Sanskrit

Chinmaya International Foundation's Sanskrit Program. This course is designed for children and adults (ages 10 and above). Truly a great on-line class — beautifully organized and very understandable! Click here to learn more information.

Sanskrit Bhaarati (click here for site)
Learn Sanskrit (click here for site)
On-Line Dictionary (Sanskrit – English) click here for site

Hindi

A Door Into Hindi (on line Hindi Lessons)
Hindi Program at Penn State (audio only)

Devanagari Learning

Learn Devanagari, The Australian National University
Learn Devanagari, A learning resource for Hindi students

Chinmaya Mission Pledge

We stand as one family
bound to each other with love and respect.

We serve as an army,
courageous and disciplined,
ever ready to fight against
all low tendencies and false values
within and without us.

We live honestly
the noble life of sacrifice and service
producing more than what we consume
and giving more than what we take.

We seek the Lord’s grace
to keep us on the path of virtue, courage and wisdom.
May Thy grace and blessings flow
through us to the world around us.

We believe that the service of our country
is the service of the Lord of Lords,
and devotion to the people
is the devotion to the Supreme Self.

We know our responsibilities;
give us the ability and courage to fulfill them.

OM TAT SAT

Ten Restraints, The Yamas

1. Noninjury (ahimsaa.) Not harming others by thought, word or deed.

2. Truthfulness (satya.) Refraining from lying and betraying promises.

3. Nonstealing (asteya.) Not stealing, coveting or entering into debt.

4. Divine conduct (brahmacharya.)

5. Patience (kshamaa.) Restraining intolerance with people and impatience with circumstances.

6. Steadfastness (dhRiti.) Overcoming nonperserverance, fear, indecision and changeableness.

7. Compassion (dayaa.) Conquering callous, cruel and insensitive feelings toward all beings.

8. Honesty, straightforwardness (aarjava.) Renouncing deception and wrongdoing.

9. Moderate appetite (mitaahaara.) Neither eating too much nor consuming meat, fish, fowl or eggs.

10. Purity (shaucha.) Avoiding impurity in body, mind and speech.

Eat When You Are Alone (Chinmaya Vidyalaya)

One day a teacher was taking a class. The day's lesson was on God. The teacher told the students that God was everywhere – present in each object and in every man. The teacher who was a great devotee explained vividly how the Lord peeped out at the world through each and every living thing. The children were very much impressed with the lesson and went on asking several questions about God. The teacher was happy to find them so enthusiastic.

The next day the teacher brought nice ripe plantains for the students and distributed them to all. He told them to take the fruit to a lonely place and eat them where no one saw them.

All the boys nodded their heads and soon ran out of the class room. Within fifteen minutes all the children returned except one. When asked by the teacher, each boy said that he went to a lonely place and ate the plantain.

After half an hour the last boy returned. The plantain was still in his hands. Everyone looked at him in surprise. Why did he not eat his fruit? The teacher asked the boy, "Why didn't you eat your fruit?"

The boy replied, "Sir, you told us yesterday that God was present in all beings and peeped out through them into the world. When you asked me to eat the fruit in a lonely place where no looked at me, I ran to every nook and corner, but I didn't find it lonely. Under the bushes, God looked at me through the tiny squirrels. Under the trees He looked at me through the birds. In the house, he looked at me through the ants and sparrows. When I went to the lake, He looked at me through the fish and lotuses. I couldn't find a place where He was not present. Therefore I couldn't eat the fruit."

The teacher was very happy with the boy who could see God everywhere. He embraced him and said, "Son, you are correct. God watches through all the beings. So when you have to eat or drink anything, first offer the food to Him and then eat it as His prasad."

The boy obeyed his teacher and felt very happy, because the plantain tasted sweeter knowing it was the Lord's prasad.


– Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Tarangini Four. By Swami Chinmayananda and Swamini Sharada Priyananda

The Niyamas (Ten Practices)

1. Remorse (hrii.) Being modest and showing shame for misdeeds.

2. Contentment (santosha.) Seeking joy and serenity in life.

3. Giving (daana.) Tithing and giving generously without thought of reward.

4. Faith (aastikya.) Believing firmly in God, Gods, guru and the path to enlightenment.

5. Worship of the Lord (Ishvarapuujana.) Cultivating devotion through daily worship and meditation.

6. Scriptural listening (siddhaanta shravaNa.) Studying the teachiings and listening to the wise of one's lineage.

7. Cognition (mati.) Developing a spiritual will and intellect with the guru's guidance.

8. Sacred vows (vrata.) Fulfilling religious vows, rules and observances faithfully.

9. Recitation (japa.) Chanting mantras daily.

10. Austerity (tapas.) Performing saadhana, penance, tapas and sacrifice.

Some Suggested Reading ...

