In an effort to expose our ArshaGokulam college students to the field of seva, they were sent to volunteer at the RamaKrishna Institute of Moral and Spiritual Education Centre (RIMSE) in Mysuru. Their efforts were part of the “Viveka Vidya Vaahini” Trust’s initiative, which conducted four batches of week-long residential summer camps. These camps were designed to equip high school students with moral and spiritual education, as well as to introduce them to the true history and rich culture of Bhaaratha desha. Each batch saw the participation of over 100 students from various parts of Karnataka, totaling around 400 students who benefited from this unique educational experience.
The primary role of the ArshaGokulam volunteers was to attend to the needs of the campers, ensuring their well-being and maintaining discipline. They were responsible for creating a positive, safe, and supportive environment. Despite being teenagers themselves, through their compassionate and attentive care, they quickly became the campers’ favorite akkas (sisters) and annas (brothers). They also taught music, dance, art, and crafts to the junior students. Additionally, they helped with stage programs and compered at the events.
The volunteers also benefited by attending Swami MahaMedhananda ji’s interactive sessions with the students, listening to inspirational heroic stories from various guests who attended the inaugural and valedictory programs of each batch, and participating in various activities conducted by the visiting resource persons.
Our children were lauded by everyone at RIMSE for being instrumental in the success of these summer camps. Their instilled values, samskaara, dedication, hard work, attitude of seva, sharing, and caring, along with their hands-on skills in getting any given task done and their leadership qualities, made them little heroes at the ashram. This sentiment was summed up in the feedback we received: “If even a small percent of campers could imbibe the samskaara similar to that of ArshaGokulam children, then the purpose of the camp was served.”
Two of our high school girls and five boys were also sponsored by us to attend the camp as registrants. They had a rich experience learning about their swadharma (duties), about mind and its nature, participating in and taking five student vows in the ‘vidyaarthi yajna’ led by Swamiji at RIMSE, and learned the life stories of freedom fighters, among other activities. Additionally, they had the opportunity to learn and practice public speaking skills and participated in various cultural activities.
