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News Release: VHP-Houston 11th Annual Youth Camp


     News Release: VHP-Houston 11th Annual Youth Camp:  A Grand Success
     Prepared by Vikas Kalra, Rupal Patel and Nutan Mehta 
     (Editing by Beth Kulkarni)
     
     Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHP-A) held its 11th Annual VHP-A 
     Youth Camp from July 30th to August 4th at the Ida Gordon Jewish 
     Community Center near Houston. This was a milestone in that the length 
     of the camp was extended from three days to five days. The camp 
     director, Rakhi Israni, a law student, was the camp director, assisted 
     by a staff of 27 high school graduates and college students who had 
     been campers in previous years. One hundred three campers from the 
     ages of seven to sixteen enjoyed various games, arts and crafts 
     activities, and educational sessions.  Eight of these participants 
     were sponsored by community members in order that needy students not 
     be prevented from attending . The camp ended on Sunday afternoon with 
     the presentation of awards to all campers and a brief program 
     demonstrating achievements to the closing ceremony gathering of 
     parents and VHP volunteers. Amit Misra, one of the first campers, now 
     a lawyer gave inspiring lectures to the youth. The theme of this 
     year's camp was "Great Hindu Personalities."  Topics mainly focused on 
     learning about religious, political and social leaders. 
     
     The elementary school age group learned a lot, not the least of which 
     was realizing that they could, to a large extent, take care of 
     themselves. Six-year-old Mihir Bhadbhode complained the first day 
     saying that he missed his parents. Mihir's complaints slowly 
     diminished during the week as he realized that he could manage quite 
     well without their presence. As a result of many small, interactive 
     group activities the campers got to know one another and made deep 
     friendships. According to one counselor, the "greatest result of the 
     camp was the vast amount of knowledge learned by the campers. They 
     understood the lives of many Hindu leaders ranging from Swami 
     Vivekananda to Mirabai. They also memorized the Indian national anthem 
     and various devotional songs (bhajans.)" Nine-year-old Chandwav 
     explained this aspect of the camp best when she remarked "I learned 
     about things you can only learn in India and not here in America."  
     Counselors, as well as campers, learned a lot during the week, as well 
     as in the period of preparing for the camp. Arjun Mohindra, an 
     elementary counselor, pointed out that he learned many leadership and 
     managerial techniques from the puzzling situations he was required to 
     solve. Ashish Gupta, elementary coordinator, cherished the fact that 
     he was asked by one of the campers at the end of camp if he would be 
     coordinator of next year's camp.
     
     "1996 VHP camp has been the best camp I have attended in five years" 
     said 13-year-old, middle-school student Devany Patel. The six 
     counselors for Middle School  taught the youth about Lord Rama, Guru 
     Nanak, Mirabai, Subhush Chandra Bose and Thuji Ki Rani. The kids 
     enjoyed learning about these people.  playing various Indian games. 
     They also participated in different arts and crafts activities such as 
     making ice cream, a name quilt and aarthi thalis. They also 
     participated in various Indian games, canoeing and swimming. Their 
     counselors considered them "a great group of kids."
     
     The high school students were an eager, enthusiastic group who made 
     the most of their educational hours. They learned about the great 
     rulers Shivaji, Bhoja, and Rana Pratap. They gained an appreciation 
     for the difficulties of the Indian freedom struggle when they learned 
     about Subhash Chandra Bose. They learned about Indian scientists such 
     as Aryabhata and Chandragupta who made discoveries before their 
     western counterparts.  Not all hours were dedicated to education. The 
     high school group also sewed pillows, made garlands and built and 
     painted a temple. Recreational activities included Indian games such 
     as Ko, swimming, basketball, volleyball, cricket and canoeing. The 
     campers especially enjoyed the Field Day in which they played 
     tug-of-war, three-legged races, dizzy bats, and water balloon toss.
     
     "Out of all the camps I've been to, this one was the best" said 
     15-year old Mickey Wadera.
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