Written by Selene Luong(Class of 2027)
Photos by IGDVS Counselors and Staff

The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas came alive once again this summer as over 100 campers from across California and around the world arrived at the Instilling Goodness and Developing Virtue School for two weeks of learning, growth, and community activities along with over 30 counselors and 30 families. Running from June 8th to 19th, this year’s camp welcomed students and families under the theme of trust to celebrate the school’s 50th anniversary.

The younger campers, from pre-kindergarten through 4th grade, brought energy and wonder to the camp. Their days were filled with activities such as flower arranging, clay sculpting, Chinese calligraphy, painting, active games, and time spent discovering nature on campus. Each activity was designed not just to be fun, but to spark curiosity and help younger campers explore the virtue of trust, both in themselves and in the environment around them.

Each morning began with breakfast, recitation, meditation and kung fu, setting a tone of mindfulness that carried through the rest of the day.

The teen campers took on an ambitious and diverse program. Some classes included designing their own app to address social issues, creating a business proposal for selling items, traditional Chinese dance, drumming, along with exploring Buddhism, Confucianism, and ethics through the arts and much more. Outside the classroom, campers went camping, hiking, and ran their own booth at the Ukiah Kid’s Farmer’s Market where they utilized the proposals they created in business ethics class.

They also gave back to the broader community through volunteering with the United Disaster Relief of Northern California. The teen girls had the opportunity to perform a Chinese Fan Dance to the song “It’s Called the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas” by Dharma Master Rev Heng Sure at the Ukiah Civic Center as the City of Ukiah kicked off its 150th anniversary celebration.

Older teen campers who joined our residential life got a taste of what it feels like to live independently within a caring community. They learned to manage their own spaces, navigate new challenges, and practice trust. Each evening, they gathered at the Buddha Hall for the Evening Ceremony. On the last evening, a number of teen campers stepped up to share brief personal reflections on their time at camp. Several spoke about considering IGDVS as a place they could see themselves attending as a student, showing how deeply the camp environment connected with them.

The counselors consisted of a dedicated group of older students from current IGDVS students, alumni, and students from other schools. They played the roles of supervisors, role models, and teachers. Several of them led classes themselves, bringing their own unique knowledge and passions into the camp experience. For the counselors, the two weeks were an opportunity to practice leadership, deepen their sense of responsibility, and give back to the community.

An amazing group of family campers also joined the community. Parents and families spent the two weeks deepening their own understanding of buddhist virtues, growing spiritually, and connecting to the natural environment on our beautiful campus. Many also found meaningful ways to be present for the younger campers and helped them throughout their time here.

The camp came to a close with a final showcase,  a celebration of everything the campers had learned, made, and accomplished. Performances and art displays were shared with all the attendees, offering a glimpse into the two weeks. The little campers shared their art and a wholesome dance while the teen campers performed a dance and shared the kung fu set they have practiced every morning. The showcase ended with an awards ceremony as teachers handed out certificates for each camper and counselor to celebrate their accomplishments.

None of this would be possible without the generosity of the volunteer teachers, counselors, parents, and community members, as well as the support from the CTTB kitchen who consistently prepared delicious meals three times a day. We are deeply grateful for everyone who made this camp possible, and we look forward to continuing to grow leaders who carry trust into the next summers to come!