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Tibetan Children in the United Kingdom attend Cultural Summer Camp

A group of 25 Tibetan children and youth attended a 5-day Tibetan Summer camp, from the 20 th - 24 th August, in Worcestershire, England. The camping trip was the first of its kind organised in the United Kingdom by Y-TEC (Young Tibetans Educational Club).

The camp was held at The Old Vicarage Adventure Centre in Stottesdon, Worcestershire. This camp was intended for children between the ages of 6 – 18 years, the youngest camper, this year, being 7 years of age. Most children were from various parts of the U.K., including Brighton, Liverpool, London, Oxford and Surrey, however some of campers came from Vermont, USA, Toronto, Canada and Japan.

The camp activities included various workshops and centre-led activities. Camp workshops included sessions in Tibetan identity and roots, language and calligraphy, daily living and culture and Tibetan art. These covered discussions about Tibetan roots and geography, youth responsibility, the current situation in Tibet, meaning of the Tibetan altar, water bowl offerings, prostrations, Tibetan calendar system and even a debate about Tibetan independence vs. autonomy. During practical sessions, campers participated in making and printing Tibetan prayer flags whilst learning about their meaning. Sessions in butter sculpture making and sand art were also included. Campers participated in learning this year's camp song, and also learned to play the Dramynen (Tibetan lute) and Lingpu (Tibetan flute).

> See pictures in slideshow

Centre led outdoor activities included archery, high zipwire jumping, canoeing, kayaking, raft building, rock-climbing, abseiling and caving. These were thoroughly enjoyed by the children allowing most to attempt such activities for the first time.

During the evenings, campers enjoyed campfires with Gorshey dancing and singing.

The camp concluded with the children wearing their Tibetan chubas and attending sang-sol on the final morning. All the participants were thanked for their hard work with khatas and given badges of "Free Tibet" and the Tibetan flag. A special thanks was given to Kunsang Chodon, Deizom Frasi, Dawa Tenzin, Pema Yoko and Phuntsok Dalu by the camp coordinator Tenzin Takla for all their hard work in organising the workshops. The camp was a success with children, who gave positive feedback at the end of camp and voiced that they were looking forward to the next year's camp.

This camp was possible due to the kind donations and support of various organisations. The children, parents and YTEC are deeply grateful to them, and hope the success of this year's camp will be followed with more such camps in the future.

Contact: Mrs Tenzin Takla
+44 20 8 447 5986 | +44 787 576 0840