Books for Kids on Vegetarianism (all age groups)
Mahagiri
Once A Mouse ...

Put It In Order!

Here is another fun, silent game which involves organizational skills and working together as a team.

The game leader sets a time limit (say 2 minutes) and tells everyone to SILENTLY arrange themselves in a line according to shoe size (smallest to biggest). You can also do it by age, height, etc.

The object is for the children to quietly work together for an overall goal -- within a specific time frame. Those who can't find their place in the line, when the time is up, are out of the game.

All Tied Up ...

This is a good game that involves working together as a team!

1. Everyone stands in a circle.
2. Each person reaches their left hand out and takes someone else's left hand.
3. Then everyone reaches their right hand out and takes someone else's right hand. (Each person must be holding 2 different people's hands.)
4. Challenge everyone to untangle themselves into a circle again.

If the group is too large, it might be good to break up into 2 groups. No more than 10 to a group. Numbers of group must be even.

What Kind of Animal Are You?

Have the children sit in a circle. Ask each child "If you were an animal, what kind of animal would you like to be and why?" "What kinds of things do you like about that animal?" "What special qualities does this animal have?" etc...

Our objective with this is to encourage empathy and connection with animals. We will also use this exercise in our discussions on vegetarianism.

This discussion can also be expanded to include the insect world, also!

M&M Game

Pass around a bowl of M&Ms and ask each child to take a small handful (no more than 6 or 7). Once the M&Ms have been distributed, tell them that they have to answer a question for each color they have.

For example: Red = Who is your favorite God or Goddess? Blue = Who is your favorite role model? Green = What is your favorite bhajan?, etc...

They get to eat the M&M only after they have answered the question!

Videos of Temples, Historic Sites and Cultural Learning

Documentaries
by 7 Wonders of India


Click on title to view.

Rameshwarm
Thanjavur Chola Temple
Mahabalipuram
Meenakshi Temple
Vivekanandan Rock
Tirupati
Sun Temple, Konark
Rani ki Vav, Patan
Dwarkadhish Temple
Mathur Hanging Bridge
Lakshman Temple
Ujjain
Silent Valley National Park, Kerala
Kanha National Park
Ajanta Ellora Caves
64 Yoginis Temple at Hirapur
Dholavira Site, Kutch District
Nalanda University

Click on title to view.
History of the Sun Temple, Konark Orissa
Dholavira, Gujarat
Varanasi by One More Life Production
Ganga Night Puja (Varanasi) by One More Life Production (10 minute film)
Festival of the Goddess Durga by Asian Art Museum, San Francisco CA
Paper Mache Ganesha Idols in Hindi with English sub-titles
Culture Unplugged: The Green Warriors of Thar (Bishnoi Community, Rajasthan)
Appiko -- To Embrace
Amrita Devi (Bishnoi, Rajasthan)
Celebrating Warli Art (with Shri Jivya Mhashe)
Geru (Brief documentary on making Warli Paintings)

"I Am ..."

This is a fun "introduce yourself" game. Have the children sit in a circle. The first child says "I am Awesome Ananya." The second child says this is "Awesome Ananya and I am Rowdy Ramesh." The third child says this is "Awesome Ananya, Rowdy Ramesh and I am Mighty Maya." and so on ... The adjective the child chooses must start with the first letter of their name and be a word they think describes them. If the children are really young, they can choose a word with the same sound.

Counting Pebbles

This game was shared at Vibhooti Chinmaya Mission Camp -- and it is absolutely brilliant!!

All the children sit in a circle with their eyes closed. The circle leader then takes a handful of pebbles (or marbles) and drops them into a metal pot. First very rhymically, slowly, -- then speeds up a little ... and slows down again. It is important to vary the rhythm of dropping the marbles so that the children really must focus on their counting. When all the items have been dropped, go around the circle and ask each child how many marbles are in the pot.

How Long Is A Minute?

