YSS Conducts Summer Camps in a Beautiful Himalayan Campus
(For Children and Teens, May 31 – June 6, 2026)

July 10, 2026
Swami Lalitananda lights a ceremonial lamp and formally inaugurates the YSS Summer Camp at Shoolini University. Also seen with him are
Swami Nirmalananda and Shoolini University founders Prof. Prem Kumar Khosla and Smt. Saroj Khosla, along with Vice-Chancellor Dr. Atul Khosla.

A New Chapter in Pan-India Youth Outreach

YSS Youth Services conducted its largest ever week-long summer camps for children and teens from May 31 to June 6, 2026, at Shoolini University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh. Over 100 boys and 100 girls from all parts of the country, between the ages of 11 and 17, participated in two separate camps meant for them.

The camps were designed to cater to the unique needs of three different age groups — juniors (11–13), mid-teens (14–15), and seniors (16–17). In addition, young sadhaks in the 18-23 age group were inducted as assistant group leaders so they could grow into service positions of greater responsibility in future.

Based on Gurudeva Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda’s How-to-Live teachings, the camp promoted balanced development of body, mind, and soul. Spiritual routine and discipline were the core features of the camp, with a focus on morning and evening group practice of Energization Exercises and meditation.

How-to-Live classes led by YSS monastics and experienced teachers on practical topics such as fearlessness, concentration, will power, friendship, and intuition, supplemented with age-appropriate group discussions, helped the teens to grasp important life principles. These classes culminated in monastic-led instructions on the YSS meditation techniques in which eligible campers learnt the art of energizing the body with cosmic energy, concentrating the mind through the Hong-Sau technique, and communing with God through the Aum technique of meditation.

Parents' Testimonials

Grateful parents sent numerous messages to YSS about how their children were transformed by the Summer Camp at Shoolini University. Below are a few of them:

As [our son] reached home, he couldn’t stop talking about all the amazing things he learnt and experienced at the camp. He asked me if I regularly practised Hong-Sau or not. He is so impressed by volunteers that he himself wants to become a volunteer eventually.
— V.B. & B.B., Rajasthan
When my daughters returned yesterday, it was pure joy to hear their stories and watch them chant throughout the day. They have been chanting enthusiastically and I can already see the positive energy it has brought into their lives. I know that in time, these sacred practices will become deeply internalized. Listening to them share their experiences — what Swamiji said, how their group leader guided them, and all the little moments that touched their hearts — filled me with immense happiness.
— M. B., Haryana
My son has returned from the camp with a remarkably positive attitude and a renewed sense of confidence and happiness. It is truly heartwarming to see the positive impact the camp has had on him. The dedication, care, guidance, and organization displayed by the team were exceptional. We deeply appreciate the time and effort invested in creating such a meaningful and enriching experience for the children.
— R. A., New Delhi
In this fast world of instant gratification, the Camp provided an excellent atmosphere for children to look around and inside themselves without distractions.
— S. S., Jharkhand
What I really liked about the programme was the beautiful balance of spirituality, discipline, learning, fun, independence, and emotional growth provided to the children in such a caring and value-based environment. Every aspect of the camp appeared thoughtfully designed to help children connect with themselves, with others, and with Guruji’s teachings in a very natural and joyful way.
— H. S., Rajasthan
I have personally been conducting camps for school children and college students for the past five years in NCC. Each camp has 500 cadets and lasts 10 days. We conduct these camps five times a year. However, despite my best intentions, we have not been able to inspire the children spiritually even when we wanted to do so. YSS Camp at Shoolini achieved what we could not achieve. The children benefitted by being able to access their inner spiritual dimension….I cannot express my feelings adequately in words for this spiritual gift by YSS to my son.
— S. V., Karnataka

Video Highlights of the Camps

A Splendid Nature Backdrop

Surrounded by the Himalayan foothills of the Shivalik range, Shoolini University has an expansive 25-acre campus interwoven with picturesque hiking trails and pine forests. The campus offers beautiful views, cool weather, and an atmosphere of peace. This inspiring natural environment became an integral part of the campers’ experience, fostering joyful learning and a deeper appreciation of God’s presence in nature.

