Below we have tried to provide some information on the campsite and activities during the camp in order to help you plan for the camp. If you have any other questions, please contact us ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

1.  Who can attend?
All are welcome. NO prior knowledge of Samskritam is required. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.

2.  When will the camp start and when will it end?
Camp will start on Saturday, May 24th and end on Monday, May 26th at 2:00 pm. Reporting time is around 7:00 PM on Friday, May 23rd. Make sure that you have signed the registration, consent and insurance forms. (These will be sent to you once you register and they will also be uploaded here.) Please submit these at the registration desk at the campsite. Dinner will be served from 8:15 PM to 9:15PM. If you plan on arriving late on Friday night, and cannot join us for dinner, please inform us through email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

3.  How do I register?
Please follow http://www.samskritabharati.org and complete the step by step directions.

or   http://www.samskritabharati.org/sb/Residential-Camps-in-US/narmadaa 

Click on MS-Word or PDF to download a copy of the complete FAQ.

4.  When is the registration complete?

Registration is complete after the payment is made, either through the paypal system, or, by mailing a check for the appropriate amount to the address specified in the registration page.

5.  What is the cancellation policy?

Cancellation policy is as follows. Cancellations must be made via phone or email. An email must be sent to either This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or a voicemail received by a volunteer before the dates listed below. Please contact one of the volunteers listed below. 

• Requests made by the 28^th of April will be eligible for a full refund. 
• Requests made between the 28^th of April and 19^th of May will be eligible for a 75% refund.
• Requests made between the 20^th and the 23^rd of May will be eligible for a 50% refund.
• Cancellations made on or after the 23rd of May will forfeit the full amount.

6.  Can we arrive on Saturday or later?
We highly discourage participants from coming late, as you will be missing classes (it will be difficult to catch up with the rest of the class) and other activities as schedules start from early morning of May 24th. If you have questions, please contact one of the volunteers (names and phone numbers are given at the end of this document).

7.  What is the address for the campsite?  
Camp Nawakwa, 4650 Jenks Lake Road East, Angelus Oaks, CA 92305

8.  Who do I call if I have any problems reaching campsite?
If you have any problems reaching the campsite, please contact one of the volunteers listed at the end of this document.

9.  What are the directions?

Please use Map Quest, Google, Yahoo or any of your favorite internet portals to find directions to the campsite address.

10.  Which is the nearest airport?

Ontario International Airport

2900 E. Airport Drive

Ontario, CA 91761

11.  When you arrive at the camp.
Follow the signs to the registration desk for Narmadaa. Several Samskrita Bharati volunteers will be there at the campsite after 6 pm.

12.  Can I just attend during the day and skip staying there at night?

No, we require all participants to enroll as residential campers only. We strongly believe that this facilitates learning through a complete immersion into Samskritam experience for all attendees.

13.  Levels?
Beginners-I (NO prior knowledge of Samskritam) 
Intermediate-I (Basic conversational skills)
Intermediate-II (Medium level conversational skills and basic grammar)

Advanced (Good conversational skills & Intermediate grammar)
Balagana-I (5 - 9 years)
Balagana-II (10 - 14 years)

14.  Faculty?
Sri Vasuvaj, a fulltime Samskrita-Bharati volunteer with more than 20 years of teaching experience will be coming from India. He will be complimented by other experienced and dedicated volunteer-instructors of Samskrita Bharati.

15.  Do you provide Course material?
Yes, course material in the form of handouts will be provided. Exercise books will be available for purchase at the campsite. You may bring any Samskritam books or study material that you may have for your reference.

16.  What kind of classes would children attend?

There are Samskrita Bharati instructors trained to handle children’s classes. Their program is customized to include study and play, grouped by age.

17.  What kind of clothing should I bring?
It is summer predominantly, but be prepared for a sudden drop in temperature or rain.