This game will be our "Shaanti Circle" exercise in learning how to quieten ourselves. Our circle leader (with a watch in hand) will ask all the children to close their eyes and sit silently. Then, the circle leader will ask the children to raise their hands when they think a minute has passed. The one closest to a minute wins.

We will increase our time to 2 minutes, 3 minutes, etc. as the summer progresses (and when the children are ready.)

Lay Your Burden Down on Me

© Sheela Kirpalani, 2009
Written and composed by Sheela Kirpalani
For personal use only. All rights and privileges are solely owned by the writer and composer.

(chorus)
Lay your burden down on Me.
Lay your burden down on Me.
Lay your burden down,
Then those troubles won't keep coming around and around
(If you) Lay your burden down on Me.

Take my hand and walk with Me.
Take my hand and walk with Me.
Take my hand and walk with Me,
And put an end to all of your misery,
Take my hand and walk with Me.

Step by step we'll walk along.
Step by step we'll walk along.
Step by step we'll walk along,
And then our hearts will be overflowing with song,
Step by step we'll walk along.

(chorus)
Lay your burden down on Me.
Lay your burden down on Me.
Lay your burden down,
Then those troubles won't keep coming around and around
(If you) Lay your burden down on Me.

From now on you'll never walk alone.
From now on you'll never walk alone.
From now on you'll never walk alone,
For now you're with Me and you've finally come home.
From now on you'll never walk alone.

(chorus)
Lay your burden down on Me.
Lay your burden down on Me.
Lay your burden down,
THen those troubles won't keep coming around and around
(If you) Lay your burden down on Me.

Swami Chinmayananda

© Sheela Kirpalani, 2009
Written and composed by Sheela Kirpalani
For personal use only. All rights and privileges are solely owned by the writer and composer.


O, Swami Chinmayananda
His Love you give to everyone.
You teach the Knowledge of Perfection.
And show us all that we are one.

(chorus)
I see your saffron robes a-flowing,
With every step in perfect stride.
And your face is always showing
The real Truth is inside.

The sun and moon can see you passing.
Both through the day and through the night.
And watching them I can acknowledge,
That is is you who has taken flight.

(chorus)
I see your saffron robes a-flowing,
With every step in perfect stride.
And your face is always showing
The real Truth is inside.

O, Swami Chinmayananda,
What is this game we're here to play?
Will we be wise enough tomorrow
To know it wasn't real, anyway?

(chorus)
I see your saffron robes a-flowing,
With every step in perfect stride.
And your face is always showing
The real Truth is inside.

Sri Krishna

Crested jeweled peacock feathered
Curly locked Sri Kirishna
Come to me, come to me
Playing Thy flute – Sri Krishna

Yellow silken robed one
Crossed legged blue boy, Sri Krishna
Oh beautiful, oh wonderful
Oh beautiful, oh wonderful
Oh Lord of all – Sri Krishna

(Chorus)
Sri Krishna, Jai Sri Krishna
Come to me, oh Lord Krishna
I am thine, Thou are mine
I am thine, Thou are mine
Forever and ever, Sri Lord Krishna
Forever and ever, Sri Lord Krishna

Milk and butter
Fruit and flowers
Milk and butter
Fruit and flowers
Waiting for you Sri Krishna
Gopi Radha ever in tears
Longing for You, Sri Krishna

(Chorus)
Sri Krishna, Jai Sri Krishna
Come to me, oh Lord Krishna
I am Thine, Thou are mine
I am Thine, Thou are mine
Forever and ever, Sri Lord Krishna
Forever and ever, Sri Lord Krishna

Things to Pack and Bring

"My Prayers" and "Chinmaya Book of Vedic Chants"
Both books are published by Chinmaya Mission. We will have copies available for purchase at the ashram. These books will be used throughout the summer -- therefore, we request your child have their own copy during camp.

Vegetarian Lunch and Snack (no eggs)
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
Some of our art class projects can be a little messy. We will be working with modeling clay, papier mache, and paint throughout the summer.

Sunblock/Sun Cap
The children will be spending some time outdoors on a daily basis ... both with sports and art class projects. We do request that your child have their own sunblock. Because of allergies and sensitive skin conditions, children will not be allowed to share sunblock with one another.

