Junior CHYK Retreat 2024
Registration is officially closed. We do have a few spots left - if you are interested in attending, please email jchyk-retreat@cmsj.org and we will consider requests on a rolling basis.
Dates: Sat Feb 17 - Sun Feb 18, 9am-6pm
Who can attend: Grades 9 - 12 in Balavihar
Registration Fees: $60
Registration Deadline: Jan 31st
The Junior CHYK retreat is a two-day camp just for high school Balavihar students, run by CHYKs. It includes interactive workshops, sports, games, Q&A, and more!
This is an opportunity to spend an exciting weekend to learn, grow, and have fun in a community of like-minded peers! This will be our third year conducting the retreat at the CMSJ ashram.
> What is Junior CHYK? CHYK (Chinmaya Yuva Kendra) is the youth wing of Chinmaya Mission for ages 18-28. Junior CHYKs are students in grades 9-12.
> Why should I attend? Rather than hearing from us, check out what previous years' attendees said:
1) Some said that they were forced to come to the retreat by their parents, but by the end of Day 1, they ended up loving it and wanted to come again.
2) Many said that they expected it to be a weekend of just lectures. They were surprised they got to learn through games, workshops, group discussions, and quality time with Sohamji!
3) Finally, almost every person said they didn't realize that they would bond so much with each other and with the CHYK volunteers, both of which made for an atmosphere of fun and closeness.
So if you're excited to learn, grow, and have fun in a community of like-minded people— register now!
> Questions about the retreat? We're happy to answer them! Email us at jchyk-retreat@cmsj.org.
Brahmacharini Akalkaji
We are excited to announce that Brahmacharini Akalkaji will be visiting from New Jersey to conduct this retreat! Akalkaji was raised in New Orleans, Louisiana and then San Diego, California. She has a unique perspective that helps her easily relate to youth raised in America.
Akalkaji brings a medley of experiences to our 2024 JCHYK retreat. She taught Sanskrit at two Youth Empowerment (YEP) Courses for CHYK West, was a middle school instructor in the 2020 and 2021 E-Balavihar Summer Camps, and continues to teach middle schoolers in E-Balavihar. She attended the 2013-2015 Vedanta Course and thereafter served in Trinidad and Tobago for 6 years, teaching Sanskrit and conducting various satsangs.
Akalkaji is currently posted at Chinmaya Ramdoot in New Jersey, where she organizes several events for Junior CHYKs. She connects well with the JCHYKs due to her dynamic, friendly, and kind personality. We are very lucky to have her!
Retreat Schedule
This year's retreat will be based on Chapter 3 of the Bhagavad Gita and highlight practical ways for high school students to apply the principles of karma yoga in their everyday lives. Our theme is "Lights, Camera, Action!"
LIGHTS💡
Illumine with Knowledge
CAMERA 📸
Focus on Dharma
ACTION! 🎬
Live Dynamically!
Have a blast and get inspired by Gita, games with friends, and workshops with CHYKs!