Shraddhaa 2008 FAQ

click here to read FAQ as a pdf file

1) Eligibility

1a) Who can attend?

 All teenagers aged 12-16 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 12-16 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 $350 for the first teen from each family, and $300 per subsequent teen from the same family. Fee includes lodging, food, teaching and materials for the duration of the camp. There will be a $25 early bird registration refund if the fee is paid before May 15. The refund will be given at the camp.

2b) What is a travel grant and how do I apply? When will I receive the travel grant?

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 qualify for the travel grant will receive a $100 refund of their camp fees. If you are interested in the travel grant, please check the box on the online registration form, complete the travel grant form available in the Documents and links page, 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.  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.

2c) Is there a refund if I cancel my registration after paying the fee?

If the participant’s registration is cancelled before June 15, then refund of the fee will be reduced by $25 per participant. Refunds for cancellations made after June 15 will be reduced by $50 per participant.

2d) I’ve completed the basic registration, but I forgot to print the  forms and/or 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, the forms are available in the Documents and links page. 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 registration will begin at 10 am on Sunday, June 22^nd. Camp activities will officially begin after lunch (around 1:30 pm). The camp will end on Saturday , June 28^th at 1:00 pm. We will be providing lunch at 12:30 pm on both days for parents as well.

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. Check the Campsite and Directions link for a map of the camp site

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?

Parents are discouraged from attending 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.

3b) What activities were there at last year’s camp?

Information about classes and activities as well as pictures from last year’s camp can be found at: http://www.speaksanskrit.org/shraddhaa/followup.html

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

phone: 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 Saturday, 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 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. More details of the lodging will be provided later

6b) Is there electricity in the buildings? Do the buildings have internet access?

Yes, all the buildings have electricity with electrical sockets to plug in appliances. 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 responsible in the case that something happens to the laptops.

6c) 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. 

6d) 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.
 

6e) 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.

6f) Are there any laundry facilities?

There are NO Laundry facilities (washer/dryer) at the campsite. Please bring enough clothing for 7 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. Any alcohol or tobacco products are strictly prohibited and participants found to have any alcohol or tobacco products will be sent home. Any luggage brought to the camp may be subject to inspection. 

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 at the earliest and surely before June 15^th.

• 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  

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