travel – 华府青年 CYOC

Bridging Heritage and Future: Exploring China Through a 10-Day Summer Camp in Shanghai and Zhejiang

Author: Olivia Li

From July 27th to August 5th, I had the honor of participating in a 10-day summer camp organized by Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, ZUAA-GWDC Foundation, and Capital Youth Outreach Club (CYOC). Nearly 30 students, including myself, were given the incredible opportunity to explore different parts of China. We visited bustling cities like Shanghai and Hangzhou, where swarming streets were filled with vendors, tourists, and the irresistible aroma of fresh food. We also experienced the charm of smaller and more rural areas such as Xiandu and Heyang Ancient House in Jinyun City. For someone like me, who had never been to China before, this was a priceless and memorable chance to connect with the unique culture and lifestyle of my motherland.

THE 2025 YOUTH SUMMER OLYMPICS: A GRAND SUCCESS

George Wang

SWE & CYOC Create an Unforgettable Summer Celebration Together!

By George Wang

On August 1, 2025, despite the morning drizzle and overcast skies, Anacostia Park in Washington, D.C., hosted a vibrant and joyful event — the 2025 Youth Summer Olympics. Organized by So What Else (SWE) and Capital Youth Outreach Club (CYOC) in collaboration with several local nonprofit partners, the event brought together over 380 summer camp participants from the Greater Washington area for a day filled with fun, sports, and meaningful connections.

Chinese Culture Festival – 2024

Author: Lucas Chen

If you went to Capitol Hill on August 31, 2024, you would have found Tai Chi performers, people playing Go, lion and dragon dances, and stuffed pandas. This is no normal day in DC, it’s the Chinese Culture Festival. Every year since 1993, it draws hundreds of people to gather at Capitol Hill, and clearly NOT for any political event.

The culture festival was created to spread awareness of Chinese culture, hence the name. Last year, my service group, Capitol Youth Outreach Club, volunteered at this festival, and my job was to walk around the city and do some advertising. This year, I switched to the reporter group. My job this time around was to take pictures and videos and write a report on the festival.

2024 Chinese Culture Festival

Author: Mia Gu

The Chinese Culture Festival is a yearly event held in Washington D.C. Capitol Hill; this year being held on August 31st. Entering the event, you can experience all different types of Chinese cuisines, cultural games like Go, and many traditional Chinese acts including Tai Chi, Peking operas, lion dances, and more serving as a great opportunity for foreigners to learn about Chinese culture. As part of the Capital Youth Outreach Club, it is my job to write an article highlighting special, and unique parts of the event.