Khmer Maine photo
Cambodian-American families had the opportunity to connect with nature at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument with support from MaineCF's Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Fund.
Khmer Maine is a nonprofit organization that works to improve the quality of life for Cambodian people in Maine.
The two-night camping trip in August was part of Khmer Maine's cross-generational, nature-based approach to its youth and family programming. The goal of the program is to connect Cambodian youth and families to the land, woods, rivers, lakes, and oceans to form a stronger connection to Maine while exploring, discussing, and developing their identities as Cambodian Americans.
Four children and eight adults learned how the Katahdin region was formed and how to fend off black bears that call the area home.
Khmer Maine photo
Nature is important in Cambodian and Buddhist culture and taking this approach helps to connect the many pieces of the Cambodian-American experience in Maine together. Khmer Maine works to break down barriers to Maine opportunities and experiences that Cambodian youth and families would not otherwise have had.
