(This article is from inputs from many campers, parents and volunteers) Gandhi Youth Camp Gandhi Youth Camp has been held annually once every year for the last 27 years in the rolling foothills of beautiful mountains and surrounded by majestic beauty. The camp has been led by Dr. S. N. Subba Rao, who has dedicated his life to youth development, and he visits us every year from India. The camp is aimed at 10-18 year olds and can take only about 45 boys and girls. The camp has been run by a dedicated group of adult volunteers and youth counselors. This one week camp is offered at a much lower rate than many other camps of similar nature. This has been made possible by the generous use of the camping facility by the Vedanta Society, in addition to the efforts and energy put in by the parents and youth. Indeed, the Gandhi Youth camp provides such an excellent environment for one week that children who attend this camp simply love it very much and look forward to revisiting every year. Gandhi Youth Camp promotes the strong value system of our Indian heritage, self-discipline, non-violence and leadership involving community service. These principles are integrated in several activities that go on throughout the day. The day begins with 6 am wakeup, an optional morning run followed by a meditation session with prayer in many religions and physical exercises often directed by youth counselors. After the breakfast, the campers go on to several different work projects in groups of 5 and 6 where they work together the whole morning which is over 3 hours of physical labor. Some examples of the work projects are trail blazing (involve cutting down the excess growth after winter rains to maintain roads and trails in the surrounding beautiful forest), gardening (planting new trees and shrubs and weeding), fixing pavements, painting barns and decks, and maintenance projects involving carpentry work. These work projects are a unique feature of this particular youth camp usually not available at other camps. This has been made possible by the collaboration of the monks at the Vedanta Society who allow generous use of their property at Olema, California, located near the Point Reyes National Sea Shore, about two hours north of San Francisco. After an exuberating morning’s work, campers come back for a light snack. While they meet and greet each other take bath and get ready for lunch. The afternoon program is filled with a variety of fun activities that include group dancing, t-shirt painting, discussions and games. The highlight is the group game activities that Subba Raoji weaves so skillfully that it wins everybody’s heart and mind. Children, youth and adult, boys and girls, everybody looks forward eagerly to these group games that inculcate a sense of belonging, sharing and caring. This is a truly delightful experience not to be missed by anyone. After the evening snack, many other activities follow where campers hook up with each other and while parents wonder if they are feeling tired, the young campers go on working, enjoying, and sharing tirelessly to everybody’s amazemement. And yes, the campers participate in every camp activity including cleaning and cooking. Where do

they get all this energy from? Before dinner, Subba Raoji conducts a prayer and discussion section. After dinner, the campers plan out cultural events, jeopardy type of games to learn Gandhiji’s principles, and the newsletter. Here are some of the excerpts from the previous camps: “Camp is lots of fun because it’s my first time here and I hope to come again next year. I’m not homesick.” “It’s really good and I actually survived without video games for a week. I really liked community work and trail blazing. I really liked Gandhi camp because it teaches you values.” “Because of Gandhi Camp, my awareness of the community, God, and the well-being of all living creatures has been heightened.” Hardly does one notice where the whole week goes away. On the final day, the campers put up a cultural show that lasts more than two hours and they give creative expressions to the positive energy they have gathered in the camp. Before you wonder whether everything is so wonderful, there are concerns a first time parent may have. What will he/she get to eat? Will there be an appropriate place to sleep? What if there is a medical problem? Will he/she enjoy it? Can he/she really get up so early in the morning? Gandhi is such an alien concept to many children, so how will he/she be able to relate to the camp? Believe it or not, not only the campers are taken excellent care of in their daily needs, but they enjoy the camp thoroughly by making life-long friendships. This year, the Gandhi Youth camp was again being held from August 3 to August 10, 2013 at the same location (the Vedanta Society Retreat, Olema, California) led by Subba Raoji. He brings this great opportunity to our hearts and minds. It is for us to make the best use of this opportunity. Summary and Daily Activities Gandhi Camp is a residential one week camp to be held August 3-10, 2013 at the beautiful 2500 acre Vedanta Society Retreat in Olema, California near Point Reyes. Now celebrating 28th year of this Camp, we still have openings for Boys and Girls 10-17 years old (grades 5-12). For more information, please go to: http://www.indiacc.org/gandhicamp2013. and register at: http://www.ultracamp.com/info/sessiondetail.aspx?idCamp=390&campCode=icc&idSession=56013