One Extra Set of Clothes (including plastic flip flops)
Sometimes messes happen ... or better yet, we head outdoors for some Water Spray Fun! Please send in a full extra set of clothes for your child during his/her camp stay.

One Small Photograph of Your Child
This is for our camp files and will not be returned to you.

Film Clips of Gurudev (Swami Chinmayanandaji)

Click on title to view.
Gurudev with Children
Explains the meaning of "Hari OM"
The Indivisible Truth
A film/photo montage of Gurudev's life (in Hindi)

Videos of Mahatma Gandhi

Click on title to view.
Spinning on a Book Charkha
Interview with the Mahatma
God is Life, Truth, Light, Love and the Supreme Good (1931 recording)
Gandhi's Farewell Speech in Europe
Film Clip of Gandhi in Bombay 1944
Gandhi Part 4/5 (scene with him spinning on the book charkha)
Dandi March (video only)
Dandi March (video with text)
Gandhi's wife, Kasturba, spinning cotton
Short Video of Gandhi supporters spinning cotton (ca 1920)
Short Video on Woman spinning cotton in her home
Children Spinning Cotton on Takhlis and Book Charkha

Telephone

This game has been around forever -- and we like to use it during our discussions on "Why it is important to have a Guru."

Have the children sit in a circle. One child thinks of a word or a sentence and then whispers it in the ear of the child sitting next to him/her. Then that child whispers what they heard into his/her neighbor's ear ... and so on. Then the last child announces what they were told to the entire group.

It never fails that what was originally said gets very distorted as it is passed around. In one of our circle times we started with "Swamiji likes oranges and wears grape-colored Crocs." Within one interpretation it became "Swamiji likes oranges and wears cream-colored Crocs." And then, somewhere in the middle of the circle it got changed to "Swamiji wears orange shoes," which ended up as "I have no idea what she said!"

This is definitely a fun game ...

Lost Treasures of the Ancient World

India
by Discovery Channel

Click on title to view.
Part 1/5
Part 2/5
Part 3/5
Part 4/5
Part 5/5

What Ancients Did for Us

The Indians
by BBC

Click on title to view.
Part 1/6
Part 2/6
Part 3/6
Part 4/6
Part 5/6
Part 6/6

Animations, Shadow Theatre and Short Film Clips

Animations

Click on title to view.
Avataar by Upasana Nattoji (animation on Vamana)
Alpana (Student animation project at the National Inst. of Design, Ahmedabad, India)
Feedback (Student animation project at the National Inst. of Design, Ahmedabad, India)
Dhak by Rajesh Chakraborty (Student animation project on Durga Puja)
The Farmer and The Goat (great animation for discussion on "vegetarianism")

Weekly Art Project Schedule

June 21 – August 13, 2010
Click on the week to view more information about the individual projects

Wk 1 (Jun 21 – Jun 25) Likhita Japa (Grades 4 and up)
Wk 2 (Jun 28 – Jul 02) Color Theory (Grades 4 and up)
Wk 3 (Jul 06 –  Jul 09) Mosaics with Paper (Grades 4 and up)
Wk 4 (Jul 12 –  Jul 16) Bookbinding (Grades 4 and up)
Wk 5 (Jul 19 –  Jul 23) Printmaking (Grades 4 and up)
Wk 6 (Jul 26 –  Jul 30) Thanjavur Art (Grades 1 through 8)
Wk 7 (Aug 02 – Aug 06) Thanjavur Art (Grades 1 through 8)
Wk 8 (Aug 09 – Aug 13) Pop-Up Cards/Paper Engineering (Grades 4 and up)

Parting Prayer

ऊँ पूर्णमद: पूर्णमिदम पूर्णात पूर्णमुदच्यते
ऊँ पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते
शान्ति: शान्ति: शान्ति:

OM poornamadah poornamidam
poornaat poornamudachyate
poornasya poornamadaaya
poornamevaavashishyate
OM shaantih shaantih shaantih

Charkha Spinning


© jmg 2009

Summer Camp 2009, 2010 (Grades 4 and up)
We will have 10 Book Charkhas available throughout the summer for the older children (grades 4 and up) to learn cotton spinning. Not only is this a fascinating tool to learn but Charkha spinning holds an extremely important place in Mahatma Gandhi's teachings and India's recent history. We will teach the children how to create their own poonis (cigar shaped cotton rolls) for spinning, as well as how to assemble and spin on this fantastic little machine. The key to charkha spinning is that one must learn to be calm and focus on a single point in your spinning fiber -- otherwise your thread will continously break. Very vedantic in its simplicity ...

