SeriousFun, India-style: flying saucers, yoga and jungle leaves
By Tim Bethune, Program Manager, Global Partnership Program
The morning routine at camp is similar, no matter if a camper wakes up in Ireland or India: brush teeth, rinse off face paint residue from the night before, high five a friend, put on a name tag, walk out the door and conquer the day. What happens next is where camp magic translates into over 30 different flavors of programming.
During a typical day at Camp Rainbow, a SeriousFun Global Partnership Program in India, children arrive to breakfast and feast on idli, a rice-based heap of flying saucer deliciousness. Add a side of chili chutney infused with mangoes plucked from the surrounding foliage, and you've got a staple breakfast found in homes across the country.
On most mornings, camp food is served on metal plates two times the size of your face. But on this special jungle-themed day, the metal plates are replaced with emerald green banana tree leaves, a traditional way of serving food often seen at family gatherings, weddings and festivals. Utensils are nowhere to be found. In India, using your bare hands is the routine way to enjoy all the wonderful textures of a hearty meal.
After dancing to a few camp classics like Ice Cream and Cake or Kalasala (an Indian song made famous for its get-up-and-dance inspiring drum beats), campers receive their morning round of medicines. Complete with cheers, more high fives and a medical tip of the day, campers take medicine side-by-side with 10 of their new best friends. What was once just a daily ritual is thus turned into a celebration of bravery and strength. This is the power of camp: these children are now praised for the very thing they were likely stigmatized for back in their village or community.
The rest of the day is filled with imaginary train journeys from Bollywood to the Taj Mahal, treasure hunts that encourage campers work together to save the camp from scheming characters, basket weaving using recycled newspaper, energizing rounds of cricket, and life-skills sessions that give campers the tools to live positively, no matter their circumstance.
As the sun sets, 14-year-old Kumar approaches the leadership team with newfound confidence that wasn't there two days prior. He asks to lead the entire camp in a round of yoga; 70 people, one brave leader. Without hesitation, the request is accommodated, and it takes only a few moments for some basic stretches to turn into a master class in flexibility. Campers effortlessly twist their seemingly elastic limbs, and a new camp tradition is born.
After dinner, the evening program takes place, which always offers something to inspire, motivate and excite everyone. Tonight it is the Cultural Carnival. The Activity Coordinator asks, "Is the mehndi tattoo station ready?" Check! "What about the 'Make-Ghandi-Smile' station?" Check! "Do we have enough plastic beads and popsicle sticks for campers to play the balancing game?" Sure do! The evening is filled with the sounds of local music, lots of laughter, and newfound friendships.
The day closes with Pesu Maname Pesu (a cabin chat activity whose name translates to Speak, oh Heart, Speak in Tamil). Campers are given the opportunity to reflect on the day, the skills they've gained and the funny moments they've experienced.
After the last candle shares its light, campers crawl into bed and dream up what flavors of programming await them tomorrow.
Help us develop more programs like Camp Rainbow around the world by making a donation to SeriousFun on our website.