Education South Korea Project #73208

Empower Her Future: Girls' Mentorship in Korea

by Korean Kids and Orphanage Outreach Mission

Project Report | Oct 27, 2026
A Summer of Firsts: KKOOM's Busan Wellness Camp

By Vivian Hark | Admin and Operations Coordinator

This August, KKOOM’s Girls’ Empowerment and Mentorship (GEM) Program brought a group of girls to Busan for four days away from their everyday routines. For many, it was a summer of firsts: seeing the ocean, trying paddleboarding, and watching fireworks from a yacht at sunset. However, the camp was about more than new experiences. It gave the girls a chance to slow down, build friendships, and discover what they were capable of when given the encouragement and space to try something new.

New Experiences and Challenges

Four themes shaped the week: Make Waves, Dive In, Go With the Flow, and Rise Together. Each theme had its own purpose, guiding the girls through activities that encouraged creativity, courage, balance, and teamwork.

On our first day, Make Waves, the girls explored their creativity by making tie-dyed t-shirts and beaded pens. Like waves creating ripples across the water, the theme encouraged the girls to express themselves and feel confident in what makes them unique.

The next day, Dive In put that courage to the test. At Gwangalli Beach, the girls tried paddleboarding for the first time. Strong winds and rougher waves made it more challenging than expected, and some were nervous before even getting on their boards. By the end of the paddleboarding session, the girls’ confidence had grown immensely. What started as a very intimidating task actually became some of their best memories.

Go With the Flow offered a different kind of growth. A visit to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple gave the girls time to take in the coastal scenery, while yoga offered a chance to slow down and recharge. The day ended with a sunset yacht cruise along the Busan coastline, complete with fireworks. After days filled with new experiences, these moments gave everyone a chance to relax and enjoy being together.

On the final day, Rise Together brought the focus to teamwork and trust. During a shark anatomy game one student was blindfolded while her teammates guided her through assembling the shark. Success depended on clear communication and learning to rely on one another. The girls then visited Busan Sea Life Aquarium to see sharks up close, bringing their activity to life.

Each theme offered a different lesson, but the heart of the week was the same: giving the girls opportunities to explore, challenge themselves, and support one another. Some of the most meaningful moments, however, happened outside the planned activities.

Building Meaningful Connections

Beyond the scheduled activities, some of the most meaningful moments happened naturally. During one-on-one shopping trips with volunteers, students had the chance to share their interests, talk about their dreams, and enjoy an adult’s undivided attention. One volunteer was initially unsure how to connect with her student, but everything changed when they stumbled upon merchandise featuring the girl’s favorite anime character. They spent the rest of their time exploring the store together, excited to have found something they both enjoyed. Moments like this offered our volunteers a glimpse into the girls’ individual personalities and interests beyond the group setting.

Thank You for Making a Difference

To everyone who donated to this summer’s Busan Wellness Camp campaign, thank you for helping make these experiences possible! Your generosity gave these girls an opportunity to create long lasting memories this summer. We are grateful to have you as part of the KKOOM community and for your continued support of the children and youth we serve.

Want to learn more about KKOOM’s programs and the young people we support? Visit our website to read more GEM Program stories and explore our ongoing initiatives.

You can also help spread the word by sharing KKOOM’s work with your network. Every effort helps us continue creating meaningful opportunities for Korean children and youth.

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Jul 6, 2026
Riding the Waves: Reflections From Our Busan Camp

By Leah Garlock | Executive Director

What a late-night boat ride taught us about rest, growth, and letting go...

Last summer, KKOOM ran back-to-back camps. It was a wonderful opportunity for the students we work with, but in full transparency, it was no easy feat.

The first week, we held a co-ed sports camp in Seoul. Between the summer heat and a packed schedule with countless moving pieces, we had to stay flexible and adapt to everyone's needs in real time.

A Different Kind of Refreshing

Coming into our Busan Wellness Camp for our Girls' Empowerment and Mentorship (GEM) Program felt refreshing, both literally and figuratively. The days were still full, but this time we were by the ocean. Just the opportunity to get into the water seemed to lift everyone's mood.

For many of the students we work with, traveling to cities outside their children's homes is nearly impossible given strict safety guidelines and packed daily schedules. Summer is peak vacation season, and it's one of the few times these students, who are also busy with school, after-school programs, and tutoring, can simply rest, recover, and play.

Camping trips to the mountains and lakes are some of the most cherished childhood memories many of us carry. Nothing fancy, just time outdoors, but it only feels natural that swimming and summer should go hand-in-hand. It's something we hope every child gets to experience.

Fireworks, Waves, and the Quiet Moments That Changed Everything

Last year, one of the most memorable moments of camp was also one of the simplest: a late-night yacht ride, complete with fireworks and K-pop music. We watched the girls' initial nervousness about their first boat ride wash away as they leaned into the bounce of the waves. Their squeals rang out as the water lapped against the boat and their first fireworks show lit up the night sky above them. It was another magical moment we've had the privilege of witnessing with the students we work with.

There was an indescribable lightness to it. For a camp built around mindfulness, movement, and healthy living, this moment felt like pure release. The energy lifted, much like the heat of the day had. In that moment, we could all just breathe, without the weight of tomorrow, school, or life pressing in.

It was, in many ways, exactly what this camp set out to do.

Building on What Works

This summer, as we planned our programming, we wanted to be more focused and intentional. Instead of running two separate camps, we consolidated into one, and with the help of our volunteer team and KKOOM Board, we've made thoughtful improvements along the way. What isn't broken, we don't fix. Instead, we're adapting the experience for a new group of girls this summer, many of whom have never been to Busan before and are simply excited to see the sea.

Beyond what our girls will learn about the sea, its creatures, and themselves, we hope they'll also learn, much like water does, to go with the flow. Camp runs four full days, each built around its own theme.

Four Days, Four Themes

Day 1: Make Waves
Discover your creative voice and express it through hands-on making and doing.

Day 2: Dive In
Build courage, face challenges head-on, and take bold steps outside your comfort zone.

Day 3: Go with the Flow
Find balance in body and mind through movement and mindfulness.

Day 4: Rise Together
Build teamwork and communication skills, and learn the power of lifting each other up.

As one of our favorite K-pop groups, BTS, likes to remind us, the “best moment is yet to come.”

Help Us Give These Girls Another Summer of Firsts

For these students, camp is more than a getaway. It's a space to build confidence, rest and unwind, and feel truly supported. Our goal this year is to raise $5,000 and give these girls a summer they'll never forget.

Your gift helps us provide everything campers need for an unforgettable experience, from items like workbooks and swim gear, to experiences like group activities, transportation, and lodging. We're especially excited to give the girls their very own swimsuits, something none of them currently own.

Want to be part of the journey? Follow along with camp prep and behind-the-scenes moments on Instagram or Facebook, or sign up for our newsletter on our website.

Excited to have you on board!

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Mar 10, 2026
Building the Next Chapter of the GEM Program

By Leah Garlock | Executive Director

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