Summer Camp information and some relevant information for weekends.

This Summer Camp this year will again be an opportunity for families to explore ways of living and passing on the Buddhas teachings. You don't have to be or become a Buddhist or take on any beliefs to come on the camp, but we ask you to enter into the spirit of the Camp and join in the activities that have been organised. As ever it will be a unique event emerging out of the love and creativity of everyone on the camp. It can be hard work!

Amaravati Buddhist Monastery is situated in the Hertfordshire countryside near the towns of Hemel Hempstead (about 4 miles away) and Berkhamstead (about 3 miles away). The monastery is set in 22 acres of grounds, surrounded by countryside, at the end of a quiet lane. It is primarily a monastic community providing a calm place for the practice of the way of the Buddha, and teachings for lay people.

The Camp is held in the Retreat Centre on the edge of the Monastery. It is an opportunity for adults, young people and children to live together in the peaceful atmosphere of a Buddhist monastery for a week. It will be conducted in the same spirit (and to a certain extent, form) as the rest of Amaravati; that is taking care of ourselves and others (the essences of the Five Precepts which we undertake to keep for the duration of the camps), learning, sharing, offering, and living mindfully. We don't expect children to be any way other than how they naturally are though! The freedom and friendships that the Camp offers will make it very hard for them to leave.

Housework: In order to help the camp run smoothly, everyone old enough will be included in rotas for cleaning and washing-up. These activities are organised by the Housekeepers, Cooks and Shoppers, who are members of the camp who have been a few times (or many times!) before. You will have a daily cleaning job for about 1/2 of an hour, and there is a scheduled time each day to do your job. Even parents of younger children are expected to participate, but if this presents a particular difficulty you can contact the Housekeeper for help. Also everyone over 7 years old helps to wash up 3 or 4 times during the camp (personally I have found this a very good opportunity for group working meditation practice!!).

Time table: Days start at 7am (earlier if you choose to do yoga etc.) and follow a relaxed routine of Dhamma teachings, pujas (morning and evening chanting and offerings) and meditation, art, crafts, play, free time, and group meetings. These activities will be for all ages. Half of one day is usually set aside for a country walk with the Sangha, and near the end of the week there is a performance/show of work by the different groups.

People are expected to come to the Pujas, as this gives the camps a harmonious community spirit. After evening puja, weather permitting, there will be a camp fire. Parents are requested to make sure that all children under 10 years old go to bed by 10pm, 13 years and under by 11pm. Between 11pm and 7am is quiet time (though these times are reviewed each year with the children's agreement!).

Timetable

Morning
7.15 - 8.30 Breakfast
8.30- 9.25 Work Period
9 .30 - 10.00 Puja and meditation for all
10.00 - 10.15 Announcements
10.20 - 11 Dhamma doodles for children, meditation for adults
10.30 - 11.00 Meal offering to the Sangha (pindapat), and break for drink
11.00 - 12.30 Work period for everyone
12.30 -1.30 Lunch and clear up

1.30-2.30 Rest time
2.30 - 3.15 Activities and workshops

3.30 - 4.00 Break for drink and biscuits
4.00 - 5.00 Activities or free time
5.30 - 6.30 Supper
7.30 - 8.30 Puja for all
9.00 Informal gathering and hot drink, possible camp fire.

Theme: Each year we focus many of the activities on one particular aspect of the Buddhist teachings. This year the theme of the camp will be

Activities: The Sangha encourage us to try not to be too busy on the camp, and ensure everyone has an opportunity for free time and meditation. Last year the extra activities included: singing and music, football, story telling, grafitti, yoga, cricket, pottery, a board game session, children cooking for the monks and nuns (Pindapat), wood collecting for the evening fire, hair weaving and cuts, etc. As in previous years, we would appreciate help from parents who may like to run a workshop, craft activity, games, outdoor activity or something along these lines. In order to start a timetable it helps to know beforehand (Please fill in the Activities sheet if you can). A more detailed version of the camp timetable will be available at the camp. Many good activities also happen as a last minute inspiration!

Eating: Communal vegetarian meals will be offered three times a day, with a simpler meal served at supper time. Drinks and biscuits will also be provided at set additional times of the day, though snacks (eg. bread and fruit) are often available if needed. The cooks aim to provide food that children and adults will enjoy. If special dietary requirements are needed please mention this on the booking form.

Accommodation: There are some rooms available in the Retreat Centre, and the rooms are usually allocated to families with children under eight. To accommodate as many people as we can, we turn a 2 bed room into a 4 bed room by using mattresses on the floor. (which doesn't leave much space). Otherwise, most of the indoor accommodation is in single-sex dormitories, though these are usually the domain of the children. The Retreat Centre has two showers and a bath, one set for men, one set for women. There is, however, always plenty of space in the adjacent campsite, and if at all possible it is very helpful for families to bring their own tents and camp. All the indoor amenities are there for campers to use, and the campsite can be much more peaceful than sleeping indoors! There are two toilets next to the campsite, which the nuns kindly let us use.

Cost: All our costs of food, hot water and the Retreat Centre rent are met by the generous donations of previous camp participants. We try to keep the basic cost of the camp to a minimum. The monks and nuns, the Camp organisers, and those providing meals, workshops and activities do so voluntarily. You may wish to make a donation at the end of the camp towards the upkeep of the Sangha (monks and nuns) and the monastery. The whole of the Monastery is run on donations. We invite everyone to make a donation towards the family camp either before of during the camps according to their means. Cheques should be made out to The English Sangha Trust, which is the charitable body which handles all the donations, can apply for Gift-Aid, so please fill in a Gift Aid form (also downloadable).

Bookings: It is likely that this years Camp will be oversubscribed. Once the quota of 95 parents and children is reached a waiting list will be started. Bookings can only be accepted from those who wish to stay for the whole period. Please ask one of the coordinators if you wish to invite a day visitor.

We look forward to meeting you! These notes have mostly been developed by the previous many volunteers that have handled admissions to the camps.

The summer camp is restricted to those that have been to one of the other events before

Click below to download forms

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