Bala Vihar Winter Camp at Chinmaya Prerana, Navi Mumbai began with a family picnic. The young campers along with their parents and grandparents visited various temples and ashrams in Lonavla and Khopoli. The first halt was at Shree Narayani Dham Temple in Lonavla where campers were greeted by Swami Medhajananda. All visited the temple and gaushala. Many children were seeing a cowshed for the first time! Some children fed the cows and were amazed at their huge size. The children enjoyed the park where they played on swings and slides.
Next was the Durga Parmeshwari Temple where Swamiji conducted a melodious bhajan session. Next was Gagangiri Maharaj Ashram, where Swamiji conducted the inaugural session of the Camp and wished all the campers a fun-filled and spiritually satisfying time. The most enthralling part of the trip was the trek to the caves near the ashram. The last place to visit was Khopoli Ashram. The return journey was filled with singing of bhajans, recalling memorable incidents of the day and making new friends. After dinner at Prerana ashram, parents and grandparents dispersed, bidding goodbye to their wards for the remaining camp.
Chinmaya Mission Navi Mumbai organised Bala Vihar Winter Camp with an inspiring theme, ‘5G Attitude of Gratitude’. The camp had a participation of 35 residential and non-residential children across Navi Mumbai. Children learnt about the five rnas, debts and how to inculcate an attitude of gratitude to repay them. Swamini Nishkalananda who was in charge of the camp gave a basic understanding of debts, from gross to subtle, explaining through insightful stories. Sessions were designed, scheduled and managed with an objective to enlighten children of the five yagnas, which are actions performed to repay debts to deva, pitr, rishi, bhoota (nature) and manushya. Daily, sessions started at 7 am and lights were turned off by 10 pm. Learning and chanting of Shishyanushaasam from Taittiriya Upanishad was an enriching experience for the children.
The second day of the camp was the day of solar eclipse. The children made japa mala, chanted Naamasmarana and donated rice and grains. Evening was spent with girls from a nearby orphanage. The children made donations of needy items and the things they made during the eclipse. Swaminiji’s sessions were thoroughly enjoyed by the children. She told value-based stories, had role-play and deep reflective activities. This learning was further strengthened with relevant games, helping children identify and connect debts and repayment deeds.
Swamini Swaprabhanandaji’s session focused on valuing the gifts of a healthy life with family, friends and relatives, compared to those living in shelter homes without parents. She also highlighted the importance of maintaining mental stability with positive thoughts and actions. Delicious, healthy and sattvic meals and snacks were enjoyed by the children. Evenings were blissfully spent at the temple, with aarti and energising bhajans. The movie, Inside Out was shown. There was a campfire too. The children greatly enjoyed all these activities.
An icing on the cake was Br. Yukta Chaitanya’s interactive session, detailing the granular behaviour outlined, to show gratitude towards Nature, Guru, God and all those humans, known and unknown, who have contributed and supported our lives. The best part of this session was that children themselves came up with many ideas, which showed understanding of the subject. The camp concluded with a lot of learning and a feeling of gratitude to all those who contributed to its success.
