“Through fellowship, we find the love and understanding we need to realize our true self."
— Paramahansa Yogananda
With a view towards inculcating the spirit of both devotion and fellowship among children of YSS devotees, a Girls’ Camp was successfully conducted over a period of six days at Noida Ashram, from May 27 to June 1, 2024.
Inauguration and Orientation
The camp commenced with an inauguration and orientation ceremony on May 27, 2024, led by Swami Vishwananda. This ceremony set the tone for the upcoming week, emphasizing the importance of holistic development and spiritual growth.
Daily Activities for Mind, Body, and Soul Development
All the activities of the camp were carefully designed and planned to provide all-round mind, body, and soul development of the young participants. Amid the lush and serene grounds of the Ashram, the children woke with bird song to immerse themselves in yoga classes. These were followed by morning meditation sessions. Thus charged with a sense of devotion, the participants eagerly immersed themselves in camp activities during the day.
Guru Katha (a session with spiritual anecdotes) was held daily to impart spiritual knowledge and guidance, fostering a deeper understanding of spiritual principles among the participants. Afternoon and evening meditation sessions provided additional opportunities for inner reflection and peace. To promote physical and mental well-being, taekwondo classes and various sports activities were organized daily, ensuring that the girls remained active and engaged.
As the sun set every evening, participants were engaged in activities aimed at spiritual growth and personal development. Gita chanting sessions were held where participants sang verses from Chapter 12 of the Bhagavad Gita. Insights into the meaning of the verses was also provided to give the sessions an extra dimension of richness.
Sessions to empower participants and foster personal growth among them were also held. Topics such as "I am growing" and "Banat Banat Ban Jaye" were discussed, providing valuable insights into personal development.
Workshops
The interactive sessions and practical workshops included in this camp were specifically chosen to foster personal growth, environmental awareness, practical skills and spiritual growth among the young participants.
The “Save the Planet, Save Yourself” project introduced the principles of environmental conservation measures one should take to reduce their carbon footprint and how we can preserve our planet for future generations. In the class on the “Basics of Chanting,” participants learned the art of chanting Gurudeva Paramahansa Yogananda’s Cosmic Chants, and also got an orientation on how to play the harmonium.
In another class on “Meditation Can Solve Your Problems,” the speaker demonstrated how spirituality can be applied in everyday life. Participants learned how meditation can be used for creativity and problem-solving. In a practical session on “First Aid and Emergency Handling,” participants were given hands-on interactive training in using essential first aid techniques and emergency response skills. In another useful session on “Benefits and Precautions While Using Digital Gadgets,” participants were shown how various digital gadgets can be used meaningfully to derive maximum benefit from them. Precautions to be exercised while using these gadgets were also covered in the session.
A practical yet fun session — on photography — introduced the children to the basics of this creative skill. In a class on “Dress Designing and Needle Work,” participants were introduced to types of fabrics, colours, patterns, and designs, and taught how to reuse old clothes to create new dresses. They also learnt how to prepare basic fireless dishes in the session on “Art of Cooking.”
An interactive, hands-on craft session titled “I Am Dexterous,” took participants through a fun-filled hour where they made fancy paper bags which could be used as gift bags and decorative items.
Closing Ceremony
The camp concluded with a vibrant closing ceremony that showcased the creativity and talents of the participants. The children captivated the audience with a variety of performances, including devotional dances, beautiful chanting, a skit, a captivating dance drama, and a demonstration of select yoga asanas. A short video highlighting the activities conducted during the camp was also presented, providing a touching and memorable conclusion to the event.
The camp, with its diverse range of activities and sessions, provided a comprehensive and enriching experience for the participants. Inculcating valuable teachings and skills, and receiving opportunities for self-reflection in a supportive and nurturing environment, the camp was able to foster personal growth in the girls and spark an interest in future camps.