Unfortunately, because of the sharp points on the spindles, we are offering this station only to the older children (grades 4 and up).

We truly hope that each of our campers will choose to explore this wonderful craft!

Takhli Cotton Spinning


© jmg 2009

Summer Camp 2009, 2010
Takhli spinning will be available to all grades. This is the tool that most of our camper's grandparents had to learn when they were in grade school! Here the children will learn how to card raw cotton, roll them into poonis, and then spin it into yarn.

Paper Sculpture and Pop-Up Cards







Summer Camp 2009, 2010 (Grades 4 and up)

Art Projects for this week will be paper sculpture/stand-up cards of the different Gods and Goddesses. We will explore pop-up paper structures as well as other paper engineering techniques, encouraging the kids to see paper as a moving, 3-dimensional material. The older children (grades 4 and up) will focus on design and problem solving skills, while the younger children (grades 3 and below) will be introduced to the art of creating pop-up cards.

July 6 - July 10

Bookmaking



©jmg 2009

The image of Lord Shiva from a postcard that was used for bulk mailing.
Summer Camp 2009

This week we will dedicate our creativity to making a book of a chosen God/Goddess. The children will take a printed image (from a magazine, calendar, etc) and design an "altar book" around it. They will be able to work with a myriad of materials -- beads, felt, decorative handmade papers, gemstones, etc.) This project will encourage them to not only think about books as 3-dimensional objects, but more importantly, how to take an image of God from an magazine or calendar that is not of high quality, isolate the image of God, and then sculpt it into something with great personal meaning.

Chinmaya Mission Alphabet

We have all learned our alphabet – but let's review what the letters stand for!

A is for Ambition
which elevates you to higher ideals.

B is for Brotherhood
which links one and all together.

C is for Cleanliness
which good boys and girls should cultivate.

D is for Dad
who works hard for our health and education.

E is for Enthusiasm
which is the first step for reaching success.

F is for Friendship
which can be bought but can easily be won with love.

G is for God
Who made us and loves us, and helps us to live and love.

H is for Health
which is our greatest wealth.

I is for Immortality
which is gained through great sacrifices and selfless deeds.

J is for Joy
which brightens our days and sweetens our life.

K is for Kindness
which is a miracle to drive sadness away and bring sunshine to the poor, weak and sick.

L is for Love
which like the sun warms itself and all others around.

M is for Mother
who is Divine and the very symbol of sacrifice, whose only concern is our welfare.

N is for Nobility
which is the brightest jewel of our character.

O is for Obedience
which we must always show to Mother, Father, Teacher and God.

P is for Prayer
which is the greatest solace and protection under all circumstances.

Q is for Quiet
which is so precious and rare because in the quietude of our heart God speaks to us.

R is for Righteousness
which we must imbibe in all our thoughts, words and deeds.

S is for Smile
which is our Swamiji’s motto for all BalaVihar children.

T is for Truth
which is to be adhered to at all times.

U is for Unity
United we stand, but divided we fall.

V is for Victory
Victory of goodness over evil — all your aspirations should be.

W is for Work
which is dedicated service and a key to win God’s love.

X is for (E)xcellence
which could be gained by sincere and regular studies.

Y is for Youth
which is the best period for striving to reach our goal.

Z is for Zeal
which helps in all our endeavors.

(Taken from "My Prayers", published by Chinmaya Publications)

Good Manners

1. Good manners come out of good character. Build up a good character when you are young.

2. Good thoughts make a good mind. A good mind makes a person good.

3. All good manners should start at home. Respect your parents and follow their advice. Be kind and good to your brothers and sisters.

4. Earn a good name at your school. Be regular in attendance, diligent and well behaved. Respect your teachers and love your companions.

5. Learn to plan all the ordinary indoor and outdoor games. Play with interest, without quarreling or cheating.

6. Be helpful to everyone as far as you can.

7. Always speak the truth.

8. See, talk and follow the good qualities you observe in others. If you find any bad qualities observe them silently and make sure you do not repeat them.

9. Be very careful when you walk on public roads. Learn the rules of the road.

10. When you meet anyone for the first time in the day salute him or her with a proper form of address like “Harih Om,” “Namaste,” “Good Morning,” etc.

