Report By: Sudarshan Atmavilas

From July 21st to 25th, 2025, at Chinmaya Somnath in Chantilly, VA, 34 high schoolers from across the United States gathered for the Annual DC Youth Camp and were engaged in numerous activities, ranging from discourses to dodgeball, from 9 AM to 5 PM. The camp’s theme was “Movies, Meaning, and Me”, focusing on finding meaning in movies, and using that to personally reflect on one’s life and self-development — as conceptualized and conducted by Shri Vivekji. Vivekji, Shankarji, and young adults facilitated daily workshops with the campers, reflecting on movies such as Inception, Batman Begins, and Kung Fu Panda, on topics such as faith and embracing discomfort. Campers were also challenged to get out of their comfort zone, such as through eating with their hands and engaging in seva around the Ashram.

CHYKs led athletics everyday to help campers push their mental limits and build inner stamina. On July 23rd, the campers went to JK Community Farm, which donates all of its harvest to local homeless shelters and food banks, and served for 3 hours to help remove plastic pesticide sheets and harvest bell peppers. Afterwards, they went to a large field and played soccer and ultimate frisbee for several more hours. On July 25th, Swami Prakashanandaji graced the camp with an hour of satsang, sharing on the moral responsibility the next generation has towards its country. Overall, the feedback from the campers was very positive, with a tangible atmosphere of enthusiasm and community.