Photograph Station and Blog
We need youth volunteers to take charge of documenting (photographing):
• the day's activities
• the camper's finished art projects
We will be updating our Camp Blog daily. Please make sure you let us know at orientation if you are interested in photography and blogging. No experience necessary – we will be happy to teach you what we know!
Art Projects
We will need some volunteers to help prepare materials for the daily art projects. We also would like to prepare art kits for the toddler and pre-school Balavihar 2009/2010 classes. (There will be lots of work available at this station.)
Gardening
We will have a bhiksha vegetable and puja flower garden this summer. We will need volunteers to be responsible for the daily maintenance of these gardens.
Sports/Outdoor Activities
We need volunteers to engage the children in informal sports activities. We will have a professional size volleyball net, a basketball hoop, bouncy balls, hoola hoops, and soccer balls to play with. The volunteers will also make sure that we have an ample supply of our Super Duper Bubble solution – we've got the secret recipe :-) ... and on really hot days, we've been known for getting out the garden hose and having some cool water fun.
Library/Board Games
The volunteers will be repsonsible for keeping the library and game station in tidy order. We will need to make sure that the children put all the pieces back into the games' boxes and that the books are respectfully placed back on the shelves. Also, we will need to help the younger children understand game rules. Mediation skills will be important at this station.
Bead Weaving
We will have an ongoing station dedicated to bead weaving (on-loom and off-loom techniques.) Volunteers working at this station will need to assist the children in problem solving on the bead loom (which won't be difficult), measure out the beads for projects, help with finishing techniques, etc. This station is a great place for someone who wants to learn different beading skills!
Nature Science
We will have a butterfly station for the children to watch larvae turn into full adult insects. We need volunteers to be responsible for making sure that:
• the children do not upset or harm the insects
• the insects are fed and watered daily
• help the children understand the different growth stages
• help the full-grown insects be released into the environment safely. (We will have flowers they like – so hopefully, they'll stick around!)
We also want to encourage the children to record in a journal their daily observations (sketching and writing.) This center will have two complete cycles through the summer. The larvae take about 3 – 4 weeks before they are ready for release.
Spinning
We will have a station completely dedicated to learning cotton spinning with Book Charkhas and takhlis.
Lego Science Kits
Volunteers will have to actively manage this Lego station by helping the kids work on the projects, as well as understanding the science/physics behind it. We will also need to make sure that all the Legos get properly taken apart and organized back into the containers for the next group of children.
Volunteer Guidelines (full time and weekly)
Please click here to view descriptions of youth volunteer tasks.
1. Be present for your scheduled time slot. If, for some reason, you cannot make your time slot – you must let us know, by phone, as soon as possible. The camp phone number is: (609) 558-8107.
2. Adult volunteers may bring their children to the camp only if 1) they are registered campers, or their child is a volunteer (9th grade and up.) There will be no exceptions.
3. Volunteers are there to assist the children with the different activities and classes – please do not expect to attend or participate in the classes as one of the students.
4. We are all responsible for overseeing the safety and whereabouts of the children – at all times! (We will go over our daily procedures when we meet for orientation.)
5. We must see to it that the sign-in/sign-out procedure is absolutely adhered to – no exceptions.
6. Everyone must wear name tags, at all times. This will help us to learn the children's names easily. All name tags will be color coded for the weeks that the children are registered.
7. Any questions pertaining to last minute registration should be directed to Vasava or any other administrative sevik. We will only receive new camper registration info from them.
8. Help the children understand the etiquette of the ashram. Intervene if you see any play that involves suggested violence, teasing, etc. We want to reinforce positive and friendly (all-inclusive) play. Primary rules: "Hands to yourself, please!" and "Is this something you would want someone else to say/do to you? How would that make you feel?" There will be absolutely no play with the chairs/pillows or running in the worship/satsang area.
9. Help to keep the age groups together for activities – gently redirect any wanderers.
10. Please help see to it that all camp materials (games, books, art supplies, charkhas, looms, etc.) remain at the camp. No one is allowed to take any art material or tool home to finish projects – all projects will be finished at the camp. If, at the end of the week, a child did not finish his/her art project, then if we are able, we will send home the appropriate materials for them to complete it.
