Zen Summer Camp! - newsletter article

Feature Article: Shao Shan Temple's "Zen Summer Camp"

By Noah Weinstein

This August a new program sprouted up at Shao Shan Temple. The program was originally conceived of as a  "Family-Friendly Practice Period."  Then the formal name became "Summer Practice Days (Family-Friendly)." But once it actually began it quickly took on the name "Zen Summer Camp." The Temple has offered a variety of family-friendly programs before, including the monthly Family Program and various annual celebrations, but this program was unique in providing an extended opportunity for children, caregivers, and adult sangha members to practice together over a period of three half-days. 

Each day of Zen Summer Camp began with a period of time for participants of all ages to gather in the zendo, where we shared our names and something interesting we've been noticing in nature. Rev. Kenzan then led the group in a brief meditation, often incorporating the ringing of the big bell. The children and Children's Program coordinators then left the zendo to participate in a variety of mindfulness and nature-based activities, while the adults remained in the zendo for meditation and discussions of various themes focused around practice in daily life. We then gathered back together as an entire community for the last portion of the program for more fun and learning. 

Throughout the Children's Program we returned to the themes of being present and taking care with each of the activities we did. The children spent much of Thursday morning exploring the woods and wetlands around the temple. We harvested mint from Laughing Brook (the stream between the temple and the Main House) to make mint iced tea for the whole community. We then entered the woods near Connie's Pond, where we made shelters of various sizes ranging from "mouse houses" to ones that might suit a fox, bear, or human. We snacked together with the adults, and then all proceeded back to Connie's Pond for a food offering walk. 

Finally, we all played "Meet a Tree," in which one partner was blindfolded while the other took care of that person, while leading them to a tree for them to get to know and eventually try to find once removing their blindfold.

Friday's Children's Program centered around art and science. Susan Calza offered a face-painting workshop with the children, exploring how we sometimes feel like we know who we are, and sometimes not so much. We also made nature journals, experimented with drawing with fresh, colorful flowers, and making leaf rubbings. After a snack the adults joined us to make glitter jars which can be used to represent the mind in its various states of swirling and settling. They also made little tornadoes inside when shaken, which was pretty cool. 

For Saturday's program the children's group traveled to the temple vegetable garden, where we harvested carrots and green beans to contribute to the community potluck lunch, as well as basil and Swiss chard to give away to program participants. In the garden we again reflected on the themes of taking care and being present, entering the garden gates with wonder and enthusiasm, as Rev. Taihaku so often reminded us all.

What participants said about the program....

The kids and I greatly enjoyed our morning at the temple. The kids had fun while the grownups meditated, received wisdom, and shared ideas. The best part was the "blindfolded find the tree game" for grownups and kids. Arlo really enjoyed trying to stump Rev. Kenzan!  Thanks to Rev. Kenzan, Noah and all.
-- Joe Golden

I found that it was especially useful for the young mothers and the older women who were sharing together. Both ages have specific stresses at these crucial and dynamic times in their lives. They were at very different stages in life and had much to offer each other in terms of support. The sharing was beautiful. Stella was wonderfully warm and tactful (as always). That put everyone at ease.                      -- Susan Calza

My favorite part was doing the leaf rubbings and making the glitter jar tornadoes.
 -- Izzy Weinstein, 5-years-old

I enjoyed the game that Noah taught us which was a variation on the familiar “rock, paper, scissors” game.  People started out as a seed and then became a sprout, flower, fruit, and then a seed again. To go from one to the other, you had to find another person who was in the same stage as you and do rock, paper, scissors with them. Whoever won that would move on to the next stage of seed, sprout, flower, fruit, seed. Then you would look for someone else in that same stage and repeat the game. It provided an opportunity to interact, briefly, with a lot of different people.
-- Priscilla Fox

My 5-year-old daughter and I attended the Summer Practice for all three days. We traveled from Virginia and the camp was totally worth it. Zen Camp was an amazing experience. Having a family practice gave a chance for all ages to be together in the temple at first, and then the kids going outdoors in the "Nature Club" proved to be a good structure. Our 5-year-old said, "I had a great time. I wish the Shao Shan Camp was everyday and didn't end!!" As an adult I benefited from the meditation practice and Dharma talk/discussion. I looked forward to Rev. Kenzan's guided meditation. Noah's group activities were fun and will stay with us even when we go back home. The kids loved visiting the garden and playing around in the woods. The potluck on the last day had delicious food. I'm grateful to all the hands that made the Zen Camp possible. Here is to hoping there will be many more.
-- Monika Gadre

 I found the guided meditation to be a great tune-up and the discussion on bringing your practice to work very interesting. The potluck was a nice opportunity to meet with people who were new to me in the sense of folks that have been practicing at the temple but I had only seen on Zoom. The informal atmosphere of the program and having kids involved was very sweet. I enjoyed hearing the yells and screams of the kids running outside while we meditated. It brought back many happy memories of the sounds of summer in my neighborhood when I was growing up. It was a nostalgic day in the most peaceful way.  As I would say as a kid, "Camp was swell!"
 -- Max Schlueter