2014 Summer Programs for Children and Teens
Leslie Gossett
Northern California Shambhala Families and Children’s Programming
Shambhala Sun Camp
Colorado, Nova Scotia, France
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
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)
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