July 24th - Aug 2nd, 2005
Cherry Hill, NJ
The summer of 2005 marked a milestone event
for the female wing of BAPS North America as the first annual
Balika-Kishori Summer Training Camp was held in Cherry Hill,
New Jersey between July 24th and August 2nd. In a time to
relax and take a break from the academic demands of the school
year, girls from all over North America came to the Northeast
to take part in a rigorous 10-day talent enhancement experience.
With the theme of “Saat Sameliya", this camp was
designed to help the balikas and kishoris progress in satsang,
develop their talents and abilities, and strengthen their
moral character.
Each day of the camp represented a different
theme that highlighted the accomplishments and strenuous efforts
taken by our Gurus over the past 200 years to allow our youth
the opportunity to freely practice the principles of satsang
in the 21st century. In learning about these examples of selfless
dedication and sacrifice, attendees came to recognize the
greatness of satsang passed down throughout each succession
era of our Gurus, thus realizing their own potential for further
growth in satsang not only individually, but for the development
of the sanstha as a whole as well.
In addition to common sessions, each balika
and kishori attended two mandatory classes, and another two
talent development electives on a daily basis for six full
days. Mandatory classes included basic writing and public
speaking (prasang varnan for balikas, nirupan for kishoris,
and speech for both balikas and kishoris). Attendees chose
to take any two electives from decoration, dramatic arts (dance
& drama), tabla, vocal/harmonium, and multimedia/photography.
A formal graduation celebration and dinner was held for all
attendees on the final evening of classes to acknowledge the
achievements made by each of the girls throughout the course
of the camp. Attendees received certificates and smruti bhets
for their hard efforts in successfully completing their courses.
Balikas and kishoris were taken on two different
outings during this camp. An entire day was spent in New York
City, where the girls were first taken to Radio City Music
Hall to retrace the celebrations held back in July of 1996
to commemorate our sanstha’s silver jubilee in the presence
of Swamishri. Additionally, they also enjoyed a bus tour of
the city. Another outing was planned the following day at
a nearby park where girls spent the day participating in a
variety of games and team building activities. These outdoor
events provided the girls with a means to develop atmiyata
with one another after an exhausting week of classes.
With the aim of molding future karyakars and the leaders of
tomorrow, and due to the inspiration of Param Pujya Pramukh
Swami Maharaj, the 10-day training camp proved to be a successful
event. With a demanding daily schedule lasting over 14 hours,
including four rigorous classroom sessions a day, katha, and
evening programs, attendees embraced both the challenges and
opportunities of the camp with a positive attitude and the
determination to achieve even greater heights.
Photo gallery
