Youth Leadership is an opportunity for young people, ages 16-30 to spend the summer at a meditation retreat center with their peers, make new friends from around the world, help out the local community, and explore the many riches of the Shambhala Path, Dechen Choling and the surrounding French countryside.

Here's how it works:

For a few hours a day participants will help out the local Dechen Choling community on a special project to enrich the center. This light work exchange helps to keep the cost of the program to a minimum (only 10 Euro per day!). The rest of the day will be spent doing a variety of activities including: daily meditation in mornings and evenings (instruction provided for beginners), contemplative art classes, Buddhist and Shambhala talks and discussions (topics chosen by participants), yoga, leadership training, field trips to explore the local culture and history of the Limosin region, and lots of time to have fun and get to know each other.

A very special addition to this year's program is a 5 day Maitri course taught by Sabine Rolf.

During the last week of the program, the Youth Leadership participants will act as teachers and mentors to the children at Family Camp by leading the 3 hour morning children's program, while the parents meditate. This is an opportunity to put our practice into action and create an enriching experience for the children by applying the various techniques and teachings learned in the previous week- compassion, leadership, mindfulness, and working with different energies and emotions.

Shambhala has a wealth of teachings on how to be a genuine and effective leader. We will explore this through contemplative practices, teachings and discussions with senior students and visiting teachers who have incorporated these teachings into their personal and professional lives. Workshops will be given by senior teachers and Acharyas. All participants will be part of a close group who live, work, practice, and celebrate together.

It is also optional to come early/stay later and be part of the DCL Summer Volunteer Program.

Details

Price: 225 Euro
This is a 10 Euro per day charge to cover the cost of food, plus 35 Euro materials fee to cover the cost of supplies and field trips. This program is an offering to support youth. Every effort has been made to make it as easily accessible as possible. Dechen Choling is sponsoring Youth Leadership by allowing us to use the beautiful space at cost (no financial profit to them), and all teachers and staff are donating their time and wisdom.

Language: the main language will be English, translation available upon request.

Accommodation: participants will stay in large tents with beds.

Dates: 8th-26th July, 2009

Travel: for help with planning travel to and from Dechen Choling, please contact the main office at dechencholing@dechencholing.org or call +33 (0)555035552

Please contact Sophie Maclaren if you have questions or would like more information sophie_maclaren@shambhala-europe.org