Each year the youth eagerly wait for the Chyk camp and this year was no different. The camp was titled “BORN IDENTITY, Find the missing you…” Arriving at our head quarters, Camp Adair, on the night of 08.08.08 we started our mission. To find out whom we really are.

The organization that went into this camp was amazing. The Chyks had as much fun planning as they did at the camp. This was different to any other camp that we had organized. Our expectations were high. We had our end result in mind and with Gurudev in our hearts, we achieved what we thought was impossible. We managed to get 57 youth together and entertain, stun and amaze them all.

For me personally, this camp has left a huge mark in my heart. I learnt things that I would never have learnt otherwise. It bought out feelings I never knew I had. Under the guidance of Pujya Gurudev, the talks that Adarshji and Darren gave were powerful and inspiring. They taught us that we are all a product of our past experiences. We learnt how to discover our talents and how to use them to benefit not only ourselves but for the betterment of others. We realized that when it comes to something we love, we somehow manage to find the energy. Something that was evident when it came to the week before camp! The skills I have taken away from this camp are priceless. They are things I can use in my everyday life to help me become a better person.

I feel it is so important to keep having these camps. Not only does it teach the youth how to co-operate and organize such events, it gives a chance for us to be around like minded individuals that share the same values and ideas. In today’s world it is hard for youth not to circum to the negative influences of society. These events show that you don’t have to be someone that you’re not in order to fit in. It provides us with the help and guidance that we need.

As Chyks, we don’t think of Chinmaya Mission as an organization. To us it’s our family. You too can be part of this family. With Pujya Gurudevs blessing, great things can happen.