North America Camp 2023
Scientific Spirituality & Holistic Wellness
A New Horizon for Comprehensive Health
Dear participants, We are delighted to welcome you to the AWGP North America Summer Camp 2023 after a 4-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This cherished event is centered around the inspiring theme of “Scientific Spirituality & Holistic Wellness – A New Horizon for Comprehensive Health.” Our meticulously designed program promotes healthy living, mental well-being, and an enriched lifestyle by unlocking the science behind specific spiritual techniques. This camp caters to the needs of different age groups, offering valuable wisdom for holistic wellness. We hope you have a wonderful time at the camp!
High Level Schedule of the Camp
We are just as excited as you are for the upcoming camp! We can’t wait to have everyone here and give you all a warm welcome. Here is the high-level overview of the camp; a comprehensive plan will be shared when we get there.
The Welcome Day
- Please be informed that the check-in schedule for the UC Merced camp on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, is from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
- Dinner is served from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
- The Orientation and camp Inauguration ceremony will start at 8:00 pm, the event will end at 9:00 pm.
During the Three-Day Camp
- The camp provides an extensive range of activities catering to individuals of all ages.
- Our itinerary includes morning yoga, breakfast, presentation seminars, lunch, afternoon sessions, evening dinner, special events like Garba, Dr. Chinmay Ji’s lecture, and a one-night cultural program.
Trip to SONA (Shantikunj of North America)
- On Saturday, July 29, 2023, we will depart between 6:00 am to 6:30 am to reach there before 8:00 am for the Pran Pratistha.
- 8:30 am to 9:30 am will be Pran-Pratistha of Guru-Mata Ji’s asthi kalash Sthapan; 24 Kundiya havan from 9:30 am to 11:00 am
- We will depart back to UC Merced and have lunch once we are back.
The Wrap-up (Sunday, July 30, 2023)
- Start your morning with yoga, followed by a delicious breakfast. Attend Vidai-Samaroh led by Dr. Chinmay Ji before checking out of your room. Enjoy lunch before departing the camp by noon.
- Drive/shuttle back to Livermore; if you are, shuttling, we can drop you at the hotel if you are staying back for Pran-Pratishtha, or you can get down at GSSC Livermore and find a taxi to go to your Airport.
We’re thrilled to invite you to our upcoming camp! Before we begin this exciting journey, let’s ensure you have all the necessary items. Here’s a checklist of essential things to bring on your camping trip for a memorable and comfortable experience.
Personal items you need to bring
- Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, etc.)
- Yoga Mat/beach towel for daily morning Yoga
- Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Hat as the temperature will be high
- Traditional Indian Dress for Garba Night(7/27)
- Traditional Indian dress for Cultural Night (7/29)
- Comfortable Shoes, Slippers/Floaters
- Any personal medication
- You may bring Dissolvable Electrolytes like LiquidIV
*Please note that clothing for the spiritual camp should be modest and appropriate.
Things we will provide:
- Camp Booklet: Curriculum and Schedule.
- Camp T-Shirt.
- Reusable Alluminum Water Bottle.
- Pen and Notebook
- Reusable Carry-Bag for Pen, Notebook
- Beds (comes with Linens and Towels)
- First Aid Kit
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Transportation: Back and forth between GSSC and UC Merced, as well as between SONA and UC Merced, for people not traveling by personal vehicle and signed up for transportation help.
Form Link (Due date: Jul-14-2023)
Transportation between GSSC Livermore-UC Merced and UC Merced-SONA is provided
- We have rented buses to help transporting people to UC Merced Camp location.
- It will be about 2+ hrs ride.
- We will also be transporting back on last day(July 30th) of the camp.
- We will also use same transportation for visiting SONA location in Yosemite on July 29th.
Travel Related
Please note that assistance is only available for those who have filled out the form before the deadline of July 14th, 2023, and are traveling from outside of California.
- Please remember that check-in for the UC Merced camp on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, is from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. It’s best to arrive at GSSC Livermore well before 3:00 pm.
- If you’re coming from outside California, the closest airports are San Jose (SJC) and Oakland (OAK), with additional options being San Francisco (SFO) and Sacramento (SMF). Travel times from each airport to GSSC Livermore are approximately 45 minutes from SJC, 40 minutes from OAK, 50 minutes from SFO, and 1.5 hours from SMF. It takes around two hours from GSSC Livermore to get to UC Merced. Please plan your travel accordingly.
- Please take a taxi to the GSSC Livermore center (4221 Las Positas Rd, Livermore, CA 94551); we will have a travel arrangement from GSSC to UC Merced and to the SONA.
Hotel reservation for July 30th
If you need a place to stay on July 30th, call Shelly at (925)-456-5422 to book a room at Best Western Livermore. They have rooms with two queen beds that can fit four people, and they give you breakfast. You can use the code “Livermore Temple” to get a discount rate of $129 + tax.
Form Link (Registration is CLOSED now)
How many seats left?
- Only 0% of seats are left; we will close the registration once we reach the limit.
How is the accommodation?
- Generally separate for boys, girls, males, and females. If a small kid, they can sleep with one of the parents.
What are the fees?
- Kids aged <=5 have free admission to the camp; they must share a bed (twin size) with their parents.
- You still must add the child’s details when you add family members. – $350 for (age > 5 and age <= 21) and $400 for (age >21)Includes four days of accommodation + 3 meals per day + fantastic program for all ages + tons of fun !!.
- Please note:- We only have 300 seats, which is entirely on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Can kids join the camp alone?
- Yes, 18 years or older, any kid below 18 must be accompanied by one parent.
What do you get?
- You meet youth and adults from all over the North America and Youth cultural activities during evening programs.
- You get to share your experiences and learn from them.
- There is yoga, Meditation, family activities, spiritual discourses, fun events, and a chance to live with Shantikunj Saints and spend some quality 1-1 time to get answers to all your questions.
- This year, we will have Adaraniya Dr. Chinmay Pandya (and a potential visit of Shraddhey Dr. Pranav Pandya Ji), who will preside over the camp.
- Inauguration of “Sajal Shradhha and Prakhar Pragya” with 24-Kundi Hawan at SONA (Shantikunj of North America), the property has a breathtaking view of Yosemite national park, where the Urja Anudan satra was conducted by Shraddhey Dr. Pranav Pandya Ji in 2012.
How can I sponsor or support the camp?
- Transporting Cows from Santa Rosa to Yosemite and bringing them back to Santa Rosa – USD 3000
- 24-Kundiy Gayatri Mahayagya Sponsering for inauguration of “Sajal Shradhha and Prakhar Pragya” at SONA – USD 251 per Kund
- Lunch Sponsor (for ~350 people) program at SONA – USD 5000 (Sponsor1) + USD 5000 (Sponsor2)
- Transportation of campers from UC Merced to “Sajal Shradhha and Prakhar Pragya” inauguration place and bring them back to UC Merced at Yosemite – USD 2500
- Sponsoring Youth the for the camp – USD 301 per Youth
- Please visit SONA website for online donation options (please use the Donate button on the page)
Cancellation and refund policy
- 100% before April 30th
- 75% before May 31st
- And no refund after May 31st