YSS Shoolini Camp 2026 - Nature Backdrop - Hills
YSS Shoolini Camp 2026 - Nature Backdrop - Hiking Trail
YSS Shoolini Camp 2026 - Nature Backdrop - Sunset

Two Separate Camps for Boys and Girls

Boys' Camp

A Message from YSS/SRF President

The programme started with an inspiring message from YSS/SRF President and Spiritual Head Sri Sri Swami Chidananda Giri, read out and explained by senior YSS sannyasi Swami Lalitananda Giri (see below).

Spiritual Training of Teens

Group Meditations and Technique Review Classes

Twice-daily group practice of the Energization Exercises and meditation bookended each day of the boys’ camp.

Swami Nirmalananda conducts a review class on Energization Exercises.
Swami Shankarananda leads an outdoor meditation.

How-to-Live Classes

Swamis Lalitananda and Nirmalananda conducted interactive classes on “Intuition” and “Fearlessness” in the seminar halls of the University. In addition, experienced group leaders explored and discussed on other useful topics, such as “Will Power”.

Daily Introspection

Children wound down each day in their dorm rooms with group gatherings of Guru Katha (stories from the lives of the six Gurus of YSS), Gita chanting, cultural programme practice, and introspection (with the help of an introspection chart). The effort was to inculcate in young minds, methods to spiritualize every aspect of their daily lives.

Babaji’s Cave

A favourite activity of the children was visiting “Babaji’s Cave,” a replica with a life-size image of Babaji installed in a forest cove.

Teens chant, meditate, and narrate their favourite stories
of Mahavatar Babaji to one another.
A teen group enjoys fellowship time in “Babaji’s Cave” area.

Educational and Recreational Activities

The boys’ camp also included a broad range of activities that engaged the children and teens in a fun-filled way while inculcating in them discipline and reflection.

Campus Tour

Campus tours offer senior boys an engaging glimpse into the world of modern science.

Sports and Games

Sports include table tennis, cricket, soccer, and other games for boys.

Forest Hikes

Hiking on forest trails, a popular activity for senior teens.

Afforestation Drive

Campers enjoy planting trees in the forest, with their names affixed to each sapling. Next year at the camp, they can check up on their trees’ growth.

Baking

Teens learn the art of baking in the Food Lab.

Arts and Crafts

Boys create decorated photo frames…
...and affix their group’s photo in them.

Family-Style Dining in Groups

Each group of 9 campers with 3 adult group leaders dined together three times every day to create a sense of family. Following yogic principles, they ate in silence while also serving one another and helping with cleanup afterwards.

Swami Nirmalananda leads boys in prayer before food.
Special meals, consisting of sattvic foods appealing to children’s tastes,
are lovingly provided during the camp.

Cultural and Spiritual Festivities

Cultural Programme

The campers put on an evening show featuring acts based on stories from Guruji’s teachings. The programme also included an ensemble performance of Cosmic Chants featuring a variety of musical instruments (see below). 

Spiritual Mela

On the last day of the camp, group leaders organized a creative programme to visualize life in the higher Dwapara Yuga. The children played games centred around intuition, mind-reading, memory, and teamwork. The Spiritual Mela was a big hit!

Children engrossed in one of the games.
Swami Nishthananda, visiting from SRF,
participates in the Spiritual Mela with the teens.

Testimonials

“The meditation sessions were amazing and the How-To-Live classes were very helpful in life. Overall, I made many new friends and I loved the art and craft session the most.”
— H. P., Group 8, 15 years
“It was a memorable camp of my year and life...and I found new friends. Overall, it was a good camp and the Energization Exercises and meditations felt good.”
— S. C., Group 2, 12 years
“Everything about the meditation and its techniques was good. To be honest, I loved the way this camp was planned. Highlights were hiking, movie, science tour, rock painting, Babaji’s cave and stuff.”
— R. N., Group 5, 14 years

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Girls' Camp

Opening Programme

Swami Lalitananda reads a message from YSS/SRF President and Spiritual Head Sri Sri Swami Chidananda Giri during the opening programme.

Spiritual Training of Teens

Group Meditations and Technique Review Classes

Twice-daily group practice of the Energization Exercises and meditation bookended each day of the girls’ camp.

Swami Lalitananda explains the art of recharging the body with cosmic energy
as taught in the Energization Exercises.
Swami Shankarananda prays before the Hong-Sau Technique review class

How-to-Live Classes

Experienced teachers specifically trained to lead teen discussions took classes on topics such as friendship, will power, and compassion in both indoor and outdoor settings (as shown below).