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

Gandhi Youth Camp – Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is the Gandhi Youth Camp all about? Answer: It is a week-long camp held every year in the July-August time frame for youth 10-17 years of age. The camp was started by a group of parents over twety years ago, as a way to connect their kids with Dr. S.N. Subba Rao, Director of National Youth Project in India, and recipient of the prestigious Rajeev Gandhi Sadbhavana Award. Dr. Subba Rao has been teaching Gandhian principles of non-violence, truthfulness, tolerance and self-help to youth all over the world, and visits the USA every year to conduct this camp. Question: How can my child growing up in the USA relate to the Gandhian principles and how will my child benefit? Answer: Non-violence, truthfulness, tolerance and self-help are universal values. By engaging the youth in interactive discussions, community service projects and hands-on activities, Dr. Subba Rao makes them learn, observe, practice and respect these values. For example, the youth wash their own dishes, make their own beds, pick up after themselves and help keep the premises clean. While

doing so, they learn the value of discipline and self-help. Every day, the youth work in teams and participate in three hours of community service outdoors, be it gardening, clearing the trails, repairing fences or painting the walls of the retreat houses where they will be staying during the camp. Every team member is assigned specific tasks which they must complete. With each project, they realize that they can accomplish great results with mutual respect, tolerance, admiration and encouragement. In addition, the friendships they develop with fellow campers, Dr. Subba Rao, parent volunteers and camp counselors will help them develop spiritually and emotionally. Over the years, many youth who attended the camp when they young have come back to serve as counselors and parent volunteers. In their own words, the values instilled in them at the camp have guided them to make better choices and judgments all their lives. Question: How many youth attend the camp and what is the ratio of campers to counselors and parent volunteers? Answer: The camp is limited to 40 campers. There are additional 8-10 parent volunteers and counselors who stay with the campers on-site. Many more parent volunteers and counselors come in for a few hours or a few days, just to be part of the camp. Question: How are the youth taken care of, in terms of living quarters, food, physical and medical needs? Answer: Generally speaking, the youth are divided into groups of 2, 3 or 4, depending upon the camp site and the type of accommodations available. The youngest kids are often paired with the oldest kids, to form big brother-little brother and big sister- little sister kind of teams. Boys and girls stay in separate accommodations, with their own showers and other amenities. Each day, breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at fixed times. A continental breakfast of cereal, milk, fruits, muffins, bagels, toast and juice is served every morning. Lunch consists of American, Italian, Mexican or other varieties of food (sandwiches, soup, pasta, burrito, quesadilla, salad, baked potato, pizza, lasagna, casserole, etc). Dinner usually consists of Indian specialties such as roti, rice, daal, vegetable curries, idli and sambar. A mid-morning and a mid-afternoon snack are also served, and consist of fruits, muffins, bagels, cookies, pies, fruit juice and milk. All food served is vegetarian, wholesome and nutritious. Other than store-bought foods such as cereals and bread, all food is prepared fresh every day for each meal. Dr. Jyoti Lulla and Mr. Abhay Bhushan have been attending the camp every year for the past 15+ years. Dr. Lulla and the other parent volunteers work with the campers to make sure they are comfortable and safe. Generally speaking, the