11. EDP – we need volunteers from 7:45 to 9:00 a.m. and from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. for extended day. Vasava Krishnamoorthy is coordinating EDP volunteers. Please contact him if you are able to help out.
12. Youth volunteers will be primarily responsible for overseeing the Independent Project Stations. Adult volunteers will assist youth volunteers, if needed.
13. We will have one (or more) telephone(s) available for parents to call the camp. Please be sure that if the phone rings, it is answered – and take messages, as needed.
14. We want to instill self-sufficiency in the campers. Please remind the children to tidy up their mess when each activity is finished. We can go even one step further and help them understand that there is joy in helping others clean their mess, too :-)
And, last but not least,
15. You must attend an orientation meeting before camp begins. We will post the dates and times once they have been decided (probably early June.) You will be expected to rsvp for the day and time that you will attend.
1. Be present for your scheduled time slot. If, for some reason, you cannot make your time slot – you must let us know, by phone, as soon as possible. The camp phone number is: (609) 558-8107.
2. Adult volunteers may bring their children to the camp only if 1) they are registered campers, or their child is a volunteer (9th grade and up.) There will be no exceptions.
3. Volunteers are there to assist the children with the different activities and classes – please do not expect to attend or participate in the classes as one of the students.
4. We are all responsible for overseeing the safety and whereabouts of the children – at all times! (We will go over our daily procedures when we meet for orientation.)
5. We must see to it that the sign-in/sign-out procedure is absolutely adhered to – no exceptions.
6. Everyone must wear name tags, at all times. This will help us to learn the children's names easily. All name tags will be color coded for the weeks that the children are registered.
7. Any questions pertaining to last minute registration should be directed to Vasava or any other administrative sevik. We will only receive new camper registration info from them.
8. Help the children understand the etiquette of the ashram. Intervene if you see any play that involves suggested violence, teasing, etc. We want to reinforce positive and friendly (all-inclusive) play. Primary rules: "Hands to yourself, please!" and "Is this something you would want someone else to say/do to you? How would that make you feel?" There will be absolutely no play with the chairs/pillows or running in the worship/satsang area.
9. Help to keep the age groups together for activities – gently redirect any wanderers.
10. Please help see to it that all camp materials (games, books, art supplies, charkhas, looms, etc.) remain at the camp. No one is allowed to take any art material or tool home to finish projects – all projects will be finished at the camp. If, at the end of the week, a child did not finish his/her art project, then if we are able, we will send home the appropriate materials for them to complete it.
11. EDP – we need volunteers from 7:45 to 9:00 a.m. and from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. for extended day. Vasava Krishnamoorthy is coordinating EDP volunteers. Please contact him if you are able to help out.
12. Youth volunteers will be primarily responsible for overseeing the Independent Project Stations. Adult volunteers will assist youth volunteers, if needed.
13. We will have one (or more) telephone(s) available for parents to call the camp. Please be sure that if the phone rings, it is answered – and take messages, as needed.
14. We want to instill self-sufficiency in the campers. Please remind the children to tidy up their mess when each activity is finished. We can go even one step further and help them understand that there is joy in helping others clean their mess, too :-)
And, last but not least,
15. You must attend an orientation meeting before camp begins. We will post the dates and times once they have been decided (probably early June.) You will be expected to rsvp for the day and time that you will attend.
Leave it to the Lord
Once upon a time in a small town there lived a man who had two daughters. When they grew up, one was married to a farmer and the other to a brick maker.
After a few years, the father wanted to see his daughters again. First he went to the farmer's village. The girl was very happy to see her father and looked after his comforts with loving care. Her husband was also very concerned about his father-in-law's comfort and the father was pleased to see his daughter happily settled. He stayed for three days in their house, and then wanted to leave. Before going he asked his daughter, "Can I do anything for you?" The contented daughter smiled and said, "Father, by your grace we had good rains during these past years. That is why we are prosperous. Please pray to the Lord that the rains may also be good next year."
