Summer for Families

Parents, children, teens and young adults gather, gather HOH

Family is an integral part of the Shambhala community. Dechen Chöling is a place where families from around the globe come together to practice, have fun, and enjoy each other away from the speed and busyness of daily life. We warmly invite you to join us this summer for one or all of our programs for parents, children, teens and young adults.

Family Camp 17-29 July *

A Dechen Chöling tradition! In the morning, three programmes run for children aged 3-10, while the parents have time for meditation practice, study, and contemplation. In the afternoons and evenings, there are structured and spontaneous activities for the whole family: outings, campfires, parent circles, and contemplative activities for the whole family.

* optional to do all or half of the program

Rites of Passage 23-29 July

This years Family Camp includes a special program for 8 year olds which acknowledges their first major step towards adulthood and the first assumptions of responsibility in the family and beyond.

Children are introduced to their own natural potential to face the events of life, big and small, with an open heart, inquisitiveness, dignity, and fearlessness. These qualities are discovered through stories and discussions with the core teacher, meditation and mindfulness practices and meditative art forms such as ikebana flower arranging, calligraphy, spontaneous poetry and physical disciplines such as marching drill, kyudo (contemplative archery), and serving one another. The program culminates in a special ceremony. Eight and nine-year-olds who have not had the opportunity to engage in the Rites are also welcome.

Information and registration for Family Camp and/or Rites of Passage

Sun Camp 20-27 July

In this program for 10-16 year olds, children discover warriorship as a gentle, ongoing practice of uplifting themselves and their environment. They can experience life as open space; they wake up with the sun, follow a daily schedule and participate in a variety of planned activities. Children learn to take responsibility for themselves and others, within the structure of a clear chain of command.

More information and registration

Cadet Command Workshop 17-20 July

CCW is a three day program for 14 to 16 year olds who have previously attended Sun Camp. The program focuses on the leadership skills that CCW participants will need to help prepare and take care of, the container and environment in which Sun Camp will take place.

More information and registration

Youth Leadership 7-31 July *

Our popular new programme for young people aged 15-25. Participants spend the morning hours as part of Dechen Chöling staff, and afternoons with the group doing a variety of activities and classes including contemplative art workshops- Japanese and Chinese calligraphy, Ikebana flower arranging, photography, and Kyudo Japanese archery- Shambhala teachings, Buddhist teachings, meditation, yoga, and culminating in a Shambhala-style sweat lodge ceremony based on that of the Native American tradition. There will also be social activities, dance parties, trips to the local villages and markets, and plenty of time to relax and explore the beautiful French countryside.

Participants of the Youth Leadership programme 2007

More information and registration

* optional to do all or half of the program

Back to the top of this page