FAQ

Shraddhaa 2007

1) Eligibility

 

1a) Who can attend?

 

All teenagers aged 13-18 are welcome to attend. NO prior knowledge of Samskritam or Devanagari is required. Prior knowledge of another Indian language is beneficial but not required.

 

1b) My child is 11. Can s/he still attend the camp?                                 

 

The age range for the camp is 13-18 and as such we’d like to stick to the age range. Please contact one of the volunteers listed at the end if you have any further questions.

 

1c) What proportion of girls and boys will be attending the camp?

                                        

We are aiming for 50% girls and 50% boys, however we will not know for sure until all the teens have registered. Regardless of the number, boys and girls will be accommodated in separate buildings.

 

2) Registration Details

 

2a) What are the fees for the camp?

 

The fees are $250 per participant, and $200 for each additional sibling attending. Travel grants are available (see below).

 

2b) What is a travel grant and how do I apply?

 

Those participants who will be flying to attend the camp are eligible for a travel grant, provided that the cost of the flight ticket is greater than $200. Those who receive a travel grant will get a $100 refund of their camp fees. If you are interested in the travel grant, please check the box on the online registration form, and you will be directed to the travel grant form. Please print the form, attach a copy of the itinerary with the cost of the ticket, and mail to Kartik Shastri, 16 Downing Road Lexington, MA 02421. We will notify you if you qualify for the travel grant.

 

2c) When will I receive the travel grant?

 

Those participants who have completed the application for the travel grant and qualify for the grant will be notified before the start of the camp. Participants who qualify will receive their grants in the mail two weeks after the camp.

 

2d) I’ve completed the basic registration, but I forgot to print the authorization/disclosure/travel subsidy forms and pay through paypal. What do I do?

 

The links for the forms and Paypal are included in the registration confirmation email that every registrant receives after completing the basic registration form. If you are unable to find that email, or never received it, then the authorization and disclosure forms are available here:

 

http://www.speaksanskrit.org/shraddhaa/authorizeForm.pdf
http://www.speaksanskrit.org/shraddhaa/subsidyForm.pdf

 

The link for Paypal is specific to each registrant, so if you still need to pay by Paypal, then please send an email with your name and the name of the registrant to shraddhaa@speaksanskrit.org.

 

2e) When will the camp start?

 

Camp will start on Saturday, June 23rd at noon and end on Wednesday, June 27th at 1:00 pm. We will be providing lunch at 12:30 pm on both days.

 

2f) Where should my teen go when s/he arrives at the camp?

 

All participants are expected to check in at the sign-in desk staffed by Samskrita-Bharati volunteers. This desk will be located in the main office of the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam. There will be signs to the registration desk. Click here for a map. 

 

2g) Can my teen arrive late?

 

We highly discourage participants from coming late, as they will be missing classes (it would be difficult to catch up with the rest of the class) as well as other activities. If you have questions, please contact one of the volunteers (names and phone numbers are given at the end of this document).

 

2h) Are parents allowed to attend the camp?

 

A few parents who would like to help out with the logistics of the camp will be needed. There will not be any classes targeted for parents, nor will parents be staying with their teens. Please contact one of the volunteers listed at the bottom of the document if you are a parent interested in volunteering for the camp.

 

3) Activities

 

3a) What activities will be there at the camp?

 

Each day will include approximately three hours of class time, with various other outdoor and indoor activities throughout the day. Below is a sample schedule for one day’s activities. Please note that this is a tentative schedule and may change.

 

S.no

Time

dinacarI

Daily time-table

1

6:15-7:00 am

utthaanaM snaanaM ca

Waking up and Bath

2

7:00-7:45 am

praarthanA yogaH ca

Prarthana and Yoga

3

8:00-8:30 am

alpaahaaram

Breakfast

4

8:30-9:45 am

Prathamaa kakShyaa

First class

4

10:00-11:15 am

bhaaShaa-kriiDaaH

Language Games

5

11:30-12:30pm

dvitIyaa kakshA

Second class

6

12:30-1:30 pm

bhOjanam

Lunch

7

1:30-2:30 pm

vishrAntiH

Free time

8

2:45-3:45 pm

tRtIyaa kakshA

Third class

9

3:45-5:00 pm

sa~NghaTana-kaaryakramaaH

Outdoor group activity (e.g. hiking, scavenger hunts, camp skills)

