2014 Summer Programs for Children and Teens

It’s almost summer. Perhaps you have some time and no plans yet? I wanted to let you know about some really incredible local and international offerings for children and teens. Some of these are Shambhala Programs and some are offered by organizations that we have worked with. Vajrapani is a local Tibetan Buddhist retreat center and they hosted our Rites of Passage campout. An amazing place and wonderful group of people there. Inward Bound is an organization based on the East Coast, but they offer retreats in Northern California regularly. Jessica Morey, founder and Director was part of our recent program on Teaching Mindfulness and Compassion in Schools and Community Youth Organizations. Also, our very own Katrin Welch, Bay Area Ziji Collective Leader and SF Shambhala member is one of the guides on the iBme retreat.
May your summer be full of richness and joy! And you are all invited to our Midsummer’s Day festivities on June 21st: http://sf.shambhala.org/program-details/?id=176355
In the Great Eastern Sun,
Leslie Gossett
Northern California Shambhala Families and Children’s Programming
Co-Director

Shambhala Sun Camp
Colorado, Nova Scotia, France

10-16 year olds
Campers have been returning time and again to experience nature, themselves, and a community where people take care of one another. Campers leave behind television, video games, and other kinds of urban entertainments in exchange for the simplicity of living in a tent in nature. Experiencing the weather, cooking and eating together, practicing being awake and aware, and taking part in other traditional camp activities form the basis for a simple, profound experience. Sun Camp is inspired and based on the Shambhala Buddhist teachings, but is open to people of all backgrounds and interests.
http://shambhalasuncamp.org/

Shambhala Family Camp
Colorado, Vermont

3 to 10 year olds/ whole families
Looking to get away to nature with your family this summer? Come nurture bonds while rejuvenating your spirit in the beautiful terrain of Shambhala Mountain Center. Family Camp is a creative and contemplative retreat the whole family can enjoy. Take time for yourself in the mornings with meditation, yoga, workshops, or just relaxing in nature while your children participate in enriching group activities like Rites of Passage. Then come together as a family in the afternoons and evenings for fun activities like guided hiking, kite flying, calligraphy, dharma art, storytelling, and singing.
http://www.shambhalamountain.org/program/fc814family-camp-rites-passage/

Vajrapani Family Camp
Boulder Creek, CA (in the Santa Cruz Mountains)

5 to 12 year olds

Family Camp has been a popular highlight of our summer program since 1994. 

Its purpose is to offer children a foundation in Tibetan Buddhist thinking and practice, to remind or instruct parents in some basics of philosophy and rituals, and to foster the values of Dharma in daily life. In a delightful mix of play and structure, both kids and adults have the opportunity to do an art project or two, meditate in age appropriate groups, enjoy a docent-led nature walk, learn how to offer water bowls, do a fire puja and other traditional rituals, participate in or applaud a talent show, and much more.   It creates the opportunity for adults and children to share in shaping a family foundation in the Dharma.

http://www.vajrapani.org/rssfeed/item/32-family-camp-2014

Vajrapani Teen Camp
Boulder Creek, CA (in the Santa Cruz Mountains)

13-18 year olds
Teen camp gives teens a fun, friendly space to explore deeper issues in life through lively discussion, fun activities, guided meditations of various types, and time to chill with new friends.  Parents are also welcome and can participate in a separate parallel program.
http://www.vajrapani.org/rssfeed/item/30-teen-camp-2014

iBme Wilderness Retreat
Emigrant Wilderness, CA

15-19 Year Olds
On this wilderness retreat, we will spend time each daylearning mindfulness meditation — a scientifically proven practice that builds emotional resilience, inner strength and well being. We will also learn wilderness skills, cultivate our awareness of the natural world, develop wilderness skills, and connect with each other through facilitated discussions, fun games and downtime.
ibme.info