18.  What should I bring and NOT bring to Camp ?
Things to bring:
• Sheets, pillowcases, blankets(mattress and pillow will be available on dormitory style bunk beds)
• Toiletry items (Tooth paste & brush, Soap, comb, towels etc. , items of personal hygiene)
• Personal prescription medicine
• Some warm clothing
• Loose clothing (Yoga sessions)
• Laundry bag
• Shoes/Sneakers
• Plastic water bottle
• Mosquito/Insect Repellent
• Personal alarm clock
• Flashlight
• Umbrella/raincoat/poncho
• Notebooks, Pens/Pencils
• Samskritam books if you already have – diikshaa book set, abhyaasapustakam, abhyaasadarshinii, vibhakitvallari,samaasaH, sandhiH (some of these will be useful depending on the class you will be attending).
Optional:
• Any kind of audio recorders - To record any teaching sessions
• Any musical instruments – To participate in cultural events
• Indian Clothing for the cultural events in the evening
• Camera, film
• Camcorder
• Calling cards and quarters for payphone, if cell phone signal becomes spotty.
• Chargers for any battery operated equipment in use.
Things NOT to bring
Please do not bring expensive jewelry and other valuables. Also, please do not bring TV, Radio, Cassette Players, Video Games, iPODs, etc. These items can break or be lost easily in the camp. Similarly, hair dryers, curling irons and other personal appliances are also strongly discouraged.

19.  Should we pack the bags separately within a family?
Yes, please pack bags for men and women separately, since they will be housed in separate quarters. All the children will be staying with a parent.

20.  Are there any transportation facilities?
Transportation is participants’ responsibility. However, Samskrita Bharati volunteers coming in from different areas will try to accommodate any reasonable request, if there is room in their vehicle. We strongly encourage and solicit help of all participants, who can offer a ride to other participants in their area or en route. If you can help, or need help, please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it indicating the number of participants you can accommodate, or, who need to be accommodated. Either way, a volunteer will be assigned to co-ordinate arrangements.

21.  Food, Lodging, Laundry and Telecommunications
Do you have Laundry facilities?
There are NO Laundry facilities (washer/dryer) at the campsite. Please bring enough clothing for 4 days.
How are the lodging facilities?
Participants will sleep in wood structure cabins that are equipped with electricity. Dorm style. Sheets, blankets and pillows will be required. There would be separate quarters for men and women. Children will be staying with one of the parents.
Are there any telecommunication facilities?
Good cell phone coverage, and payphones. But participants are advised not to use the phones disruptively.
What kind of food would be available at the camp?
Morning continental breakfast, Indian Vegetarian Lunch/Dinner, and evening Tea/Coffee/Snacks would be provided at the camp. If you have any personal preferences for cookies/snacks for yourself or your kids, please bring them with you. You will not have time to go out of the camp for shopping.

22.  Would there be any first-aid kit available?
There would be a generic medical kit available at the campsite. However, please bring your personal medicines if you have any special needs.

23.  Where is the nearest pharmacy located?
CVS Pharmacy is located 6 miles from the campsite at 42136 Big Bear Blvd, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315. We strongly urge that you purchase whatever is required ahead of time so that you do not have to miss any camp activity.

24.  Is there any medical assistance nearby?
• Bear Valley Community Hospital is located 6 miles away at 41870 Garstin Rd, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315. Phone: (909) 866-6501.

25.  What is a typical day at camp?
Given below is a tentative schedule. However, the final schedule will be decided before the start of the camp & published at the campsite.

General Information
• Please fill and sign the accompanying registration/consent/insurance form (one per family) and submit at the registration desk during check in. This form maybe downloaded from the website.
• Other than during classes, keep your children under your supervision, as it is easy for children to get lost in the camp facility.
• No Pets allowed
• Ample parking facilities are available
• Smoking is discouraged and is not permitted inside camp buildings, and is confined to designated outdoor areas indicated by your Samskrita Bharati volunteer.
• Quiet Time: 11pm – 5am
• You should report any facility issues, repairs, accidents, incidents, injuries and
illnesses to a Samskrita Bharati volunteer.
 
We hope the above information has been useful to you. If you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact any of the volunteers listed below. Please visit Samskrita Bharati website for activities in your area http://www.samskritabharati.org

We look forward to seeing you at the Jaahnavii Samskritam Shibiram.
Jayatu Samskritam!                                                                          Jayatu Manukulam!

Samskrita Bharati Volunteer Group

CONTACT INFORMATION
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact any of the following Samskrita Bharati volunteers!