Note: This article was published in 2011
Samskrita Bharati has been at the forefront of bringing Samskritam to life in the United States through a series of groundbreaking residential immersion camps. These camps, often named after sacred rivers, have created vibrant communities of learners and fostered a deep connection to the ancient language. Let’s take a journey through some of their most memorable milestones.
The Pioneering Spirit: Alakanandā, the First US Camp
In a beautiful parallel, just as ‘A’ is the first alphabet of Samskritam, Alakanandā was the first Samskritam residential camp in the US! This nine-day immersion experience brought together 81 Samskritam enthusiasts along the picturesque banks of the American River in Coloma, California. While James Marshall famously discovered gold here, our participants found something far more valuable: the rediscovered treasure of Samskritam. Beth Kulkarni beautifully narrates the beginnings of this historic camp.
Eastward Expansion: Gaṅgōtrī and Pāvanī
The success of Alakanandā soon led to expansion:
- Gaṅgōtrī – Samskritam Camp Comes East!
In the lush green surroundings of Epping, New Hampshire, Gaṅgōtrī brought the immersive Samskritam learning experience to the East Coast. Its impact was profound, as the East Coast camps, now known as Jaahnavī, have grown from strength to strength ever since. The newspaper Lokavani even covered a report on Gaṅgōtrī’s success. - Pāvanī – A Retreat in the Woods of Massachusetts
For five days, attendees at Pāvanī lived and breathed Samskritam in a gorgeous campsite in East Otis, MA. You can read all about this unique camp experience in the Lokavani newspaper.
Deepening Roots: Bhāgīrathī and the Rise of Youth Camps
As Samskrita Bharati’s activities strengthened in the mid-Atlantic, it was time to move the annual gathering to a more central location:
- Bhāgīrathī – Roots Grow Deeper in Pennsylvania and DC
Previous East Coast camps were primarily held in New England. With growing interest, Bhāgīrathī was staged at Schuykill Manor, Pennsylvania. Dr. Jyotsna Kalavar, a professor at Penn State University, shared her personal experience of this significant camp. - śraddhā – Second Generation Takes on Samskritam!
Following multiple successful family residential camps, Samskrita Bharati opened its doors to a younger generation with śraddhā, the first-ever US Samskritam youth camp. Twenty-two young people spent four days conversing in Samskritam against the serene backdrop of Arsha Vidya Gurukulam in Saylorsburg, PA. Participant Jay Pandya shared his experience and his newfound dedication to Samskritam, inspired by śraddhā.
Growing Momentum: Extended Camps and Record Participation
The demand for these immersive experiences continued to grow:
- śraddhā 2008 – The Extended Version!
Due to popular demand, śraddhā was extended to a seven-day residential camp in 2008. Even after a full week of Samskritam, many youth were reluctant to leave, but they were inspired to bring their families to the subsequent family camp, Jaahnavī. Swathi Krishnan, a 10th grader from Connecticut, narrated one such experience in the Lokavani newspaper. And the teachers? They also shared their thoughts on the extended version in a dedicated article. - Jāhnavī 2008 – Record-Breaking Participation in Edison, NJ
Located just off the path from Little India, Jaahnavī 2008 brought together over 100 Sanskrit lovers for the very first time! Sisters, brothers, fathers, and mothers all participated in this inclusive five-day camp. Read about this remarkable camp experience in an article from Lokavani. - Jāhnavī 2009 – A Memorable Impact
Dr. Jyotsna Kalavar also penned an article sharing the memorable impact of the Jaahnavī Samskritam family camp.
These camps represent more than just language learning; they embody a vibrant community, a cultural revival, and a testament to the enduring appeal of Samskritam. Have you ever attended a language immersion camp? What was your experience like?