11. Do prayer at least for half an hour a day. Sing the songs and bhajans taught to you in the Balavihar.

(Taken from "My Prayers," published by Chinmaya Publications.)

June 22 - June 26

Mala Making and Bead Weaving


Mala made from Sandalwood and
semi-precious stones



Felt bag with a beaded design of
Lord Ganesha, made on a bead-loom.



©jmg 2009
Summer Camp 2009

Art Projects for this week will involve making:

• knotting a Mala (108 beads)
• a felted bag for the mala
• a beaded "Hari OM" bracelet or bookmark woven on a loom

We will begin our summer camp art projects by knotting a 108 bead mala -- Swamiji will then teach us how to correctly use it. Students will take pieces of wool felt and sew them together to make a bag for the mala -- they can choose to decorate it or not. Then, during the last half of the week (if they have completed their mala and bag), we will teach the children how to use a bead loom and weave a "Hari OM" bracelet or bookmark. Not only will they learn how to set up (dress) their loom properly, but they will also learn to read the design from graph paper, as well as weave their design.

OM Sarveshaam Svasti Bhavatu

Om Sarveshaam svasti bhavatu
Sarveshaam shaantirbhavatu
Sarveshaam poornam bhavatu
Sarveshaam mangalam bhavatu

Om May perfection prevail on all
May peace prevail on all
May contentment prevail on all
May auspiciousness prevail on all

ऊँ सर्वेषां स्वस्ति भवतु।
सर्वेषां शान्तिभर्वतु।
सर्वेशां पूर्ण भवतु।
सर्वेषां मंगलं भवतु।

Chinmaya Mission Pledge

We stand as one family
bound to each other with love and respect.

We serve as an army,
courageous and disciplined,
ever ready to fight against all low tendencies and false values
within and without us.

We live honestly
the noble light of sacrifice and service.
Producing more than what we consume
and giving more than what we take.

We seek the Lord’s grace
to keep us on the path of virtue, courage and wisdom.

May Thy grace and blessings flow
through us to the world around us.

We believe that the service of our country
is the service of the Lord of Lords,
and devotion to the people
is the devotion to the Supreme Self.

We know our responsibilities;
give us the ability and courage to fulfil them.

OM TAT SAT

Before Meals

Brahmaarpanam Brahma havir
Brahmaagnau Brahmanaa hutam;
Brahmaiva tena gantavyam
Brahmakarmasamaadhinaa

Brahman is the oblation; Brahman is the clarified butter, etc. Constituting the offerings, b y Brahman is the oblation poured into the fire of Brahman; Brahman verily shall be reached by him who always sees Brahman in all actions.

ब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्म हविब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम्।
ब्रह्मैव तेन गन्तव्यं ब्रह्मकर्मसमाधिना।।

Early Morning Prayer

Early Morning Prayer

Karaagre vasate Lakshmi
karamoole Sarasvatee
karamadhye tu Govindah
prabhaate karadarshanam

On the tip of your fingers is Goddess Lakshmi
On the base of your fingers is Goddess Sarasvati
In the middle of your fingers is Lord Govinda
In this manner you look at your palms.

कराग्रे वसते लक्ष्मीः करमूले सरस्वती
करमध्ये तु गोविन्दः, प्रभाते करदर्शनम्

Before Studies

Sarasvati namastubhyam
varade kaamaroopini
vidyaarambham karishyaami
siddhir bhavatu me sadaa

On, Goddess Sarasvati, my humble prostrations unto Thee, who are the fulfiller of all my wishes. I start my studies with the request that Thou wilt bestow Thy blessings on me.)

सरस्वति नमस्तुभ्यं, वरदे कामरूपिणि
विद्यारम्भं करिष्यामि सिद्धिर्भवतु मे सदा

Gurur Brahmaa, Gurur Vishnuh

Gurur Brahmaa Gurur Vishnuh
Gurur Devo Maheshvarah;
Gurureva param Brahma
tasmai shree Gurave namah

गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णु: गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः
गुरुरेव परं ब्रह्म तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः

OM saha naavavatu

Om saha naavavatu
saha nau bhunaktu
saha veeryam karavaavahai
tejasvinaavadheetamastu
maa vidvishaavahai
om shaantih shaantih shaantih!

