Overview

This special 4-night, 5-day multi-generational program is designed for Buddhist families with children. The program will combine Dharma teachings for both parents and young people with traditional camp-style recreational fun. Its goal is to deepen parents' and children’s knowledge and enjoyment of Dharma, and opportunities for practicing together as a family. The curriculum will center on the Buddha’s life and teachings, as well as the practice of loving kindness and compassion in daily life. Fun will include cookouts, swimming, nature activities, and games. It will be a nice chance for Dharma study, meditation and spiritual renewal for all ages!

About Tsechen Kunchab Ling

Family Dharma Camp is offered by Tsechen Kunchab Ling, a Buddhist temple in the Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Tsechen Kunchab Ling is the U.S. Seat of His Holiness the Sakya Trizin. It is located in upstate New York in the Catskill Mountains in the Village of Walden , a little over an hour northwest of New York City . The temple was established by His Holiness the Sakya Trizin in 2001 to provide a place for teaching and study of Lord Buddha's doctrine in general and the Sakya tradition in particular.

Camper Profile

Family Dharma Camp is designed for Buddhist families with children. Extended family members are also welcome. Because the camp is designed for families, those under age 18 must attend together with at least one parent or adult family member.

Teachers and Counselors

Dharma classes will be taught by Venerable Lama Kalsang Gyaltsen and Ani Kunga Chodron. Recreational activities will be led by the husband-wife team Christa Tinari and Sean Chappe.

Venerable Lama Kalsang Gyaltsen is Vice President of Tsechen Kunchab Ling. He is a Tibetan Buddhist monk who is a widely recognized and accomplished teacher and translator of Tibetan Buddhism. He is learned in sutra and tantra, and has studied extensively and spent long periods in meditative retreat. Born in Tibet , Venerable Lama Kalsang Gyaltsen received monastic ordination and advanced religious training from important teachers of the Sakya Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. For the past two decades, he has taught the Dharma widely in Southeast Asia and the United States . In 1986, he established Sakya Phuntsok Ling Center for Tibetan Buddhist Study and Meditation in Silver Spring , Maryland . In April, 2001, he established Tsechen Kunchab Ling Temple as the U.S. Seat of His Holiness the Sakya Trizin. With nearly two decades of experience in teaching Western students, his kindness, wisdom, and practicality are widely admired by all.

Ani Kunga Chodron teaches Buddhism at George Washington University . She is also Secretary/Treasurer of Tsechen Kunchab Ling. Born in Seattle Washington , she became a Buddhist nun in the Sakya Order of Tibetan Buddhism in 1988, and has received numerous teachings from the high lamas of that tradition. She helped Venerable Lama Kalsang Gyaltsen establish Sakya Phuntsok Ling Center for Tibetan Buddhist Studies and Meditation in Silver Spring , Maryland , and serves as President of that Center. She also helped Lama Kalsang Gyaltsen establish Tsechen Kunchab Ling as the U.S. Seat of His Holiness the Sakya Trizin. She holds a doctorate in Comparative Human Development from Harvard Graduate School of Education and has authored many books and articles on education, and spent over a decade teaching Buddhism to both adults and children.

Christa Tinari has extensive experience as Director and Counselor at various outdoor education day and overnight camps, as well as experience as director of YMCA and other youth and family programs, and before- and after-school programs. She holds a masters degree in International Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, with a concentration in education, and a bachelor's degree in Psychology. She currently works as an educational consultant providing peace education and violence prevention services to children of all ages, as well as staff at universities, public and alternative schools, child care facilities, and faith-based communities. She is a student of Venerable Lama Kalsang Gyaltsen and member of Sakya Phuntsok Ling and Tsechen Kunchab Ling.

Facility

Tsechen Kunchab Ling Temple is situated on five scenic acres in the Catskill Mountains, on the outskirts of the quiet village of Walden , New York . The property includes a century-old historic inn, a large shrine hall for 250 people and a smaller shrine hall. A near-by park includes a small lake beach and children’s playground. Far from the crowds, yet centrally located, the temple is just over an hour’s drive from New York City and is convenient to major highways and airports.

Activities

Camp activities will include morning and afternoon Dharma classes for younger people and older people separately. For children, the classes will be followed by Dharma-related games, crafts and activities. For adults, classes will be followed by sutra reading and meditation. All-family recreational activities will include nature activities, cookouts, games, and swimming. The day will begin and end with brief Dharma ceremonies and prayers.

Daily Schedule

- Morning Prayers
- Breakfast
- Dharma study and Dharma activities
- Free time
- Lunch
- Dharma study and Dharma activities
- Snack
- Family Activity
- Outdoor Fun and Free time
- Dinner
- Group Activity
- Evening Prayers

Parent Assistance

The Family Dharma Camp is run by volunteers, therefore, adult campers will be requested to spend a few mornings or afternoons take turns helping to prepare meals, clean the grounds, babysit for 0-3 year olds, and supervise the children’s cabins at night.

