The Devi Mandir 2010 Summer Camp was a huge success. It was a week filled with lots of fun and learning.  It was a fantastic way to spend a week of your summer. The organizers Uncle Sam, Uncle Gordon, and Uncle Tommy planned many fun activities through the week of July 19th. Some of these activities included swimming, go-karting, bowling, cricket, soccer, and a good game of baseball.

The children were very ecstatic as they went bowling in Ajax on Wednesday. The excitement of bowling seemed to really make them happy. They seemed to enjoy the challenge of trying to knock the pins down and rack up their points. They shared many laughs and had a great time together. Bowling seemed to be a big hit with the children and was not only the favored event of Wednesday but of the entire week.
Just like last year’s summer camp, cricket was a big hit, being the most enjoyable out of the outdoor activities played during the week. For many of the children it was their first time learning to play cricket, which meant they had a lot of fun learning something new. Soccer and baseball were also very exciting, as all of the children participated. The last day of summer camp consisted of a good game of tug-of –war, which the children were very pleased with as they proceeded to beat the adults!

Throughout all the excitement this week, the kids were served very delicious meals. There was great variety of healthy food. A special thanks to Uncle Vishnu who purchased pizza for the kids on Thursday and to Uncle Tommy who prepared the meals. Also, a big thank you to those who sponsored lunch (Auntie Janani Yendamuri, Auntie Nan Sharma and Island Mix Restaurant).
Apart from the fun activities during the week, there were many visitors during the day camp. The Durham Regional Police, the Pickering Fire Department and a nurse, Mala Ganesh, who came to inform the children on many important topics. The interesting presentations by these role models allowed the kids to learn many life lessons in an interactive and fun way, which included asking many questions.

On March 7, 2010, the Devi Mandir accepted the GReening of Sacred Spaces award.  We would like to express our sincerest thanks to Cecil Ramnauth for leading this project and ensuring its success.  Below is the acceptance speech at the awards ceremony held at the Eastminster United Church.
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Hinduism and the Environment

Thank you very much Master of Ceremonies, Revered leaders and members of all faith communities, including those from the Devi Mandir in Pickering, Ladies and Gentlemen, Namaste, Seeta Ram, Shalom, Salam, and Good Evening. Much has been documented about what we are doing at the Devi Mandir, but today as Hindus, I was asked to enumerate some of the holy passages of our scriptures that lead us to care for the environment and all of God’s Creations.

At the core of our Hindu Belief System are the laws of Karma and Re- Incarnation. The Hindu therefore must take action on a daily basis (Karma) in order to ensure that he attains “moksh” or the liberation of his soul from the cycles of birth, and death (reincarnation)

At least he tries by his actions that even if he should return to earth he would do so at a higher evolved level until he attains “Moksh” which means “Oneness with God”.  The Hindu therefore is guided to follow “ righteous actions “ or “Dharma “ in everything he does so as to ensure good karma, and thus the final liberation of his Soul.