Toronto, Canada: Students Thrive in Minghui Summer Camp’s Pure Environment

(Minghui.org) Nearly 50 students attended Minghui Summer Camp in Toronto between July 4 and August 25, 2022. During the eight weeks, in addition to practicing the Falun Dafa exercises and reading the teachings, the students also learned Chinese dance, calligraphy, Chinese painting, and sketching. Many said they were thankful for the productive and pure learning environment.

To help introduce Falun Dafa to the public, the camp also organized various activities such as painting, filmmaking, singing, producing a truth-clarification newspaper, and giving dance performances. Besides creating paintings themselves, the campers also visited the Art of Zhen Shan Ren International Exhibition at the Toronto City Hall to deepen their understanding.

Daily group exercises

Older children read the teachings.

Younger children read the teachings.

Campers visit the Art of Zhen Shan Ren International Exhibition at Toronto City Hall

Campers brush up on their painting skills.

Campers’ chorus.

A Pure Field

Albert (first on right) and the truth-clarification newspaper he helped edit

Albert, 12, has attended the Minghui summer camp for years. He said the experience is not only relaxing but inspires young practitioners to learn from others and do well. This year he participated in filmmaking, painting, dancing, and editing materials for a newspaper. “These group projects help introduce Dafa to people and the experience allowed me to learn how to work with others,” he explained. He also kept notes on where he had done well and not so well so that he could improve.

As a young practitioner, he also realized the importance of improving his xinxing. At first, he sometimes argued with the teachers or the other children. Each time he regretted his behavior and reminded himself that he needed to do better in those areas. “I learned to improve myself instead of looking at others,” he said. “When my friends pointed out where I should have done better, I knew they were helping me.”

Wang Shengyuan (first in row) does the Falun Dafa exercises with other campers.

Wang Shengyuan, 11, has gone to the Minghui Camp for five years. He said he likes it because, “Here my friends and I do not use dirty words when we talk. Every year, I look forward to the summer camp since it is a pure environment.”

Another bad habit Wang had was talking too much. “At first, I often chatted about random or useless things, but the teachers ask us to be quiet during group exercises,” he said. Over time, he was able to control himself and stay quiet during group practice.

No Longer Addicted to Electronics

Eric (second from right) in group study

Eric, 12, said he’s learned something new every time he attends the Minghui summer camp. During the school year, he has lots of homework and has little time to read the Falun Dafa teachings or do the exercises. “Attending the Minghui summer camp helps me with all this,” he said.

When he meditated at home before, he could not sit in the full lotus position with both legs crossed. “Two weeks into this summer camp session, I was able to do it,” he said. “My legs stayed up and I could also stay focused.”

In the past, he spent lots of time playing video games or watching videos. “After being with other campers I realized this wasted time and the contents could be harmful. So I have completely stopped playing video games and rarely look at social media now,” he said.

Being a Better Person

Eight-year-old camper Emma (first one)

Emma, 8, comes to Minghui summer camp every year. “I made lots of friends here and I like the camp very much,” she said. “We do not argue with each other because, as practitioners, we all follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.”

Sarah (front) is five and a half years old now.

Sarah, five and a half, is also fond of the summer camp. “The teachers taught me how to be a good person. I also learned lots of Chinese characters here,” she said.

Seven-year-old Owen (left)

This is the second year that Owen, 7, has attended the Minghui summer camp. “The piano and dancing lessons here are great. Plus I can study the Falun Dafa teachings with others my age,” he said. “I plan to attend next year, too.”

Growing Together with the Children

Ms. Zhao teaches at the summer camp.

Ms. Zhao always used to work with the younger children. This year her class is mostly older campers. “Very often they do not do what I tell them to do. Since they are older, we need to discuss and I explain why,” she said.

Reminding herself she is a Falun Dafa practitioner, Ms. Zhao looked within and realized she needed to be more compassionate and considerate of others. “Sometimes the children are too excited and cannot control themselves. When that happens, I need to remain calm myself and remind them about appropriate behavior,” she added.

After each group study session, she and the children discussed their understandings. “It was a big help for all of them to improve together,” she said. “Once a child said she did not feel good before the group study, but now she is much better. It was amazing.”

The children who come to camp can learn skills and become better people, as can the adults. “This experience also taught me how to be more tolerant and patient—it is a place for all of us to grow together and remain diligent,” she said.