Ashok Nair
CHICAGO: The Bharat Sevashram Sangha( BSS) in Aurora, a southside suburb of Chicago had recently organized a week-long “Youth winter camp” to introduce kids to the basics of Hinduism. The camp was hugely successful, attended by a small but enthusiastic group of kids in the age group of six to 12 years.
The camp began with Swami Mukund Anandaji introducing the children to various ‘mantras’ like the Ganesh Mantra, Gayatri Mantra, the Mahamritunjaya Mantra and the Durga Mantra. He explained the proper intonation and the meaning of each mantra, ably assisted by Sucheta Sadhukhan.
In addition to the spiritual teaching, which included lessons from the Ramayana and the Gita, the children were taught yoga, meditation and arts and crafts by volunteer teachers.
The children were provided with vegetarian food cooked by Swamiji and also home-cooked food provided by volunteers.
The children were also taught the power of positive thinking and the importance of reciting ‘mantras’ before partaking of food.
