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Gandhi Camp

 

Gandhi Camp (Overnight camp in Olema, CA)

REGISTER NOW The Camp is from August 4th-11th, 2012 for childrens in grades 5-12.Celebrating its 25th year of service, the Gandhi Youth camp has given an opportunity to hundreds of our youth to learn Gandhian principles of truthfulness, tolerance and self-help. This overnight camp emphasizes teamwork, leadership and unity. This camp stresses the following values:

  • Self-help and self-discipline
  • Friendship and mutual respect
  • Service to others
  • Truth and honesty
  • Non-violence and love
  • Respect for the environment
  • Integrated physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual development

These values allow the child to grow and evolve as a person.Daily Activities include: community service projects, Sports, Cultural activities, Discussions, and Friendship-building group games.The Schedule for camp is as follows

  • 6:00 - 6:15 a.m. - Wake UP
  • 6:55 a.m. - Morning Meditation/Activity and Talk by Subba Raoji
  • 7:30 a.m. - Breakfast
  • 8:15 a.m. - Morning Assembly - Exercise and Announcements
  • 8:30 a.m. - Karma Yoga - Community Service Projects
  • 11:30 a.m. - Showers and free time
  • 12:30 p.m. - Lunch
  • 1:00 p.m - Rest and free time
  • 2:30 p.m. - Afternoon Activity (2 p.m. if extended time activity)
  • 4:00 p.m. - Break and afternoon snacks
  • 4:30 p.m. - Games led by Subba Raoji (Everyone participates together)
  • 5:15 p.m. - Yoga led by Vivek Shandas, others
  • 6:00 p.m. - Break
  • 6:30 p.m. - Evening all-religion prayers, songs and talks by Subba Raoji
  • 7:00 p.m. - Dinner
  • 8:00 p.m. - Evening Discussions and Activity
  • 9:30 p.m. - Adjourn and prepare for bedtime
  • 10:00 p.m. - Lights out

Hear first hand from our campers:

First-Time Camper
By Dheyani Malde

   When I first arrived, I was filled with nervousness and worries. I did not know anyone and what the camp was like. After the first day had passed, I became more confident and enjoyed myself. This has been one of the best camp experiences I have ever had to date. These days were long, but we were kept busy. From dusk to dawn, there was something to do. Although I had to wake up early in the morning, a session of meditation wore my body and mind up. During meditation, all the campers would sing prayers of various religions led by Subba Raoji. Yoga is a time of relaxation and calmness led by Vivek. When I first thought of community service (karmayoga), I thought of hard, never-ending labour. But I learned lots of information about nature and had an interesting experience. The scrumptious meals were deliciously cooked by the fellow campers. Gandhi Camp was an great experience for me. I had lots of fun and didn’t have a chance to become bored.

First Glances of Gandhi Camp

By Karunya Venugopal
When I first came to Gandhi Camp, I was expecting to be extremely homesick since I am a first-timer. Instead, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It is a different kind of camp hence being very interesting.
We have to wake up by 6 AM. We begin by relaxing in peaceful meditation by Subba Raoji. Then we eat a nourishing breakfast—breakfast being the most important meal of the day! After that we do our community service, which lasts three hours. Tasks vary from gardening, raking, trailblazing, and weeding. After our work, we are completely exhausted and ready for our showers. Then we go for lunch. After lunch we play fun afternoon games. We have a break and some fruit and juice for a snack, and get ready to stretch every muscle in our body in yoga. After yoga we settle down for some peaceful meditation before dinner. Then we have our evening discussions about topics such as what we can do to make the world a better place. We have to sleep—lights have to be out by ten o’clock.
We have lots of fun games as well. We played Jeopardy and had a talent show and some cultural programs. On the last day we perform our cultural program to the adults. Each team creates and performs a skit.
I had a wonderful experience at Gandhi Camp. I strongly recommend this for future world leaders and peace-makers. •