Hawaii Diaspora Camps – Crossroads

🌺 Hawaii Diaspora Camps

The Hawaii Diaspora Camp has been held three times so far—in 2022, 2023, and 2024. The camp was envisioned and is organized by Ági Törteli, who, together with the parent community of the Hawaii Hungarian School, brings together families with children each Thanksgiving for a five-day camp that uniquely blends Hungarian and Hawaiian culture.

The campers gather on the island of O‘ahu. Some arrive from other Hawaiian islands, some from California, and even from the East Coast of the United States. The program is centered around the children, but it also offers plenty of engaging activities for the parents.

Attila Egyedi has participated in all three camps: twice as a folk dance instructor, and in all three years he has served as the camp’s musical director.

Each camp is built around a central theme or narrative, and every element of the program is designed to support that story.

Beyond the thematic framework, one of the most memorable elements of the camps has been the musical and dance activities:

Ukulele Workshops: Attila and Beáta have passionately taught ukulele to both adults and children. Thanks to the ukulele’s simplicity, learners quickly found success, strumming and singing Hungarian children’s songs, folk tunes, and light pop songs.
Evening Campfire Songs: Every evening, adult participants gathered around the campfire for communal singing led by Attila with his guitar, recalling their youth and evoking nostalgia through music and shared memories.
Music-Themed Quiz Nights: In the second and third camps, exciting music quizzes were held, where participants could test their pop-rock knowledge—both factual and audio-based.
Closing Events: After the camps, the week concluded with a Crossroads Band concert featuring Beáta Váncza in 2023, and a park táncház (dance party) with Gergő Bolgovics in 2024.
Folk Dance Instruction: Attila led folk dance workshops for children and adults in both the first and second camps. In the second camp, he was joined by Beáta. In the third camp, dance instruction was provided by Gergő Bolgovics.