If you have a question about Gladney's Bright Futures Camp, email us! We'll post the answer to this page.

Questions and Answers

Q: Can I choose to be a sponsor only family?
A: While sponsor only families are needed as a backup in the rare case of a family emergency, we are hoping to place all of the children in sponsor-to-adopt families.

Q: We already know we would like to adopt an older Ethiopian child, can we forego the camp experience?
A: Absolutely, we have many children available to discuss with you depending on your criteria.

Q: What is required to be a sponsor family?
A: Sponsor families are required to complete:

• A Sponsor family Application Form - This form collects information that helps us in discussing your desire to participate in our program.
• A Sponsoring Agreement - Families are required to comply with some guidelines for participating in the program. Those details are presented in this document.
• A "Release of Liability Agreement" - This Agreement is between the Sponsor Family and Gladney and spells out what is expected of each party as it relates to the Bright Futures Camp.
• Background Check - A criminal record check as well as a state child abuse clearance is required.
• When a family decides to adopt, the record check by the FBI can be used to fulfill one of the home study requirements. Specific directions for obtaining the background clearance for your program can be obtained by contacting the Program Coordinator.
• Families will also need to schedule a home study. If a family is intending to adopt, the home study will be used and will cut down on the time required to complete the process. This visit is arranged through our office.
• Orientation Meetings - One or two orientation meetings are required before the program begins to help families prepare for the hosting experience.

Q: What if we're not in a position to adopt but want to help?
A: There are many ways to help as sometimes there is a need for a "non-adopting" family to sponsor a child. This is a great way to serve a child and advocate for the child by opening their homes to visitors and answering any questions a potential adopting family may have. There are opportunities to provide host accommodations and providing meals in your homes for the adult escorts. Lastly, there are volunteer positions that provide opportunities for participation and service. Complete the online "Bright Futures Camp - Ethiopia/Adoption Information Sheet" on our Web site, note your interest in participating as a volunteer on the form, and you will be contacted with details.

We always are in need of financial assistance to help fund the camps. If you are interested, please contact the program coordinator.

Q: Are the children given a medical exam before attending the camp?
A: All children are examined by a U.S. Embassy approved physician and are tested for Hep B, Hep C, HIV and Syphilis. Children with special medical needs will be identified as such prior to coming to the camp so you will be assured of their health status before making a commitment.

Q: What about medical needs of the children while they are here in the U.S.?
A: As part of your hosting fees, Gladney purchases a health insurance policy with a small deductible in case any of the children happen to need medical attention while they are here. We also require that families are willing to take the children for a check-up by keeping appointments made with pediatricians and dentists who have donated their services for these children's care.

Q: What are the costs to participate as a Host Family?
A: There is the home study fee of $1,000 and a hosting fee paid to Gladney in the amount of $2,500. You will also be responsible for the child's food and activities during their visit. The ½ of your fee is due approximately 2 months before the children arrive.

Q: What if we want to participate in the program but live outside the local area?
A: Families living outside the local area but within driving distance may go ahead and host, understanding that they will be required to attend at least two gatherings of all hosting families. This may affect the hosting program experience for the interested family, but still creates an opportunity for the child to meet a family.

Q: How old are the children?
A: The children who participate in the Bright Futures Camp are between 7 and 14 years old. Sometimes a sibling group is available for the camp. Children younger than 7 are usually too immature for the travel required.

Q: What is the process if we meet a child in the program whom we want to adopt?
A: Host families are asked to make their intentions known by the end of the program, at which time an adoption services agreement is executed and fee paid.
After the children return to Ethiopia, families gather their dossier (paperwork) and submit it to Gladney to initiate the adoption process. Once a completed dossier is sent to Ethiopia, families can expect to travel about 2 months later.

Q: What if the child we are hosting don't match our family dynamics?
A: Our desire is to give each child an opportunity to meet their forever family. If a child is not working out with their hosting family, we want to be able to introduce them to other interested families while there is still time during their visit.

Q: My spouse and I are both in our early 50's. Can we adopt one of these children? What about suggested lower age limit?
A: Families with spouses in their mid-fifties have successfully adopted children in the 7-14 year old range. Ethiopia is flexible regarding age of the spouses for older children.

For spouses less than 30 years of age, please discuss your specific situation with us.

Q: What if we're going on a family vacation during the program? What options are open to us?
A: The Bright Futures Camp provides a wonderful support network for our hosting families. There are at least two group activities and translators to help with communication. We feel families need to be available in the local area during the program in order to be able to make the decision about adoption.

Q: What if both of host parents work during the day?
A: We require at least on parent take a leave of work in order to participate in the program since it is important for the children to get acquainted with their host families.

Q: What do the children do during the day?
A: You may want to have a play day with other families in the program so the children can see their friends and continue to speak in their own language. That familiarity can assist them to adjust and feel secure. You may also want to plan activities that are part of your family's excursions which will provide meaningful and memorable content to the days. Plan a trip to a nearby park or swimming pool, the zoo, lake, children's park, etc.

Q: Why do the children have to go back to Ethiopia?
A: The children visit the U.S. on a visitor's visa that expires in 30 days. Both the Ethiopian government and the U.S. government expect the children and adult visitors to return according to international guidelines. The visitor's visa provides the opportunity for the children to visit interested families. A permanent stay with a family requires much more extensive paperwork to be completed and a formal adoption proceeding in Ethiopia.

Q: How long does it take to complete the paperwork and travel to get our child?
A: Much of the answer to this question depends on how quickly you get your paperwork completed. You will already have a home study, so the earliest would be around 4 or 5 months.

Q: Do both parents have to go to Ethiopia?
A: No, but Gladney strongly encourages both to travel especially adopting an older child. The children will want you to see where they have lived and it gives parents a better perspective and insight into the background of their child. The adopting couple will need to be in Ethiopia for 7 to 9 days to complete the in-country process.

The economic conditions in Ethiopia are difficult and families suffer from poverty, illnesses and stress. Many of the children are without living parents, are birthed by unmarried women, or have been removed because of abuse or neglect in the home. Not all the children in orphanages are adoptable, so Gladney employs and American couple who live in Addis and visit the orphanages on a regular basis to identify which children will be the most successful in an American adopting home. All children coming to the camp will be legally adoptable.

Q: How probable is it that we could host a young child under 7 years old?
A: In this case if you are looking to adopt, we would recommend that you forego the camp and proceed with the normal adoption process as it is very hard on the younger children to travel and take in so much in a short two week period.

Q: Do sibling groups participate in this program?
A: Siblings groups do participate in the program, although fewer families are willing to consider adoption of sibling groups. If you are interested in adopting two or more children, you will have a higher probability of being matched with the sibling group of your choice. Gladney reduces our fees for additional children in the sibling group.

1-800-INT-ADOP