(Minghui.org) A Minghui School Summer Camp was held in Normandy, France, from August 10 to 20, 2026. Fifty parents and children attended the camp which was held at a seaside equestrian farm. Some attendees came from Switzerland and Canada.

Parents and children do the Falun Gong exercises. (Minghui.org)

Children Participate in Various Activities and Classes

The campers read Zhuan Falun and practiced the Falun Gong exercises every morning, and they were encouraged to conduct themselves according to the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.

The students attended Chinese classical dance, calligraphy, and Chinese martial arts classes. They also participated in outdoor activities including horseback riding, catamaran sailing, and sailing in the sea. They visited local historic sites and learned traditional crafts and breadmaking.

Some activities created an opportunity for the students to interact with and help each other: during dance classes they helped each other become more flexible; during horseback riding they learned to share, as several people had to use the same horse. When they sailed they had the opportunity to experience nature and the relationship between man and nature.

Students enjoyed horseback riding. (Minghui.org)

Students and adults prepare to set sail. (Minghui.org)

Students learn Chinese classical dance. (Minghui.org)

Campers Participate in Local Events

The parents and students participate in several local events.

At one event, they demonstrated the exercises, told local residents about Falun Gong and the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution and state-sanctioned forced organ harvesting. Some people signed the petition calling for an end to the forced organ harvesting crimes.

The students wrote and performed a short drama, “Fairytale of the Lotus.” They also taught people how to make origami lotus flowers. The dance teachers gave Chinese classical dance performances.

Parents and children participate in a local event, demonstrate the exercises, and perform Chinese classical dance. (Minghui.org)

People who attended the event as well as the person from the municipal government who invited practitioners to participate repeatedly thanked them for participating, and some residents asked where they could learn Falun Gong.

Experience-Sharing Conference

A small experience-sharing conference was held before the camp ended and 14 practitioners spoke.

Experience-sharing conference (Minghui.org)

Raphaël, 15, previously attended the summer camp and talked about his understanding of “Loss and Gain” in Zhuan Falun: Insulting or making fun of others actually gives them precious de (virtue) and the person obtains karma. When we do kind deeds we gain de. When we suffer we are paying for our karma.

He said, “It is difficult for me to avoid arguing with my younger brother. Afterwards, I’m filled with regret. I tell myself, instead of suffering to pay back the karma, I should be tolerant.”

Ever since he was little, Raphaël has wanted to become a Shen Yun dancer. He participated in the Chinese classical dance classes during the camp.

He shared one experience with a non-practitioner classmate. One night, he witnessed a bad thing one of his classmates did. The student that was caught not only did not feel ashamed, they thought it was funny.

Raphaël said, “The experience showed me people’s state of mind nowadays. I told myself that night: I want to become a Shen Yun dancer so I can help wake up people’s consciences. Through Shen Yun’s dances and choreography, we can show people and remind them what human qualities they should have, such as respect and kindness, and also help them distinguish between good and evil.”

Alexis, 12, shared his experience of reading Zhuan Falun.

He said, “Some contents in Zhuan Falun are still a bit complicated for me. Even though it is difficult for me to fully understand, I do understand one principle: doing bad things will lead to accumulating karma.”

He also understood that Falun Dafa is not for treating illnesses, and one must cultivate with their heart and remove attachments. He said, “This has made me complain less and become more thoughtful. Sometimes, I would turn off the game myself. I did not want mom to worry about me.”

Work Together and Help Each Other

The campers prepared the meals. The adults cooked, while the children washed the dishes and set and cleared the tables.

During these daily chores, the children learned to assume responsibilities, be considerate, help each other, and cooperate.

Reflecting on Their Camp Experiences

The parents also shared their experiences at the camp, their experiences interacting with the children, and their observations of the children’s positive changes.

The parents observed that after living and learning with practitioner families, the children had more positive understandings of cultivation. They were no longer like before, after they returned to living in society, they would feel lonely or unable to resist temptations that made them slide downward.

One mother said that after he came home her son asked her to help create a schedule for Fa study. She said, “Now when he reads the Fa he feels that the Fa is very profound and real. I feel that he is no longer a child who practices alongside his parents, but a true cultivator.”

Another mother shared that on the first night after they returned home, her son wept and said he was very sad because the summer camp was over. She thought he would be happy to return home and sleep on his soft and comfortable bed after living in a tent at camp. She did not expect that he was reluctant to leave the camp.

Another practitioner’s daughter never practiced Falun Gong before and did not consider herself a practitioner. Her parent said, “After we come home she began to do the exercises and read the Fa with us. She frequently watches videos of dances that she learned at the camp. She also listens to music written by practitioners.”

The girl’s father who is not a practitioner said, “In the past, due to some media reports, I always had some doubts. But now I do not have any doubts. I think this practice is good. I know Falun Gong is good and that practitioners are good people.”

Attendees reflected on their experiences during the summer camp and hoped to continue to do the three things well. They looked forward to meeting again next year.