A Bal Sanskar Shivir (Summer Camp) was conducted at Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Chandigarh, from 1st June to 21st June, 2026.
A total of 60 students from in and around Chandigarh registered for the shivir, comprising 35 girls and 25 boys. Around 50 devotees and volunteers assisted in conducting the classes. All children were provided with kits containing a folder, stationery items, a festival calendar, a memory book (daily diary), and the “Surpath” bhajan book.
Highlights of the Bal Sanskar Shivir
- Prarthana and Meditation in the temple
- Yogasanas — conducted in separate groups for girls and boys
- Moral stories — on the life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda, Maa Sarada Devi, Sri Ramakrishna, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, Guru Nanak Dev ji, Guru Gobind Singh ji, Bhagavan Buddha, Sri Shankaracharya, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, festivals, and Bharatiya Teerthas
- Arts and crafts — pottery, paper art, origami, sketching and drawing, bookmark, greeting card and envelope making, among others
- Pranam Mantras, Veda Mantras, stotras, and bhajans
- Sunday Ashrama Seva — cleaning the temple and classrooms, watering plants, along with short educational videos on topics such as fire safety, and group games for team-building
- Life Skills — a newly introduced curriculum module, “The Sapta-kaushal”, designed to develop essential life skills such as focus, self-awareness, communication, reading and writing, critical thinking, time management, and leadership through games, quizzes, discussions, and collaborative activities, in alignment with the vision of NEP 2020 and NCF. A workshop was also conducted on improving observation power and learning science through nature
- A small-scale children’s library was arranged to inculcate the habit of reading
- Children were given daily tasks related to good habits, recorded in their diaries and practised at home
- Daily breakfast prasad, along with fruits and healthy drinks, was served to all students
Concluding Ceremony
The concluding ceremony of the Bal Sanskar Shivir was held on Sunday, 21st June, 2026, with active participation by students through compering, Vedic chanting, an opening song, and a short play titled “Our Ideals — Thakur, Maa & Swamiji.”
- A yogasana performance was presented by the students on the occasion of International Yoga Day.
- RKM children’s literature books were awarded for best performances in yogasana, art and craft, storytelling, good attendance, bhajan singing, diary maintenance, and library utilisation under the Pratibha Prakatan Program (competitions).
- An exhibition of art and craft prepared by students and faculty of the BSS was also organised.
- A speech on the Bal Sanskar Shivir was delivered by the Chief Guest, Smt. Aruna Dhiman, Principal, Ankur School, Sector 14, Chandigarh, and the Guest of Honour, Swami Ramarupananda, Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Shimla, with an introductory speech by Swami Bhitiharananda.
- All volunteers were honoured with laminated photographs of Maa Sarada Devi.
- Parents and a volunteer were given the opportunity to share their views on the Shivir.
- A newsletter based on the sessions conducted during the camp was released.
- A short video on the learnings and experiences of the students during the summer camp was screened for all present.
- The ceremony concluded with a closing bhajan sung by the students.
- Participation certificates, laminated photographs of Swami Vivekananda, and flower plants were distributed to all students of the Bal Sanskar Shivir.
- Lunch prasad was distributed to all attendees.
More than 200 people attended the ceremony, including students, volunteers, parents, and devotees associated with the Bal Sanskar Shivir.20 participants, including students, volunteers, parents and devotees.