10

5:00-6:00 pm

vishrAntiH

Free time

11

6:00-6:30 pm

bhajanAni

Bhajans

12

6:30-7:30 pm

bhOjanam

Dinner

13

7:45-9:00 pm

manOra~njana-kaaryakramaaH

Entertainment programs/Camp fire

 

4) Teaching

 

4a) My son/daughter already goes to Samskritam classes at home. Will this camp be appropriate for him/her?

 

Yes, the classes will be split into two levels: beginner and intermediate. Those who have no prior knowledge of Samskritam will be in the beginners level and those who have some basic conversation skills will be in the intermediate level.

 

4b) Who will be teaching?

 

Classes will be taught by Samskrita Bharati youth volunteers.

 

4c) Where will the classes be held?

 

Classes will be held in two of the buildings located at the Gurukulam. Those in the intermediate class will be in one building, while those in the beginners classes will be in the other.

 

4d) Will course material be provided?

 

Yes, course material in the form of handouts will be provided. Exercise books will be available for purchase at the campsite. Your teen may want to bring Samskritam books (especially Samskrita Bharati or Rashtriya Samskrita Samsthanam publications) or study material for reference, however this is by no means required.

 

5) Transportation to the Camp

 

5a) Where will the camp be held?

 

The camp will be held at the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam in Saylorburg, PA.

 

5b) What is the address of the campsite?

 

5050 Hamilton Road South

(Old Rte. 115)
Saylorsburg, PA 18353

570-992-2339

 

5c) How do I get to the campsite?

 

Directions are available on the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam site: http://www.arshavidya.org/info_directions.html.

 

5d) Whom do I contact if I get lost along the way?

 

Please contact one of the volunteers listed at the bottom of this document.

 

5e) The camp ends at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, but I work and will not be able to pick up my son/daughter until the evening. What do I do?

 

Please send an email to shraddhaa@speaksanskrit.org notifying us that you will be picking up your teen late and we will accommodate him/her until the evening.

 

5f) Are there any other teens going to the camp from my area whom I could carpool with or fly with?

 

If you are interested in carpooling or booking tickets together, please either send an email to shraddhaa@speaksanskrit.org, or contact one of the volunteers listed at the bottom of the document and we will put you in touch with the other participants from your area.

 

5g) Where is the closest airport?

 

The closest airport is the Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), 3311 Airport Rd, Allentown, PA. If your teen is traveling by plane to the camp, we recommend s/he fly into this airport.

 

5h) Do some airlines charged fees for children under 15 traveling alone?

 

Some airlines do and others don’t. If you are flying to the camp, please be sure to check the airline regulations before buying your ticket. If you run across any issues with additional fees, please either send an email to shraddhaa@speaksanskrit.org, or contact one of the volunteers listed at the bottom of this document.

 

5i) Is there any transportation from the airport to the campsite?

 

Samskrita-Bharati has volunteers who will provide transportation from the airport to the camp site. Please send an email with the flight itinerary to shraddhaa@speaksanskrit.org and we will arrange for pick up/drop off to the airport.

 

5j) What if the only flight available reaches the night before the camp starts, or will be leaving the day after the camp ends?

 

Please send an email to shraddhaa@speaksanskrit.org notifying us of the arrival and departure dates and we will provide accommodation.

 

 

6) Facilities

 

6a) How are the lodging facilities?

 

The teens will be accommodated in three adjacent buildings with eight rooms in each building (click here for a map). Each room has two beds and will be used to room two teens. Half of the rooms in each building will have a private bath, while the other half of each building is set up such that there is a bathroom for every two rooms. The rooms consist of a dresser, desk, closet, lamp, phone and two beds. The Gurukulam provides linens for the bedroom and bathroom. The bathroom has a shower, sink and toilet. All the buildings have central heating and air conditioning. There will be a counselor for every four to five teens, who will also be staying in the same buildings. Girls and boys will be accommodated in separate buildings.

