Learning the Dharma through Games and Performances: 2025 Three Acts of Goodness Summer Camp at Hsi Fang Temple

By Hsi Fang Temple

Hsi Fang Temple and the BLIA San Diego Young Adult Subdivision (YAD) co-hosted the “2025 Three Acts of Goodness Summer Camp” on June 21 and 22. Nearly 50 children and youth volunteers participated in two days of activities. Buddhist stories and the life of Venerable Master Hsing Yun were learned through fun and engaging games and performances.

Ven. Yi Shan, the abbess of Hsi Fang Temple, encouraged the campers and counselors for choosing to spend part of their summer at the temple—to learn, grow, and make new friends, instead of staying at home playing video games or watching TV. At the closing ceremony, the counselors and youth staff volunteers received a Samantabhadra Bodhisattva keychain and a certificate of appreciation, recognizing their efforts in leading the children to apply the Dharma in everyday life. Camp leader Isabel Herrick also expressed gratitude to the parents for entrusting the team with their children and promised to give the campers joyful memories to carry with them.

The activity team designed outdoor games based on four Dharma stories. In the " Sweep and Clean" game, children searched through sand for puzzle pieces and read the full story once the puzzle was complete. Their favorite water game was inspired by the story of “Educating Rahula.” The story “Feed the Chick” from the life of Ven. Master Hsing Yun was turned into a game where kids used tubes to pick up small balls. Another game, based on the story “Traffic Stop,” used a red-light/green-light format to highlight Master Hsing Yun’s values of Humanistic Buddhism.

Even the most energetic campers learned calm and mindfulness during the Buddhist Etiquette session taught by Ven. Zhi Ching and Ms. Ileana. They practiced bowing, joining palms, and walking meditation in the main shrine. Ms. Ileana also showed short videos to help children understand the lives of the Buddha and Venerable Master Hsing Yun. After watching Kung Fu Panda 4, Ms. Season led a discussion on the values found in the film. During afternoon walk, children practiced focus by carrying a cup of water mindfully while walking. The campers began and concluded their day by reading the prayer and meditation, which helped them deepen the Buddhism experience in doing morning and evening chanting.

On the last day, the four groups each performed a story from Bodhi Light Tales, including “A simple change of mind,” “A Respectful Heart Is the Buddha's Heart”, “Bubble Necklace,” and “The Third Floor.” The stories not only taught the campers valuable lessons, but also touched the hearts of parents and family members in the audience, who witnessed the growth of the participants through their performances.

Genevieve Samson, one of the parents, shared that her daughter Josie Mikles, though only 11, was given the opportunity to serve as an assistant counselor. Watching her daughter transition from a Buddhist class student to a camp volunteer was a meaningful experience, and she thanked Hsi Fang Temple for providing a safe space that nurtures such positive transformation.