OM, may he Lord protect us,
May He cause us to enjoy,
May we exert together,
May our studies be thorough and faithful,
May we never quarrel with each other.
Om Peace, Peace, Peace.

ऊँ सह नाववतु सह नौ भुनक्तु
सह वीर्यं करवावहै।
तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु
मा विचद्विषावहै
ऊँ शान्ति: शान्ति: शान्ति:

Daily Schedule

9:00 - 9:15 a.m.
Morning Prayers


9:15 - 9:45 a.m.
Chanting


9:45 - 10:15 a.m.
Stretching and Yoga


10:15 - 10:30 a.m.
Mid-morning Snack


10:30 - 12:00 p.m.
Temples of India Classes


12:15 - 1:00 p.m.
Lunch


1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Outdoor/Independent Activities


2:00 - 4:15 p.m.
Art Class


4:15- 4:30 p.m.
Clean-up


4:30 p.m.
End of Day Prayers

Cross-Stitching



© jmg 2009

Summer Camp 2009
The children can learn cross-stitching and needlepoint -- using plastic canvas, yarn and designs that they created on graph paper. They will be able to make bookmarks, wall hangings, book covers -- the possibilities are endless!

All materials are age appropriate.

Designing on Graph Paper




© jmg 2009

Summer Camp 2009
This is the station where the kids learn that one design can be interpreted into many mediums! The children will explore the process of putting their ideas onto graph paper to use with cross-stitching, paper mosaics, weaving, bead-weaving, etc.

Off-Loom Bead Weaving






© jmg 2009

Summer Camp 2009
Once the children understand the concept of weaving on the bead-loom, we will encourage them to explore off-loom techniques (peyote stitch, and square stitch.) Here they will, again, work from their designs on graph paper (separate station) and create wall hangings, panels for small bags, jewelry, etc. We will have large beads (which are easier to manage) for the younger children and smaller seed beads for the older children.

Bead Weaving




© jmg 2009

Summer Camp 2009
This station, which is available to both age groups, will be dedicated to learning how to weave narrow objects on a bead loom. The children will develop their skills in dressing the loom, color blending, and shaping. We will encourage them to plan all the different elements of their work onto graph paper (a separate station) before they begin their weaving.

August 10 - August 14

Puppet Making
(image to be posted shortly)
Summer Camp- 2009

The last week of camp will be dedicated to making hand puppets. The children will have different materials to choose from in creating their puppets ... felt, clay, beads, yarn, paint, etc. We will strongly encourage them to reflect on the stories that Swamiji has told them as their source of inspiration.

All puppet making techniques will be age appropriate. Some of the younger children may opt for easier materials to work with like paper, glue, markers, clay, etc.

August 3 - August 7

Modeling Clay





©jmg 2009
Summer Camp 2009

For Week 7 we will focus our energy on clay modeling. We will begin the week with making a diya for our Puja Thali -- and will then finish up the week with creating clay whistles (and possibly ocarinas for the older children). Everyone will start with making the basic foundation of a hollow clay ball and whistle mechanism. From there the kids can use their imaginations and turn them into anything they want -- animals, sea creatures, aliens ... the possibilities are endless!

And yes, they really do make sound!

July 27 - July 31

Puja Thali
(picture to be posted soon)
Summer Camp 2009

This week we will explore the world of papier mache. The children will spend 2 or three days sculpting their thali -- and the last two days will be spent painting and decorating it.

Papier mache is a wonderfully tactile medium, and the kids usually like to really dig in and lather their hands with it. The only problem is when it dries it can be pretty stiff and uncomfortable. Therefore, we highly recommend sending in an extra pair of clothes or a painter's smock (maybe one of dad's old work shirts) with your child this week.

July 20 - July 24

3-D Felt Animals



©jmg 2009
Summer Camp 2009

During Week 4 the children learned how to work with felt, making a toran. This week we will build on our skills and create 3-dimensional felt animals. The children will choose different animal and flower patterns (birds, turtles, etc.) to cut, stuff, sew and design. Once they are finished with their designing they can opt to turn them into a wall hanging or mobile.

July 13 - July 17

Toran Making


©jmg 2009
Summer Camp 2009

This week we will focus on making and decorating a toran. We will use wool felt as our material to begin with -- and then decorate with macrame, beads, gemstones, etc. The design possibilities are endless!