 

6b) Is there electricity in the buildings?

 

Yes, all the buildings have electricity with electrical sockets to plug in appliances.

 

6c) Do the buildings have internet access?

 

There are a few computers in the recreation building with internet access which will be available for all the teens to use. The building also has a wireless network, however we strongly discourage teenagers from bringing laptops as they are an expensive technology and neither Samskrita-Bharati nor Arsha Vidya Gurukulam is reliable in the case that something happens to the laptops.

 

6b) Both my teenagers are attending. Should they pack separate bags?

 

Yes, please pack separate bags for each teen, as they may be accommodated in separate buildings. 

 

6c) Are there any telecommunication facilities?

 

Cellular phone reception in the camp may not be reliable – don’t plan to rely on cell phones to communicate! For outgoing phone calls, a payphone is available as well as the Gurukulam phones.

 

6d) What kind of food would be available at the camp?

 

Morning continental breakfast, Indian Vegetarian Lunch/Dinner, Evening Tea/Coffee/Snacks would be provided at the camp. If your teen has any specific preferences, please have them bring what they need. Please let us know if your teen has any dietary restrictions or allergies.

 

6e) Are there any laundry facilities?

 

There are NO Laundry facilities (washer/dryer) at the campsite. Please bring enough clothing for 5 days.

 

7) Things to bring/Things not to bring

 

7a) What are the things to bring for the camp?

 

• If your son/daughter has personal preferences, plan to pack sleeping bags, blankets, pillows and bed-sheets. However, the campsite would be providing mattresses, blankets, pillows, bed-sheets, comforters etc. for all participants.

• Toiletry items (Tooth paste & brush, Soap, comb, towels etc.), items of personal hygiene

• Personal prescription medicine (please notify us if your teen will be bringing prescription medications)

• Some warm clothing

• Loose clothing - for Yoga sessions

• Laundry bag

• Shoes/Sneakers

• Plastic water bottle

• Mosquito/Insect Repellent

• Personal alarm clock

• Flashlight

• Umbrella/raincoat

• Notebooks, Pens/Pencils

• Optional

• Any musical instruments - To participate in cultural events

• Indian Clothing for the cultural events in the evening

• Camera, film

• Calling cards and quarters for payphone, as cell phone signal coverage may not be reliable.

 

7b) What kind of clothing is necessary?

 

Weather is very unpredictable and it might get a little cooler during nights. So, please pack some kind of warm clothing (sweater, light jacket, socks etc) in addition to summer clothing to wear during afternoon games and hiking. Also, since we have yoga/meditation session every morning, please pack some loose clothes and a yoga mat or beach towel. A poncho or umbrella or rain coat would also be useful in case it rains. In addition, some informal Indian clothing would be appropriate for the evening programs.

 

7c) What should my teen NOT bring?

 

Any expensive items such as, jewelry, TV, radio, cassette players, video games etc. These items can break or be lost easily in the camp. Similarly, hair dryers, curling irons and other personal appliances are also strongly discouraged.

 

8) Health and Safety

 

8a) Would there be a first-aid kit available?

 

There will be a generic medical kit available at the campsite. However, please notify us if your teen has a medical condition and takes medication on a regular basis. Please also have your teen bring his/her medications to the camp.

 

8b) Is there any medical assistance?

 

The nearest hospital is located three miles away:

St Luke's Hospital

Route 209S, Gilbert, PA

610-681-2337

 

General Information

 

• Please make sure that authorization and disclosure forms have been completed and mailed to us by June 16th.

• Please notify us if your teen has any specific medical needs or dietary needs if you have not already done so.

• Smoking and alcohol are prohibited at any point during the camp. 

• Quiet Time: 11pm – 6am

 

Please contact us if you have any questions:

 

shraddhaa@speaksanskrit.org

 

Sowmya Joisa: 425-891-8807

Anil Mavanur: 978-486-0380

Kartik Shastri: 781-325-6023

Prakruti Mavanur: 978-486-0380

Varija Yelagalawadi: 408-871-0351

Muthu Narayanan: 630-527-9308

 

Please visit Samskrita-Bharati website for activities in your area http://www.samskrita-bharati.org.