The Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA) is an organization that aims to preserve and promote the Hindu religion, and serve the Indian-American community and the population in India through seva, or “service”, projects.  The web site of VHPA gives a great summary on the activities and ambitions of the organization, and even the controversies surrounding it.  The website gives membership and contact information on youth summer camp, but the web site does not include detailed, insider information and opinion on the camps.

The start of VHPA and summer camps…
(as told by Yogesh Naik, the National Seva Coordinator of VHPA)

In 1969, twelve people in a small apartment in Flushing, NY formed the VHPA.  At first, several families would meet socially on holidays and Sundays.  They held lectures to talk religious matters as well as how to maintain the Hindu religion and culture in America.  In 1978, VHPA started the weeklong summer camps with six families and twelve campers.  The purposes of the camp were to instill aspects of culture and religion in the children as well as help to maintain them in the adults, and overall, have a good, fun family gathering.  By 1988, over one hundred campers and seventy volunteers were attending the camp.

What happens at the camps…
(from an ex-camper’s perspective) – (Clicked the colored words to see pictures!)

The camps are a weeklong event in which the campers, from ages 8 to 17, participate in many educational and fun activities, as well as some that they don’t like.  The camp is held in a large campsite that usually have large tents or cabins with bunk beds, a main congregating building in which meals and cultural shows are held, smaller cabins where education classes are held, and usually a large lake for waterfront activities.
It is a true camping experience because of the bugs (Remember the mosquito repellent!) and daddy longlegs spiders and outdoor bathrooms.

Each day follows a similar schedule:
    6:30 a.m. – wake up call
    7 a.m. – yoga instruction
                 Yoga is done in a large field, except when it rains.  The campers and volunteers bring a towel and are
        instructed through yoga exercises by an experienced teacher.
    8:30 a.m. – breakfast and free time
    9:30 a.m. – education class #1
                  The campers are separated into groups by their ages for the education classes and games.  The
        education classes are led by adult volunteers and include activities ranging from readings of the Bhagavad
        Gita to acting out plays on Hindu myths.  Often, the classes deviate from the original topic and discussions (or
        complaint sessions) surface on how Hindu parents differ from American parents, or how Hindu children are
        restricted from dating.  They may also learn how to make crafts such as tie-dying shirts or manipulating clay
        into deities or religious scenes.  There are also classes for the volunteers, where guest lecturers and gurus give
        presentations on the Hindu scriptures and spirituality.
    10:45 a.m. – education class #2
    12 p.m. – lunch
                  All of the meals are wonderful at the camp.  There is always an abundance and variety of vegetarian
        food prepared by the volunteers.  For breakfast, there are plenty of sugary, as well as healthy, cereals, toast,
        muffins, pancakes, milk, juice, and chai.  American food, like sandwiches and pizza, is served for lunch and
        traditional Indian food is served for dinner.  But I think milk and cookies is the favorite meal for the campers.
        The volunteers usually clean up after the campers, but the different groups
    1:30 p.m. - education class #3 or waterfront activities
    2:45 p.m. – waterfront activities
                 Waterfront includes swimming and canoeing.
    4:00 p.m. - snack
    4:30 p.m. – outdoor game time
                  The game time consist of traditional Indian games such as kubbadi and kho-kho, and American
        games like volleyball and basketball.
    5:45 p.m. – shower and free time
    6:30 p.m. – aarti (prayer)
    7 p.m. – dinner
    8:30 p.m. – cultural program
                  The campers put on a show every night and host it as well.  The campers can perform anything they
        want, traditional dances, poems, skits, and songs.  The volunteers are welcome to join in as well.
    9:45 p.m. – milk and cookies
    10 p.m. – bedtime

 Camp is a fun time for both campers and volunteers.  Even the reluctant campers are sad to be leaving at the end of the week.  Sure, they complained about waking up so early and having to go to education classes during the week, but they miss it all when it’s over.  The volunteers also benefit from doing service and being positive influences for the campers.  From the camp, both campers and volunteers are able to learn about their culture and religion, speak out their opinions, display their talents, and most importantly, make friends and enjoy themselves.

Click here to read an interview with Yogesh Naik
 

Please send comments or questions to Urja Shukla