Organising Camps

Residential camps are an amazing way to get our balvikas children imbibe values in a fun way! Boys and girls develop a sense of independence away from home and learn to socialize. They interact with children from different balvikas classes, thus getting the opportunity to learn about different peer groups and make friends with those they might never have come across in their daily life.

Besides, the environments at the camps aim to take children out of their comfort zones, but in a way that makes them feel safe They get to know how to compromise, adjust and adapt to different situations and shoulder responsibilities on their own, while they are away from their home.

Guidelines to organize Residential Balvikas Camps for Group3 boys and girls:

• Duration: 2 to 3 days
• District Level Camp comprising of all Samitis

Suggested Activities:

1. Registration
2. Orientation
3. Ice- breakers, to get the students familiarize with one another.
4. Dividing them into groups
5. Nagar Sankirtan
6. Yogasan, meditation etc
7. Prayers from major religions
8. Exhibition featuring Arts and Craft products already prepared by balvikas children
9. Preparing teaching aids for balvikas classes in groups
10. Talks by professionals on varied topics like mentoring, career counselling, Health issues related to teenagers, social responsibilities of students etc.
11. Sharing of divine experiences by Swami’s alumni or Balvikas alumni
12. Film shows on Swami’s missions
13. Bhajan sessions
14. Role Plays & Motivational games
15. Planting Saplings
16. Visit to Old age homes, orphanages etc
17. Briefings on courses available at SSSIHLs
18. Quiz based on the learning outcomes during the camp
19. Talent show (dance, music, mime, mimicry etc)
20. Sharing of their impressions about the camp, by some participants
21. Distribution of certificates by Chief Guest

Some points to be noted:

1. Each group must comprise of balvikas children from every samiti. The members may be selected by lots.
2. The programme schedule should be something different from the normal ones that the balvikas children are familiar with, in order to arouse and sustain their curiosity and interest.
3. Gurus should be mere facilitators and provide guidance when required.
4. Opportunities may be given to students in doing seva- serving food to the participants of the camp and doing other sevas related to their stay there.
5. It is highly imperative that discipline should not be sacrificed at any cost, in the name of enjoyment!!

In other words, the residential camp must be value- oriented, entertaining, enlightening and productive.
It must indeed be a home-away-from-home for the student participants and the students must ever cherish these memories in the days to come!!