Vivekananda Family Camp has been successfully running youth and family camps for the past 47 years. This year was no exception. The Camp was held from Sunday August 16 to Saturday Aug 22, 2026, in the shadow of the Monadnock Mountains, on the serene shores of Thorndike Pond, in Dublin, NH.

The Camp Committee consisted of past campers, senior volunteers and young adults who had grown up within the camp as campers and now volunteered their time throughout the year to plan for next year's camp.

The day started with Yoga. Campers were divided into groups by age, and volunteers led the yoga and meditation sessions. Adults had their own Yoga classes. Nobody skipped any of the sessions.

The theme of the camp this year was Hindu Dharma by the numbers. This was a difficult topic to tackle, since it encompassed all the concepts of Hindu Dharma, starting with Shunya (zero), to Nava (nine). Topics ranged from Infinity, Brahman, the Ultimate Reality, the concept of Dwi (two), Purush and Prakriti, Atman and Paramatman, Trimurti, the Hindu Triad, the four Purusharthas and Ashrams, Panch Mahabhutas, the six friends and enemies (Shad Bandhu/Ripu), Sapta Rishis, Ashtanga Yoga, and on to Navgrahas. All these difficult concepts were conveyed to the campers, who ranged in age from 4 to 18 years, by the expert teachers, who themselves came as volunteers. Almost all the teachers were second and third generation American Hindus, many of whom were past campers themselves.

Discussion classes attempted topics like Materialism, Hindu Identity, Keeping your word, how to balance personal and community needs, and many other similar topics. There were guest speakers who talked about Jyotish Shastra, Ayurveda, Dincharya, what one's daily schedule should be like according to Ayurveda, and similar topics.

It was not all education. Campers enjoyed the Arts and Craft Projects. They made 3D greeting cards, made a working sundial and learned how to tell time by looking at the sun, made T-Shirts with the Saptarishi Mandal, made a model of the Navgrahas, what they were, the names, directions, grains associated with them, and many other facts.

In the afternoon, there was the waterfront, where campers and adults could go swimming, boating, kayaking and canoeing, splash around in the water slides, and generally have fun. This was followed by snacks and Indian games like kabaddi, rumal chor, Ram Ravan, Gaja Sparsh, and many other games. Adults enjoyed playing pitthu (AKA lagori), many said they went back in time more than 25 years ago to their own childhood.

In the evening there was the energetic Aarti, and a cultural program in which the campers got to show off their talents. Each group put up a skit based on what they had learned throughout the week, which was written by the campers themselves.   

At the end of the day, loud discussions continued long after lights out. Campers loved singing the Camp Song loudly in their cabins, not caring that they may be disturbing other campers who may have been trying to sleep. There were lots of bedtime stories by the adult cabin counselors, and a lot of giggling was heard from the girls' cabins.   

Needless to say, the food was the highlight of the camp. Lovingly prepared by the "Kitchen Aunties", there were five meals during the course of the day. Starting with breakfast, nobody was late to even one meal, for fear of missing even one item. But they had nothing to fear, because the food was plentiful and delicious. There were both Indian and Western cuisines, gluten-free and even Jain food, to suit every taste and allergy. The day ended with milk and cookies, which was the favorite of all campers and volunteers alike.

The Security team did an awesome job. They woke up the whole camp every morning at 6:30 by going to each cabin. Every camper was accounted for during all classes and at night.

During Garba night on Friday, campers were seen crying that the camp was ending. Everyone vowed to attend next year's camp. Many had made new friends and were seen busily exchanging phone numbers and promising to remain in contact throughout the year.

For more information on the camp and to view all pictures from this year's camp, please visit the camp website, www.vhpafamilycamp.com