Kid's Camp at the Seva Ashram

June, 25, 2010

Photos courtesy of Jivana Didi, Jahnavi Devi & Swarnagii's cameras ::: Click on the pictures for larger view (you must have javascript enabled)
Captions by Krishnapriya Didi

This year our annual Kids Camp was organized for the second year in a row by Dhanista Devi Dasi and Madhumati Devi Dasi. It had many wonderful activities and all the community came together to cook the wonderful meals and make all the wonderful activities happen. It brought much joy to everyones heart, reminding them how Srila Gurudev considered the children the future of our mission.

Prabhus Brajeswara, Rasa Raj and Premananda set-up the tents for the three day campout behind the Seva Ashram.

Dhanistha Devi Dasi gives a class on how to play the mrdanga.

Kumari Shyama Mohini is a natural and learns the beats quickly.

Bindu Madhava Prabhu and Kumari Shivani practice the te re beats.

Ramai Prabhu leads the Bhoga Arotik song.

Everyone joins in singing Sri Bhogarati-Giti
bhaja bhakata vatsala sri gaurahari…

Kumari Shivani

All stand to join in the kirtan for Their Lordships arotik.

Sureshwari Didi and her granddaughters, Sage and Bali with their cousin Zoie.

Ramai Prabhu talks about Their Lordships beautiful outfit.

Kalindi Didi and Vrinda Didi prepared many nice offerings for the satisfaction of the Lord and His devotees.

MVC (most valuable cook) Sureshwari Didi happily serves out the Seva Ashrams famous veggie burgers.

Vrinda Didi and Sureshwari’s grandson, Preston, are eager to serve the devotees.

Everyone honors Prasadam while Kalindi Didi explains the importance and glories of the Lord’s mercy.

Madhu Mati Didi gives a hand puppet making class depicting the various pastimes of the Lord and His associates.

Garland making class

Bindu Madhava Prabhu offers his garland to Srila Gurudev’s picture.

Krsna Priya Didi gives a class on the glories of Srimati Tulasi Devi.

Everyone circumambulates Tulasi Devi while singing Sri Tulasi- Parikrama- Giti

Gopala Bhata Prabhu watering Srimati Tulasi Devi.

Krsna Priya Didi talks about the importance of our spiritual creeper and The Bhakti Lata Bija.

The seed of devotion is planted by Sri Gurudev and must be nurtured with chanting and service to grow into full love of the Lord.

All the children planted bean seeds to take home with them to grow and then offer the beans to the Lord.

Tent city

Srimati Sanatani Didi and her grandson Madhav.

Gopala and Preston play mrdanga for Their Lordships.

Diksavati Didi gives a magic show with Bindu Madhava Prabhu as her assistant.

Play time under the walnut tree behind the temple.

Devaki Devi Dasi and Dhanistha Didi the Kids Camp coordinator

Swinging on the walnut tree

Premananda Prabhu and Bindu Madhava Prabhu

Jaya Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharvika Giridhari !

Devaki Devi Dasi taking notes.

Jahnavi Didi applies henna to her niece Shivani

Sanatani Didi gave a class on making and decorating cookies.

Everyone is eager to try out the finished product.

Kumari Shivani happily eats the cookie she made. Yum!

Best friends Devaki, Krsna Priya and Jahnavi Devi Dasis

Sureshwari Didi and Bali

Everyone takes part in the mock yogurt fight from Krishna Book.

Shaving cream is used instead of yogurt.

No one within range is safe.

Dhanistha Didi gets splashed with shaving cream… while Rasaraj Prabhu manages to escape.

Some of the kids draw while waiting for the next class.

Sripad Janardan Maharaj leads kirtan before beginning his class.

More of Sureshwari’s family: Preston, Misha, Bali and baby Devin.

Sripad Janardan Maharaj talked about how Srila Gurudev would often say that he would like to play with the children on the Ashram’s hills and trees and the Puspa Samadhi.

Preston listen to Maharaj’s attentively.

Krishna Priya Didi with her grandaughter Shivani.

Jahnavi Devi Dasi holding Devin.

Sripad Janardan Maharaj continues his class by telling stories of Krsna and the many demons He killed.

Jivana Didi and Sanatani Didi lead a walk around the Seva Ashram property while describing Srila Gurudev’s pastimes here.

Sanatani Didi tells many stories about Srila Gurudev while everyone hikes up the hill.

Everyone fondly remembers the many visits Srila Gurudev made to the Soquel Seva Ashram.

Hiking up "Via Govinda" the road made by Hasyapriya Prabhu and many, many devotees for Srila Gurudev’s satisfaction.

and up, up,

up, and up some more.

Stopping to play on the rope swing under the eucalyptus grove.

Premanada Prabhu gets some height!

Preston and Sanatani Didi check it out.

Preston decides to give it a try and it turns out to be his favorite part of the whole camp weekend.

Devaki lends a hand.

Anjali Devi Dasi takes a turn.

Continuing on to the top of Gupta Govardhana.

On a clear day the Monterey Bay can be seen from the top of the hill.

Enjoying the magnificient view.

Our neighbors property.

The Ashram.

Sripad Parvat Maharaj enthusiastically reads Krishna stories to the children.

Premananda Prabhu in rapt attention.

Everyone listens to Lord Krishna’s wonderful pastimes.

Sripad Janardan Maharaj gives Chaitanya Charitamrita class every morning. This morning he told the story of the Jarikhanda forest.

Some of the children colored,

and everyone listened happily and attentively to the glories of Sriman Mahaprabhu and His associates.

Vrinda Devi Dasi told the story of Krishna lifting Govardhan hill.

Kalindi Didi making vases for Their Lordships.

Para Devi brought her badge making machine.

Vaidehi Devi Dasi, Kalindi’s daughter, designed many badges.

This was an exciting and creative project.

Love

Flowers

Lots of fun.

Time to honor Prasadam.

Tasty Mexican food prepared by Dhanistha and Rajani Didis.

Murali Mohan Prabhu pitching in with the cleaning.

Jahnava Devi Dasi .

Pizza making for snack time!

Sureshwari Didi arranged for afternoon snacks everyday.

Everyone made their own pizza with the topping of their choice.

A special olive and cheese was made and Janardan Maharaj performed the taste test.

Yum!

Dhanistha Devi Dasi and Rajani Devi Dasi.

Dyuti Sundari Devi Dasi .

All Glories to our beautiful Srila Gurudev and Sri Guru Varga!

All Glories to the assembled devotees!
Kids Camp 2010 Ki Jaya!