Then the father went to the brick maker's house. His second daughter and the son-in-law received him with love and respect. But the two days he stayed there revealed to him that all was not well with them. They seemed to be very poor. The daughter, though happy that her father had come, found it difficult even to provide food for him. He was sorry to find them thus. On the third day, when he was leaving, he asked the daughter whether he could do anything to help them. She wiped the tears from her eyes and said, "Father, God has been unkind for the past few years. It was raining all the time and we could not manufacture any bricks. All our business is gone. Please pray to the Lord to send sunshine and stop the rain next year. Then we will be able to pick up our business again."
As the father walked towards his house, he mused over the requests of his two daughters. Should he pray for rain or for sunshine? If rain came, the second would suffer; If the sun came the first daughter would suffer. Then he thought, the Lord gives sunshine, the Lord gives rain. He alone knows what is best. We may safely leave everything in His hands.
- Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Tarangini Three
by Swami Chinmayananda and Swamini Sharada Priyananda
After a few years, the father wanted to see his daughters again. First he went to the farmer's village. The girl was very happy to see her father and looked after his comforts with loving care. Her husband was also very concerned about his father-in-law's comfort and the father was pleased to see his daughter happily settled. He stayed for three days in their house, and then wanted to leave. Before going he asked his daughter, "Can I do anything for you?" The contented daughter smiled and said, "Father, by your grace we had good rains during these past years. That is why we are prosperous. Please pray to the Lord that the rains may also be good next year."
Then the father went to the brick maker's house. His second daughter and the son-in-law received him with love and respect. But the two days he stayed there revealed to him that all was not well with them. They seemed to be very poor. The daughter, though happy that her father had come, found it difficult even to provide food for him. He was sorry to find them thus. On the third day, when he was leaving, he asked the daughter whether he could do anything to help them. She wiped the tears from her eyes and said, "Father, God has been unkind for the past few years. It was raining all the time and we could not manufacture any bricks. All our business is gone. Please pray to the Lord to send sunshine and stop the rain next year. Then we will be able to pick up our business again."
As the father walked towards his house, he mused over the requests of his two daughters. Should he pray for rain or for sunshine? If rain came, the second would suffer; If the sun came the first daughter would suffer. Then he thought, the Lord gives sunshine, the Lord gives rain. He alone knows what is best. We may safely leave everything in His hands.
- Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Tarangini Three
by Swami Chinmayananda and Swamini Sharada Priyananda
Check In/Check Out Procedures
Chinmaya Summer Camp will be open at 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Campers who are arriving at the ashram earlier than 8:50 a.m. and stay later than 4:30 p.m. must be enrolled in the Extended Day Program.
Extended Day Program Check In/Check Out
1) Extended day program for the morning is scheduled between 7:30 a.m. to 8:50 a.m.
2) Extended day program for the evening is scheduled between 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
3) Please be sure to sign the sheet at the registration desk when you arrive and depart with your child. It is important that you do this – so that we maintain accurate records in our office.
4) You are not allowed to leave your child alone on the ashram premises. If you arrive before anyone else, you must wait with your child until an adult volunteer is able to receive him/her.
5) If you will be late in picking up your child – for any reason – we request that you call and let us know as soon as you find out. We will be able to plan accordingly, and your child will not be worried waiting for you.
6) We will only release your child to the parent/guardian authorized on the registration form.
Standard Check-In/Check-Out
1) Volunteers will begin receiving the children at 8:50 a.m. Our day will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. All children are requested to participate in the morning prayers and chanting.
2) Consistent attendance and prompt arrival are essential. Late arrivals are considered disruptive.
3) Please be sure to sign the sheet at the registration desk when you arrive and depart with your child. It is important that you do this – so that we maintain accurate records in our office.
4) For safety reasons it is necessary to keep your child by your side while walking in the parking lot. There will be a lot of morning and evening traffic.
5) If you need to pick your child up early, you must send in a written note with him/her indicating the date and time of pick-up.
6) We will only release your child to the parent/guardian authorized on the registration form.
Extended Day Program Check In/Check Out
1) Extended day program for the morning is scheduled between 7:30 a.m. to 8:50 a.m.
2) Extended day program for the evening is scheduled between 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
3) Please be sure to sign the sheet at the registration desk when you arrive and depart with your child. It is important that you do this – so that we maintain accurate records in our office.
