Experience sharing

Reflection of Family Chan Camp 2023

This year's Family Chan Camp was one of the best years that I have attended. It was obvious from Day 1 that the kids got along really well. We played icebreaker games on the first day to learn each other's names. The next day we had a field trip to the Bear Hill Preserve and hiked to a very scenic cliff (the kids weren't allowed to be too close to the edge). There were snacks and the kids took many pictures. During the day, the kids were able to meet some Fashi (monks) and attend classes like "What is Happiness?" In addition to the Fashi talks and the classes, there are special events every day. 

On Day 2, there was the hike in the morning and stargazing at night. I especially liked stargazing because resting outside is quiet and peaceful. On Day 3 we had "Photo Mind," where the kids took a class with a professional photographer and learned how to take better pictures. There was also time for them to practice and share the pictures they took with the entire group. That night we also watched a movie (Paddington 2). During the fourth day, we went on another hike, this time around the lake next to the retreat. In the afternoon, we set up the slip-n-slide, and used soap to make it a smoother ride. After everyone showered, the talent show started which showcased various performances that each kids, teens, and adults group had prepared during the camp, as well as individual performances. That night we celebrated the end of camp with a bonfire and made s'mores. On Sunday, the officially last day of camp, everyone attended the closing ceremony in which we played a slideshow that the counselors made out of pictures that were taken during the camp. Each kid and teens camper also got a personalized certificate, like "Most Inquisitive" and "Funniest."

This year was my first time being a counselor. I've come to the camp since I was 6, which means that I've attended for around 7 years now. My experience being a counselor was very different from what I expected beforehand. I really liked seeing how everything was run, from being able to help set up various activities to the counselor training before the actual camp starts. The children were sometimes hard to manage and constantly having to remind them to not be too loud and focus on the activity was tiring, but it was obvious that over the course of the camp, the message started sinking in and most of them behaved better. One of the best parts of being a counselor is that it's not all about the kids in your group; there is free time for the counselors to hang out together. At the end of the day, although there's a lot of extra work involved with being a counselor, it's very rewarding to see the kids have fun at camp.


Written by Ethan Chan (詹寬盛) 
Photo: Chan Meditation Center (東初禪寺)