2026​ LIFE CAMP
for Young Adults

Before this camp, I was honestly pretty hesitant to talk about things like happiness and emotions, mostly because of stereotypes and how society views those topics. But through the heart-to-heart conversations we had, I found it easier to open up about my feelings and actually talk about them. It really helped to have others there to listen, and sometimes even help me work through those feelings.

Overall, coming into this camp, I was honestly hesitant. I was giving up part of my college break, and I wasn’t sure if it would be worth it. But now that it’s over, I can say I have zero regrets. This experience has been so helpful, and I really want to carry this feeling of happiness and appreciation into my everyday life—and hopefully spread it to others too. I think the world just needs a little more happiness, and this camp reminded me of that.

I came to this camp hoping to meet new people and make new friends—and I was able to do that, and so much more.
If I had to sum up my experience in two words, I would say: caring community. Not only did I join a community, but I also learned, alongside everyone else, how to be a good community. These are lessons we can take back to our own lives—to build collective strength and face change together. 

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Personally, I was already familiar with many of these ideas growing up, but in the rush of our fast-paced, ever-changing lives, it’s easy to forget or stop prioritizing these values. Society often pushes us to chase happiness through external, material things, rather than through inner peace. But being here—having the time, space, and environment to reflect—I was able to reconnect with those deeper truths again.

I had actually been lost for a long time. When I first entered college, I was drifting through life without any sense of direction — it felt like walking in a fog, unable to see anything clearly.

There was always a question in my heart: There’s something I know I should do, something I know is right… but why can’t I do it?

During the spiritual dialogue, the Dharma teacher said:

“The best method is actually your environment. You need to surround yourself with kind people and have good mentors to guide you.”

That really touched me deeply.

This camp taught me so much, but the most important lesson came on the first day during our discussion about happiness. I realized that at home, I often spent time playing video games for no real reason—it just filled the emptiness. Even though I knew there were things I could do to improve myself, like building my career or learning new skills, I still didn’t act. Listening to everyone’s stories made me reflect deeply and see that maybe happiness isn’t about doing more, but about seeing things from a different perspective.

The most touching experience came from yesterday’s heart-to-heart talk. When the Dharma teacher said, “If you don’t forgive others, the one you’re holding back is yourself,” it really hit me. I realized I often hold grudges or stay upset about small conflicts long after others have let go. Through this camp, I learned the importance of forgiving, letting go, and moving forward—with a clearer sense of purpose and a more open heart.