VAHSA and UVSA

Founded in 1990 as a general Vietnamese summer culture camp, Trại Hè Về Với Non Sông brought together youth from across Southern California to enjoy a weekend of fun and excitement. Twenty years later, a new generation of leaders stepped up in UVSA. In 2001, these leaders transitioned away from an open camp to UVSA Camp which specifically targeted collegiate VSA leaders. In 2003, UVSA legends Mike Vu and Vu Dinh wanted to take what they had been learning at prior UVSA Camps and expand on camp programming to give back to our younger brothers and sisters in high school. They founded Project LEAD (Leadership Education And Development) which would be the umbrella project to UVSA Camp and then newly introduced VAHSA Camp.

Project LEAD continues to impact hundreds of high school and college students every year by providing participants with the knowledge and tools to become effective leaders in their schools and in their communities. Focusing on the importance of community cohesion and unity, the camps also provide an opportunity for students to network with each other and establish skills that reinforce mutual collaboration and instills an appreciation for the Vietnamese American identity, cultural heritage and a sense of belonging. 

Additionally, Project LEAD has inspired leaders from across the country to innovate upon or even create their own leadership camps in other parts of the country. This year marks the 19th annual UVSA Camp and 17th annual VAHSA Camp and we are proud to continue to bring together students from throughout Southern California to build an alliance of young leaders with a common vision of strengthening the Vietnamese community.