among the many schools. From this gathering, Ket Doan camp was initiated.

After a grueling summer of late night and early morning meetings, the first ever Ket Doan camp was held on October 6, 2001 near Front Royal, Virginia. Among the muddy trails and in that cold mountain air, bonds were formed while singing around the campfire and huddling together in cabins to fight the chilly night. From each other, we learned new games, new stories, and legends as students once over a hundred miles apart became friends. Differences in backgrounds, and cultures were not set aside; they were celebrated. In our diversity, we found strength because we had found a common ground.

All told, a total of seventy-five students, representing eight different university and colleges were in attendance. Participants responded with high praise towards the workshops and games designed to promote teamwork, and cultural awareness, including a scavenger hunt based on Vietnamese folk tales, and a campfire talent show.

Fall, 2002. It started with a simple email, or an occasional instant message. "Hey wasn't that fun? Wouldn't it be a great to do it again?" Then the chattering grew, and rhetorical questions became serious. With the successes of the first camp still visible, the organizers set about to build upon their gains. To help buffer from the transient nature of student run groups, it was decided that Ket Doan must be independently operated from the VSA's but with their support. A constitution was drawn, and the first board members were elected in November 2002.

With the support of the community, and such groups as Maryland Vietnamese Mutual Association, Ket Doan has grown in scope and size. And though some of the originators have moved on, fresh faces and fresh ideas promise to make Ket Doan as effective as ever in realizing its vision.