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Family Summer Camp in Greece in 2024
Published: 14 September 2024 | Written by Sofia Foteina
The second year of the Ahymsin Family Summer Camp is already completed with great joy of all of us. This time we can call it a European gathering, as most of the participants were from Hungary, the Netherlands, Italy, and Greece. It was really a beautiful meeting of people of different ages, from one year old to almost 80 years old. The central theme we worked on was “We are all one, nobody is alone”, as is stated by our Gurus, and in many ways united by our dreams and our purpose in life. To evolve not only respecting our material part but evolving in the spiritual realm.
The participant family members said it all. Nothing to add. In the following lines, I tried to mention everything at least once, except our appreciation of the wonderful nature that is really a gift from God and from the scouts that take care of the place. Here is what was shared with us by the participants
- The teachers were like mothers who took good care of us during the classes. Their presence was like a balsam in the heart. Great location.
- I liked karma yoga, planting included. I enjoyed that time with all the children and the parents.
- I like one hour a day meditation, videos of Swami Rama and/or Swami Veda. This retreat was great. Thank you all.
- Everything was wonderful, unique. We learned a lot, we felt even more, and I wish everything becomes part of our life. I wish from my heart that this collective present continues to be given to us.
- Thank you for inviting us to this beautiful camp, in this wonderful nature. I could get closer to myself, and I could learn a lot about slowing down. Bless you!
- Thank you for helping me in deeper understanding Ahymsa. Blessed we are to be here.
- What did I like most? The people. What did I like less? I tried to think of something for recommendation for next year, but nothing came to my mind.
- What did I enjoy? Yoga classes, lovely teachers, food, good location and good price, kirtan. What to improve? Beach time, not 11.00-13.00 when the UV rays and temperature is the highest. More attention to special diets. More time at the beach on the trip day.
- It was nice to have the plan of the day written on the board. It was nice being so close to the sea, I loved the day trip to the temple of Artemis and museum and being informed about the site in advance. Meeting the people here, everyone was very kind.
- Dear all of you, dear each of you being all-one. Thank you for all the blessed energy!
- Two important activities I liked: we played the “Treasure Hunt” and “Shadow Theatre”, the first showed us how many common things we have among and around us, and the second how much we are one and connected with nature. They both pointed out the interconnection with all beings.
- Some children said : I liked the sea, the program but most of all, the people….. It was a community of people. I like cultivated earth and cultivated people. ……It has been very fun, beautiful. I liked it because in one day we did many different things like yoga, beach, play, rest, karma yoga. I enjoyed the museum. I felt fine with everyone because everyone was kind.
A few good tips were given to us in terms of improving some organizational aspects, which will help us to improve our service next year. We will have more meditation every day and more short videos by Swami Rama and Swami Veda and discussion, as we this time saw a part of the life of Mahatma Gandhi, after the outing day.
We express our gratitude to our Gurus and teachers that guided and protected us.
Thank you to all wonderful participants from Europe and different parts of Greece!
Thank you to the Scouts who offered this exceptional piece of land near Athens, that is imbibed with beautiful energy, and Scout Mr. Stathis who fed us with tasteful Greek specialties.
Thank you Christos Voinas Foteinas and Panayotis Foteinas Voinas for the photos and video.
Thank you to all teachers, who travelled from their countries to offer their services to the Himalayan Tradition: Carmen Lai (Italy and the Nederlands) and Louise Molenkamp (The Nederlands), Timi Varga (Hungary), Tamara Soru, Laura Linzi and Marilou Pistrito (Italy), Sofia (Greece).
A big thank you to the organizing team, who offered their services during the whole year to prepare the Family Summer Camp in a way that all ages were nourished in many different aspects, felt happy and were filled with love: Tamara Soru (Mozambique and Italy), Timi Varga (Hungary), Athina Papadopoulou, Anna Zaharopoulou, Irene Laskaratou, Sofia Foteina (Greece).
From the organizing team
By Sofia