4) You are not allowed to leave your child alone on the ashram premises. If you arrive before anyone else, you must wait with your child until an adult volunteer is able to receive him/her.
5) If you will be late in picking up your child – for any reason – we request that you call and let us know as soon as you find out. We will be able to plan accordingly, and your child will not be worried waiting for you.
6) We will only release your child to the parent/guardian authorized on the registration form.
Standard Check-In/Check-Out
1) Volunteers will begin receiving the children at 8:50 a.m. Our day will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. All children are requested to participate in the morning prayers and chanting.
2) Consistent attendance and prompt arrival are essential. Late arrivals are considered disruptive.
3) Please be sure to sign the sheet at the registration desk when you arrive and depart with your child. It is important that you do this – so that we maintain accurate records in our office.
4) For safety reasons it is necessary to keep your child by your side while walking in the parking lot. There will be a lot of morning and evening traffic.
5) If you need to pick your child up early, you must send in a written note with him/her indicating the date and time of pick-up.
6) We will only release your child to the parent/guardian authorized on the registration form.
Camp Guidelines
General
Camp will be open to campers from 9:00 to 4:30 p.m.
All campers are expected to arrive at the ashram by 8:55 a.m. We want the children to learn the importance of punctuality. Participation in the morning prayers in mandatory.
Consistent attendance and prompt arrival are essential – late arrivals are considered disruptive.
Each camp participant (and volunteer) will be issued a name tag upon arrival on the first day of each week. This is to be worn throughout the week.
If you didn't sign up for the extended care segment – and your child needs to stay late for some reason, then you will need to inform the Drop Off volunteer.
Please call the camp before 8:00 a.m. in the morning, or email cmcranbury@gmail.com if your child is going to be absent. The camp phone number is: (609) 558-8107.
No make up session will be provided for any absence. Prolonged absence (more than 3 days in a week) due to an illness or family emergency will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
All the volunteers (including the youth volunteers) are not paid for their services. Volunteers have to pay to have their children attend camp.
Check-In/Check-Out
Check in and check out procedures must be followed (click here to view.)
Campers (and youth volunteers) cannot leave Chinmaya Vrindavan premises without written permission from the parent or guardian.
Dress
Casual clothing which allows comfortable movement for yoga and outdoor activities is advised. Your dress should be modest and not attract the attention of others.
Sneakers are most advisable for outdoor activities. Flip-flops are good to keep as a back-up which you may store in your bag provided by the camp.
It is recommended that parents apply sunscreen prior to arriving at camp each day. Please indicate in the registration form if your child has skin allergies, or you do not wish for your child to use sunscreen. Sharing of sunscreen is not allowed.
Activities
All campers are required to attend all the scheduled sessions unless, due to medical reasons, it is not possible for their participation – in which case we ask that you inform the sevikas before the start of camp.
All campers must get approval from the activity's volunteer before moving on to another station. This is for the safety of the children only.
Health
All medications that a camper uses/brings with them to camp must be listed on the Heath/Medical Release Form.
All medications must be administered by the parent or child – as no one (including sevikas) will be able to do so.
Upon the child's arrival, all medications must be given to one of administrative sevikas for safe storage.
Campers may not share any medication (including vitamins or herbal remedies) with others.
Things 'to bring' and 'not bring' to camp:
All campers must be sure to pack a passion for fun, spirit to share, heart filled with love, and their very best smile!
Any item your child brings to camp must be labeled with their name.
A copy of the books "My Prayers" and "Chinmaya Book of Vedic Chants." Copies will be available for purchase at the ashram.
Vegetarian lunch and snack. Please pack healthy foods and try to refrain from items with high sugar content. We love to see the children eat fresh fruits, yogurt, multi-grains, legumes, and vegetables! We have microwaves available for re-heating. We are not able to cook, however.
Smock or old shirt (for art projects)
Notebook and pen/pencil for journal keeping.
1 or 2 photos of your child – on a non-returnable basis.
For everyone's safety do not bring skateboards or roller blades. No electronics or toys of any kind will be allowed.
Please do not bring in personal Legos or Lego kits (any type).
Anything of considerable value is better left at home.
Campers are not allowed to bring in cell phones. There will be phones available at the camp for the children to use, if needed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)