This year, Atlanta GOD Satsang & Gopa Kuteeram Program hosted a week-long Ramayana Odyssey themed summer camp at Atlanta Namadwaar. I had the fortune of being a youth volunteer for the week.
Split into two different age groups, the week was filled with cultural activities, from morning yoga to learning about Ramayana with stories and bhajans. Then there was also the kids’ favorite part — games in the afternoon! Every day their enthusiasm grew and the youth volunteers made the activities more engaging for the older and younger kids.
Throughout the camp the kids began chanting Mahamantra on their own and willingly listened and learned. On the final day, they were so excited to show their parents the Divyanamam dances, bhajans and slokas they had learned.
As a youth volunteer, I enjoyed seeing the camp participants making new friends as well as enjoying all of the activities. They were also fond of the other volunteers, so it was more exciting for the kids when a youth volunteer was leading an activity.
What impressed me was that during the camp, many of the kids had started wondering more about Ramayana at home, or some of them would share what they knew with the other kids. As their interest grew, they would take notes whenever they could.
By the final day, both older and younger kids were asking if there would be one more week of camp, or if they could come back next year. It was so nice helping these kids while they happily learned what the camp had to offer.
Kriti Balasubramaniam, Atlanta GA
*****************************
Click here to see all articles in Aug 2024 issue:
https://godivinity.org/newsletters/namadwaar-newsletter-august-2024/
