Chinmaya Mission Australia (Sydney) Brisbane Balavihar Centre held their second balavihar camp with their Br Gopal Chaitanya from 6th to 8th of July 2010.

Theme of this year’s camp was RAMA RULES! It was a three day camp including an excursion! We had many Sevaks and Volunteers helping all the way to make this camp a big success! There was about 50 kids who formed teams named Angad, Bharatha, Hanuman, Lakshmana and Sugriva.

On the first day, we started learning a bhajan of Lord Rama from Gopalji with hand actions etc. Gopalji taught us the Rama Shloka with its meaning. Gopalji also narrated the first part of the Ramayana in his delightful manner with expressions as though he was seeing the events unfolding. We understood that Lord Ramachandra means to delight like the moon, Bharatha means light and intelligent, Shatrughna means no enemies and Lakshmana means wealthy (good) mind. The highlight of the day was making a Bow and Arrow of Lord Rama and remembering the stories of Lord Rama. With a bow and arrow we had to aim at a drawing of Ravana done by Br Gopalji and try to earn points by hitting certain places. We had many rounds of this game. Some succeeded greatly by hitting Ravana’s belly button, which is his only vulnerable part of the body. Sevaks even had a round of this game! We also had role play practice and all the kids were enjoying it very much!

The second day was the excursion to the Mt. Cootha Botanical Gardens and Planetarium. We sat in a beautiful Japanese Garden and listened to Gopalji who told us more stories of Lord Rama living in panchavaty with Sitaji in the beautiful gardens with rivers flowing nearby. It felt as though we were there seeing what Lord Rama and sitaji were seeing.

All the kids enjoyed the Planetarium show in the afternoon, as many of the kids have not been to a Planetarium before. The show entitled “secret of the cardboard rocket” was spectacular! We were able to see the planets closeby. This again reminded us kids about the story Gopalji told us how Lord Rama as a little boy wanted the moon to be next to him and if his parents couldn't get it to him, he would not eat, hence Mother Kaikeyi brought a mirror and brought the moon close to Rama. So Gopalji and Sevaks helped us to see the planets closely. After the show, we had a very action filled ‘amazing race’. We were handed a clue relating to the Ramayana. On the map we had to find the place and reach there before we got the next clue. All teams successfully completed this task! This was organised by Gopalji and Simran didi.

The last day started with yoga and we learnt that if we do Yoga everyday we can actually grow taller! Also Yoga was a physical training for us to face Ravana in Battle. We had our last role play practice before the show. Then we had a quiz, everybody revised quickly and was ready to begin. We had many rounds and all teams earned points towards their total score. After the quiz it was show time! Every team got on the stage and performed in front of the parents. But what we did not know was that there were two mystery judges among the crowd. They gave their points and it was a nail biting wait before we found out our winner.

It was team Angad! All the other teams still did very well!

We learnt the following ways to conduct ourselves in life in the camp:
1. Think before you act.
2. Don't lie or cheat (or later you will be cheated)
3. Don't assume, always confirm.
4. Always serve your friends.
5. Be kind and responsible
6. Share with others
7. Always sacrifice
8. Never giveup
9. when we take Lord's name with love, Lord's power comes to us from within.
10. Never go infront of mum and dad thinking we are big. Go with love.
11. Never forget your goal.
12. Always give with love
13. Give before you take.
14. Introduce yourself first before asking others who they are
15. Don't say "I know, I know". You can learn from others also.
16. Ask before you take (Don't snatch).
17. Nurture your talents (use what you have wisely).
18. Be Patient
19. Do good things now, bad postpone for tommorow.
20. Don't under-estimate others.
21. Happiness is not outside, it is within us.
22. Don't be angry or selfish
23. give others a second chance.
24. Always be disciplined (eg. even as small as keeping your shoes straight).
25. Don't speak while others are speaking. Listen.
26. Respect your Guru (don't turn your back on Guru/God).
27. Don't speak when you don't know. Learn from others.
28. Always have fun while learning to the right thing.
29. Listen to what your Guru says as they know the best for you.
30. If not sure about anything talk to your elders and talk to your Guru.
31. If you promise you have to keep the promise by fulfilling it.
32. Learn to be calm, cheerful and face life situations just like Lord Rama.

Thus, at the end of the “Rama Rules” camp, all of the kids became Lord Ramas and no one became Ravana! This was the best camp we have had and now it is over but the kids have already started the count down for the next balavihar camp with Br Gopalji.