The annual CHYK camps conducted by Swami Swaroopanadaji are always a delight and one which us youth eagerly anticipate year after year. 2007 was no exception as we delved into ourselves to discover what it took to become a leader. The topic was “Win the Mind Win the World” and from the 7th to the 9th of December, the Candlebark Farm in Healesville was host to 80 CHYKs from Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Canberra.

Referring to the Vibhishana Gita text, Swamiji expounded upon the symbolism of the chariot and how each part of the chariot, from the reins of the horses pulling the chariot to the charioteer guiding the chariot, personified a quality of a leader. While Swamiji’s wisdom and wit made such concepts easy to grasp, we were further able to reinforce what we had learnt by participating in the various activities organised by the Melbourne CHYKs. From rock-climbing to building chariots, we were encouraged to step out of our comfort zones and challenge our boundaries. Lastly, no camp is complete without the usual group skits and this camp saw us weaving elaborate story-lines centering on core values and involving a whole barrage of characters which left us in fits of laughter.

As camp drew to an end, many of us were pensive as we participated in a heartfelt closing ceremony. While we felt replete with knowledge and ready to “take on the world”, leaving camp and all the people we had met after two immensely enjoyable days was not easy. While many of us had met as strangers, we departed as friends. I am sure I speak for all of us when I say the ‘Win the Mind, Win the World’ camp was a tremendous success!

More photos from this event can be browsed by clicking here.