Cultural Camp for Children Spreading Positivity in Guwahati

Learning isn’t all about studying the books, finishing the curriculum and scoring in exams. Education, as a whole stretches beyond all this. Whenever any vacation approaches, a lot of parents get their children enrolled in a variety of workshops like martial arts, painting and sketching, dance, etc. to be able to harp on these skills, at the earliest. On top of that, finishing the courses on advance as a self goal is another target imposed by the parents. Most of the summer camps organized during summer vacation end up being only hobby classes. But Hare Krishna Movement has brought in the concept of learning with a huge change and holistically, by organizing not-just-a-summer-camp, but a “Culture Camp” in Guwahati.

Surprised? Yes, you read it right; it’s not summer camp; it’s a cultural camp that emphasizes on making children value culture and learn it so as to become a better person.

Well, the Hare Krishna Movement, Guwahati, has been organizing Cultural Camp in Guwahati for the students of different schools, since four years now. It was a seven-day affair. The camp began on 16^th of July, 2018 and continued until 22^nd July. Last year, this camp was organized with the same concept, at Balaji Temple, Guwahati, and it saw a massive participation, then.

This year, this Cultural Camp was organized at the Delhi Public School, Lakhra. With an aim at reinforcing the values of Indian heritage, and spiritual culture, the camp has prepared a well strategized and methodical curriculum for the camp, where the children are taught about Bhagawad Gita, Shlokas, Kirtan, and other spiritual teachings, in addition to the dance, drama, songs from the Vedic scriptures along with other fun filled activities. It is a place where the children get to know how a “Tilak” benefits; what is Saatvik food; how does Saatvik food get us close to God; and so on. The camp ended with a talent show showcased before parents and other guests.

This year, students from various schools took an active part in this cultural camp. There were students from various schools, including the NPS International School, Maharishi Vidya Mandir, Sarla Birla, Royal Global School, Don Bosco, etc. Evidently, there is a twist to the summer camp curriculum; hence, it is termed as a “cultural camp,” which is actually a requirement for the children, as they too face the aftermath of the fast-paced life that barely lets the parents spend time with their children, then somehow the existence of the glory of culture and heritage in one’s life starts fading. In such scenarios, inducing positivity is imperative, and such small doses of peace (that make you learn the beauty of life) become quite helpful. So, when there is so much of positivity in the air, how can negativity affect one? Cultural Camp is an ideal way to detoxify the body, and mind while learning new skills.