Another year, another youth camp. Last year I shared about Blue Star’s Youth Camp, and since I’ve been co-facilitating again this year, let me share about my part of it.

2025’s theme for camp was “Building a Better World Together” with sessions focused on understanding community, relationships and connections. This year I wanted to be more present, this led to some juggling of work and family things, and ultimately I was able to be there for half of the camp. I continue to be impressed by our youth, by their level of thinking and understanding. It is both my belief and my hope that what we provide through the Blue Star provides a solid foundation for them to grow into their fullness.

Planning a camp takes a lot of work from so many people. Most of the current youth group facilitators are former members of the youth group and that serves us well in that we have ideas of how things can be, we are familiar with the content and values that we would like to impart through current sessions. As I’ve shared before, it is seva, selfless service that allows for these camps to be manifest. There is also a measure of grace that supports our growth and the work that is done. 

The first day of camp was given to introducing the youth to ideas of community and the relationships that exist within those communities. On the second day we focused on self, and in planning the day, I thought it would be brilliant to share about self through the panchamaya koshas, the illusory veils that sheathe the Self.

The koshas are mentioned in the Taittiriya Upanishad, in the second chapter/section Brahmananda Valli, which explains the five sheaths that cover the true Self. The framework of the koshas guides us inward, from the outermost layer of our physical body to the innermost layer of true bliss.

If you are unfamiliar with the koshas, here is a brief explanation of pancha (five) maya (illusion) koshas (sheaths):

• Annamaya kosha: food sheath or physical sheath: describes the body made up of the five elements

• Pranamaya kosha: energy sheath: describes the vital force within the body, the energy behind the breath

• Manomaya kosha: mental sheath: describes the manas or the behavioural component common to all beings, the mind and the senses of perception

• Vijnanamaya kosha: intellect or wisdom sheath: describes the intellectual and discerning faculty of the mind 

• Anandamaya kosha: bliss sheath: describes the inner most sheath closest to the true Self

If you are asking yourself how one can take that and translate it into something that youth (between 8 and early 20s) can begin to grasp and also relate it to the overall theme of the camp… then you’re almost a camp facilitator.

As a random aside, I often think that one can take a single idea, dedicate one’s whole life to the study of that, and find grace in that way. It reminds me of a favourite fantasy book, Belgarath the Sorcerer, where Belgarath spends ages (decades? centuries? It’s been awhile since I reread the book) studying mountains. 

In my case, I mindmapped it, created a poster that could visually show the sheaths, selected activities and discussion points for the koshas and shared it with my fellow facilitators. Here’s a brief breakdown of the first three layers so you can have an idea or use for the base of your own discussions with youth:

• Annamaya kosha - we spoke about the physical body, did some physical practice and watched a video on the human body systems

• Pranamaya kosha - we practiced pranayama - cleansing breath and the breath of joy - and reflected on our experiences

• Manomaya kosha - we discussed how thoughts and feelings affect us, and then broke into groups to discuss affirmations and returned to a full group circle to share how affirmations and mantras could positively affect us

I had to leave at midday but after lunch the group continued to turn inwards, exploring vijnanamaya and anandamaya koshas through tapping, a relaxing singing bowl experience, and meditation.

The feedback I received from the youth was overwhelmingly positive. These are concepts that I learnt about in my youth through the Blue Star, that I have explored through my studies and personal inquiry, and it is a joy to see how our youth absorb and begin to understand as well.

As always, my time with the Blue Star Youth group has been nourishing on many levels. I hope that you are encouraged to explore working with or being with young people.

peace,