What is Mindfulness?
On our recent 4-day Kids Nature & Mindfulness Summer Camp, we asked our campers this simple question—and their answers did not disappoint!
Campers gather around the campfire for s’mores and lots of laughs!
Camp Balanced Rock - July 6-9 - Yosemite Valley
There's something truly special about a summer camp for kids, especially when it's immersed in nature. The freedom to explore and play in the great outdoors, the excitement of trying new activities, and the friendships formed under the stars all contribute to a sense of magic and wonder that stays with campers for years to come.
For the first time in several years, the Balanced Rock team decided to run a kids summer camp in Yosemite Valley. Kids programs are very near and dear to our heart, and we believe deeply in educating and inspiring the next generation to get involved in wellness, yoga, nature, and the wilderness! What better way to accomplish this than to host a fun-filled, 4-day nature and mindfulness summer camp adventure during some of the most beautiful days of the summer in Yosemite National Park.
This sweet group of youngsters ages 9-13, led by camp facilitators Heather Sullivan and Andra Kovacs, left no stone unturned as they scrambled over rocks, learned the art of tying knots, performed campfire talent shows, explored nature-inspired journaling & poetry, experienced fun day hikes, practiced yoga in the grass, and had lots of giggles!
Read on and enjoy the photos and reflections below shared by the camp’s co-facilitator Andra Kovacs…
“Our goals of the weekend were to experience a variety of forms of mindfulness in a beautiful setting, and to allow space for fun and play. I think we certainly achieved them!
We woke every morning in the valley, shared breakfast, then filled our day with yoga, nature journaling, mindfulness practices, knot-tying, games, off-trail adventuring, map reading, creativity/art projects, whittling, and more!”
Knot masters in the making! Honing their skills by the campfire.
“On our first full day, we followed Heather off-trail, romping alongside the beautiful and rushing Sentinel Creek until we reached an amazing vantage point just below Sentinel Falls.
Looking out at Yosemite Falls and the valley, we stopped and ate hand-rolled sushi for lunch and did a poetry workshop -- where they each wrote and shared curious, nature-inspired, and oftentimes deeply reflective poetry.”
“Together we studied a map of the valley, noticing all the different layers and features and metrics. Then we sat by the Merced River and the kids made a “Map of Myself” where they each drew, colored, and labeled a creative map of their own internal landscape, their values, and the parts of themselves that they love!”
Learning valuable wilderness skills, like how to read a topographic map, was just one of the things our campers learned during their 4-day camp-out adventure.
“On the final night, the kids decided to put on a “Camp’s Got Talent” show competition around the campfire, which they had been diligently and enthusiastically practicing for.
Though the judges (the three adults) were criticized for being too undiscerning, and giving each act two thumbs up, they gave first place to a participant who successfully tied each advanced knot we learned, second place to a very goofy group choral performance in the style of Gollum from LOTR, and third place to a delightful song and dance routine.
Then we ate dutch-oven baked cobbler and sat around the fire together into the night.”
At one point we asked the kids: what is mindfulness? Here are some of my favorite answers from the group:
Being aware of how you feel and being at peace with it
Focusing on one thing at a time
Staying calm, slowing down, remembering
Observing things as they are and as they change
Using your brain to make good decisions
Yoga & mindfulness beneath the pines!
A huge thank you to all the kids, parents, and facilitators for your part in this amazing summer camp experience! We’re passionate to offer these programs year after year.
If you are interested in future kids programs, please visit our Programs Calendar for more details on all of our upcoming trips & retreats!
All photos provided by Andra Kovacs.