Babaji’s Cave

A separate “Babaji’s cave” set up was provided in the Girls’ Hostel area, exclusively for their use, where group leaders led them in chanting, meditation, and story-telling.

Educational and Recreational Activities

The girls’ camp also included a broad range of activities that engaged the children and teens in a fun-filled way while inculcating in them discipline and reflection.

Campus Tour

During the campus tour, senior teens are introduced to
research avenues in the sciences and the arts.

Sports and Games

Sports for girls include badminton, basketball, throwball, and frisbee,
along with many other indoor games.

Forest Hikes

Teens participate in scenic hikes that include meditation and a picnic lunch.

Baking

Girls learn the art of baking cookies at the Food Lab.

Arts and Crafts

Rock painting sessions are offered by the university’s artist-in-residence. Campers show their painted rocks…

…and other art and craft designs.

Family-Style Dining in Groups

Similar to the boys’ camp, each group of 9 campers with 3 adult group leaders dined together three times every day to create a sense of family. Following yogic principles, they ate in silence while also serving one another and helping with cleanup afterwards.

Girls enjoy the delicious meals in silence in family-style group dining.
Learning to serve one another at meals and creating bonds of friendship.

Cultural and Spiritual Festivities

Cultural Programme

A wonderfully choreographed cultural programme is presented by the girls on the last day of the camp.

Spiritual Mela

While the group leaders in the Boys’ Camp created a futuristic Dwapara Yuga event, group leaders in the Girls’ Camp took the campers to the setting of the last descending Dwapara Yuga, to the time of Bhagavan Krishna. Dressed up as gopinis and gopikas, the campers played simple games and concluded the event with a joyful devotional reenactment of the Raas Lila.

Testimonials

“This is my first camp and I have never experienced anything as beautiful as this! I love the campus of this university; it sets the right vibe for this camp — cool, serene atmosphere, emerald green trees, and cheerful birds. I enjoyed every activity, especially the movie. This camp taught me many things that are very important in life, which I wouldn't otherwise have noticed. I'm really looking forward to the next camp.”
— T. J., Group 4, 13 years
“I remembered that practising gratitude towards God is the best way to attain Self-realization. I will practise Hong-Sau technique and do meditation in the future. This camp was excellent and the service was also good.”
— A. M., Group 2, 12 years
“The most I will cherish are the meaningful friendships, the caring and fathomlessly understanding volunteers, and the way everybody and everything was so perfectly put together! The meditations were enriching and inspiring. The sports were extremely helpful in increasing stamina and teamwork! The food was not only sattvic but also scrumptious.”
— M. S. B., Group 3, 12 years
“Something that I would never forget from this year's camp would be the way of living, the routine, and the schedule that was assigned to the group. I got to learn so much and grew into a really better version of myself. I would obviously never forget the deep serenity of this camp. Thank you so much, YSS, for bringing so much sunshine into my life that I never knew I needed.”
— H. R., Group 10, 15 years

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A Special Guest for the Concluding Programme

Swami Smaranananda, a senior sannyasi of YSS, was the Chief Guest of the closing ceremony in both the Boys’ and the Girls’ Camps. On behalf of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India, he felicitated and warmly thanked the Khosla family for their gracious support in making their university, its facilities, and staff assistance available for the successful and simultaneous conduct of the two YSS Children and Teens Camps.

Speaking at the closing programme, he inspired the campers with a take-home message that encouraged them to make the best of their God-given opportunities and lead happy and successful lives. Holding up an apple seed, Swami Smaranananda pointed out to the campers that just as a small seed grows into a mighty tree producing many fruits, so also their lives should be fruitful to themselves and to society.

Swami Smaranananda felicitates the Khosla family…
...and inspires campers with his closing address.

The Guru’s Umbrella of Protection

In the days leading up to the Camps, Solan town had warm weather and forest fires in the distance. On the opening day of the Camps, the Guru’s umbrella of protection spread above in the form of clouds, rain, and cool breezes. With intermittent showers and cloud cover throughout the week, the programmes continued in pleasant weather. Surprisingly, the sun came out blazing again, the day after the Camps ended!

The enormous success of this historic YSS camp — in a beautiful Himalayan campus with modern amenities — was possible through the support of the volunteers and group leaders, as well as the open and hidden blessings of the great Gurus.

The campers’ gratitude is reflected in the picture below, where girls point to a sign: “With God All Things are Possible!”

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