Hip Wah Summer Program
A Chinese American Cultural Enrichment Program

Events



About Hip Wah

Contra Costa Times articleHip Wah Summer Program serves children in grades 1-7. Based in Oakland, California, the program is run by teachers and supported by parent participation. It is held for four weeks during the summer at Redwood Day School in Oakland.

Hip Wah was founded in 1984 by Kalei Inn Lam and Shirlaine Kee Balwin, who wanted to create a summer enrichment program that encouraged strong self-image and identity through Chinese and Chinese American cultural studies. This included developing Chinese speaking, reading, and writing skills, and providing exposure to Chinese arts and culture. The first program was located at the Berkeley Chinese Community Church in Berkeley, Calif.

Hip Wah is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving the East Bay community, with an all-volunteer Board of Directors.

Classes

  • Classes are Monday through Friday, from 9 am - 2 pm.
  • Hip Wah offers an optional before care (7:45 am – 8:45 am) and aftercare program (2 pm - 6 pm daily) for an additional fee. For more information, see the Fee List.
  • Children may bring their own lunch or buy lunch provided by Hip Wah at $3.50/lunch. A lunch menu can be downloaded in the Forms section.
  • Class names are based on the Chinese zodiac symbol associated with the students’ birth year:
    • Monkey (1st grade level)
    • Sheep (2nd grade level)
    • Horse (3rd grade level)
    • Snake (4th grade level)
    • Dragon (5th grade level)
    • Hip Wah 2 (6th grade and higher with music instruction)
    • Hip Wah 3 (closed)

2010 Schedule

  • Application - Online application opens at 9 am PST, Saturday, Feb. 6
  • Deadline for Application fee ($60), Feb. 19
  • Program Acceptance Emails Sent, March 9
  • Program fees and completed registration packet due, April 30
  • Program Orientation - Monday, June 28, 8:30 am-9:30am, at Redwood Day School
  • Program & School Set-up/ Aides Training - June 26, at Redwood Day School
  • Program - June 28 to July 23 (Monday, July 5 is a holiday), at Redwood Day School
  • Open House/Food Fest - Saturday, July 17, 10am-12pm
    • 9am - Set up
    • 9:30am-11:30am - Program
    • 11:30am-12pm - Clean up
  • Music Program - Saturday, July 24 (Redwood Day School, Time TBA)

Board of Directors 2009-2010

President: Denise Jin
Vice-President: JoAnn Mar
Treasurer: Sandra Montgomery
Registrar: Tammy Yuen
Secretary: Lisa Quan
Parent Participation: JoAnn Mar, David Won
Site Director: Darice Soo Hoo

Members-At-Large: Crystal Jang
T-shirts: Crystal Jang

Recent Photos

 

Chinese in America