camp will be in the very capable hands of motivated, dedicated, caring and loving parent volunteers and counselors. Question: What if a camper has any allergies and needs to take medication? Answer: Parents are responsible for clearly identifying any allergies their child may have, and pack any medications necessary. The parent volunteers at the camp will assist the campers and help them take their daily medication. Question: What are the daily activities at the camp? Answer: Campers start their day with meditation at 6:30am. After breakfast, they will work on community service projects around the camp site for 3 hours. After lunch, the campers will take part in a group activity or discussion with guest speaker. Guest speakers chosen are usually role models who can inspire the youth with their own personal or professional accomplishments. Later in the evening, the youth take part in group sports and fun games. After dinner, they practice songs, skits, dances and music, which they will get to perform at a cultural show on the last day of the camp. Each performance at the cultural show is about a Gandhian value they have learnt to respect and practice. The campers are in bed by 10pm. The day before the last day of the camp is usually designated as the picnic day. Parents are invited to join the campers on picnic grounds for food, fun and games, and will have an opportunity to meet with Dr. Subba Rao, the parent volunteers and counselors in a social setting. On the last day, parents are requested to enjoy the cultural show put together by the youth and enjoy lunch with everyone. Question: Will the youth get a camp souvenir? Answer: Each year, the youth put together a newsletter, distributed on the last day of the camp. The newspaper consists of campers’ experiences, quotations, jokes and other articles, along with the contact information of all campers. A group picture on a certificate of appreciation recording the number of hours of community service is the most appreciated souvenir each year. Sometimes the youth have also received t-shirts, pens, pencils and other goodies. Question: Who can serve as volunteers and counselors? Answer: Volunteering is a wonderful way to engage in the camp. We encourage volunteers of all kinds. Mature, responsible adults who can contribute their time, energy, talent, money, food, supplies, materials and just about anything that makes the camp a great experience for kids are all very welcome. No contribution is too small!

Question: What can a volunteer expect? Answer: Volunteers can expect a very satisfying, fulfilling experience, as a result of giving back to the community and helping kids learn values that will shape their future. Getting to know Dr. Subba Rao first-hand and experiencing his love, simplicity and spirituality can add up to an unforgettable experience for anyone. Last but not the least, the camp is planned and run by dedicated, motivated, caring people who come back year after year to make it happen. Just being a part of the camp can be a great experience, be it teaching the kids a skill or cooking a meal or serving food.

Dr. S. N. Subba Rao When a group of bandits harasses travelers, most worry about their safety. If you're Subba Rao, you'd follow them to the ravines and confront them, armed with nothing but a heart full of love ... and consequently you would convince all 550 bandits to put down their weapons and help the poor villagers with development work!

Fearlessness. Peace. Everyone wants it, many rally for it, but few actually have it. At 82, Dr. S. N. Subba Rao - a Gandhian legend respectfully called "Bhai-ji" - still has a habit of doing the unimaginable: whether it means confronting bandits with compassion, engaging in peace dialogue with world leaders, promoting interfaith understanding, or running youth camps with thousands of participants doing community service.

"Accept everything that makes you strong -- physically, intellectually and spiritually," Dr. Rao says. "Reject everything that makes you weak."

Service Without A Pause

Subba Rao grew up in British-controlled India, and began to follow Gandhi as a teenager. First arrested at the age of 14 (and released the next day) for painting an Indian freedom slogan on a wall, he continued in Gandhi's footsteps (and later Vinoba's), by engaging in all types of humanitarian work. Being fluent in all 18 languages of India, Subba Rao studied law and has even been a translator for many, including the Prime Minister of India. And yet a suitcase and handbag contain all his possessions.

A fellow of the Gandhi Peace Foundation, founder of National Service Scheme and National Youth Project of India, and a friend of world-renowned instruments of social change, Subba Rao is a man of amazing intelligence, grace and spirit. His work with youth has taken on many creative shapes and forms, all incorporating the Gandhian

principle of service to humanity. Internationally, he is known for a wide network of Gandhi Youth Camps that brings the wisdom of Gandhi's principles -- truth, tolerance and self-help -- to the next generation youth. Over the last 25 years, the camps have touched tens of thousands of kids.

As Gandhi's quote reads, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world" - so reads the life of Subba Rao: a man who IS the change.

Campers speak First-Time Camper 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. 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. •