Yogoda satsanga sakha Ashram organized two separate camps for girls and boys in the month of May – June 2016.
Girls Camp :-
It was the first How to live summer camp for girls, which was scheduled from 18th May to 22nd May 2016. 41 Girls of 11-13 years from all over India participated in it. Participants started swirling in the Ashram with their parents on 17th of May. About 30 volunteers offered their sincere and untiring services day and night and make the program a giant success. Evening of the day was meant for ice breaking whence the participants and the volunteers were made to be introduced with one another and became the part of a divine family of Guruji.
Camp was inaugurated with prayer and chanting. Opening address was delivered by a senior devotee Ms Urmila Bakshi. In the orientation of the camp, the detailed program along with daily schedule, do’s and don’ts were explained.
A capsule of different craft projects – Interior decoration and Housekeeping, dress designing, photography and basics of Music; work projects - Fundamentals of effective communication, Food and simple cooking, Yogasnas and Vedic Maths were provided to the girls. Interactive talks and discussions on Why and How to meditate, getting along with others and service at home and work place were included. The participants took active part and enjoyed all the classes.
In three short sessions of chanting meditation, they learnt chants, right posture of meditation, breathing exercises and sitting in silence. Poem recitation and storytelling competitions were arranged wherein most of the participants took part and displayed their best. Games and sports sessions having kho-kho, kabaddi, pithu garam balloon race etc., were most liked by the girls.
The participants along with their volunteers were full of zeal and cheers. They all beat the heat of 47 degree with a beautiful blend of their courage and interest along with lemon water at intervals.
The program was closed with a colorful and enchanting cultural program performed by the participants. It was attended by the parents who came to take their wards. They were overwhelmed and full of gratitude towards our blessed Gurus. The girls seemed unwilling to leave the ashram. They were heard saying,” Oh God ,22nd May should come after one year.”
God and Gurus provided a niche in the ashram to all their children.
HOW TO LIVE SUMMER CAMP FOR BOYS - 2016
The fourth summer camp of boys aged 12-13 was held from 29th of May to 4th of June. 39 Boys from all over India participated in it. They were divided into 6 groups, headed by two leaders. Fully equipped ashram did their welcome with their parents on 28th of May to leave them for How to live training of Pramahansa Yogananda. In the evening of the day, Br Dhairyanandaji, coordinator of the camp took the session of Ice breaking in order to introduce the participants and volunteers with one another.
The program was inaugurated on 29th of May, with lighting of lamp by Sw Hiteshanandaji followed by prayer chanting and an opening discourse. Swamiji inspired the boys to be receptive for the things they would be provided during the camp. He appreciated them telling that they were chosen by God and Guru for that blessed opportunity. Br Dhairyanandaji presented an orientation of the camp explaining all the details of the program, do’s and don’ts. The participants were given a bag comprising a copy of program schedule, daily schedule, chants of Guruji, Sunderkand, diary, cap, T shirt and a stationery kit.
A set of classes was beautifully composed. It had six work projects e.g. public speaking, audio, effective communication music and emergency handling; six craft projects e.g. yogasnas, environment, vedic maths, food art and housekeeping, photography and first aid. In the Class of Energization Exercises, they were taught all 38 exercises
In the morning of the whole week, Gurukatha was narrated by Br Dhairyanandaji mixed with melodious and simple Bhajans and in the evening Br Bhaskarannada took the session of Sunderkand. All were full of zeal and devotion.
In three sessions of short meditation and chanting they learnt prayers, chanting, breathing exercises and sitting in silence.
The most awaited period of camp was the games and sports wherein they were made to play Rugby coached by an expert, handball and Cricket. The scorching heat of May – June could not prevent them to enjoy everything. They are ready to tie their belts there and then for the next year. The boys of 13 made a request to allow them again by stretching the age limit for the camp.
The last day of the camp was full of fun for the participants. In the morning, Prabhat feri was held. Beautifully adorned palanquin of Guruji was carried by Monks and all the participants, taking round inside the ashram. Devotional bhajans were sung and jaikaras were raised. After the Feri, Aarti was performed by Sw Hiteshanandaji followed by a closing note. Pushpanjali was held. All offered the petals of their love and devotion at the feet of Guruji.
The week long program was concluded with an enthralling cultural program presented by the little angels of Guruji. Incepted with Gurustuti, skits based on moral values, dance on Hanuman Chalisa and Chants in chorus were performed. Vote of thanks was put by Br Dhairyanandaji and the boys were made to leave with their parents keeping the sweet memories in their hearts.