Sleeping Arrangements:

Everyone is welcome to stay at the temple, although accommodations are basic, and the amount of privacy depends on the number of registrants. Depending on the number of registrants, each family will have a one-room retreat cabin, most with two beds and a shower. Bring sleeping bags for children to sleep on the floor. Bathrooms and showers are shared. For those who prefer other arrangements, several budget hotels are available within 15 minutes drive. See www.sakyatemple.org for available hotels.

Childcare for children 0-3:

During teachings, parents will take turns providing childcare for infants and toddlers.

Cost:

Tuition, food, and lodging: $100 per family member

What to Bring:

Dharma items:
Mala (rosary)
Notebook for taking notes on Dharma class, pencils and pens
One battery-powered tape recorder with 3 cassettes per family
Batteries for the tape recorder
Personal daily prayers (optional)
Special meditation cushion if you need it. (The shrine room is equipped with flat cushions).

Bedding:
Please come prepared for the children to sleep on the floor.
2 single sheets
2 blankets, or a sleeping bag
Pillow and pillow cases
Foam or air mattress for sleeping on. (Mattresses are available for those coming by airplane).

Clothes:
Everyday casual clothes
1 pair of clothing that can get wet and dirty
1 pair of long pants
1 pair of comfortable closed-toe shoes you don’t mind getting dirty
1 pair of shower shoes or "flip-flops"
sweatshirt or light jacket
underwear
lots of socks
rain gear or jacket
sleepwear
bathing suit and beach towel

Personal:
2 towels and washcloths
Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant and other personal toiletry items
Ear plugs, if you are noise sensitive at night. Walls are thin and there will be many children.

Especially for Babies:
Tsechen Kunchab Ling has no special baby furniture such as cribs, high chairs, etc. Please bring any furniture your baby needs.
Please bring any formula or baby food your child requires. A microwave is available.
Please bring your own disposable diapers.

Other:
flashlight and batteries for each person
insect repellent for each person
sunscreen for each person

Optional things to bring:
Dharma books for personal reading
musical instruments
camera and film
sunglasses
letter paper for sending notes or cards

Arrival and Departure Times:
Please plan to arrive after lunch, by 1:30 pm on Thursday, August 9. The program will continue until approximately 1:00 pm on Sunday, August 12.

How to Register:
Fill out the attached form, and send or fax it to:

Attn: Ani Kunga Chodron
Tsechen Kunchab Ling Family Dharma Camp
354 Prelude Drive
Silver Spring , MD 20901
Phone/fax: (301) 906-3378

A Few Notes to Make Your Stay More Comfortable:

There is only one phone line, for use in emergencies only. It has no out-going long distance service. If you need to make phone calls, it’s best to bring a cell phone.
No email access is available at camp.
No pets.
No smoking, and of course no alcohol or intoxicants of any kind.
If you bring a radio or CD players, please listen only with an earphone.

Any personal items that children bring, such as toys, computer games, candy, etc. must be shared with other children. Please make sure your child is familiar with this rule and brings only items he or she will be glad to allow other children to use.

Three meals a day and snack will be served, with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices, and child-friendly menus. As the kitchen is unable to prepare special food for unusual diets or food preferences, those with special needs may choose to eat in a local restaurant, about 10 minutes walk away. Please advise us if you have a life-threatening food allergy.

If your child needs medications, you will be in charge of administering them yourself.

A convenience store is located 10 minutes walk away, and a grocery/drug store 20 minutes walk away.

Parents are responsible for the safety and good conduct of their children at all times. Our insurance company requires parents to sign a liability statement to this effect.

How to Get to Tsechen Kunchab Ling:

By Air: The nearest airport is Stewart Airport (SWF) in Newburgh , NY . There are four direct flights from Chicago via American Airlines. In addition there are flights via other connections on United, Delta, and US Air. Check with your travel agent for details.

By Train: Amtrak (800-872-4900) serves Poughkeepsie NY (16 miles from the Temple ) from NYC. In addition the local commuter train, Metro North (212-532-4900) serves several towns in the region. Contact these numbers to arrange connecting schedules.

By Car: The temple is located about an hour’s drive northwest of New York City . It is 10 minutes from the intersection of Route 84 and Route 87/New York Thruway. For detailed driving directions from your location see www.sakyatemple.org

Temple Contact Information:

Mailing address: 354 Prelude Drive , Silver Spring , MD 20901
Camp location: 12 Edmunds Lane , Walden NY
Emergency (only) contact during camp session: (845) 778-0113
For questions contact: Ani Kunga Chodron at (301) 906-3378