I learned some valuable lessons, made new friends, reconnected with old faces, made so many memories, and I had so much fun. Even if I didn’t expect it. This is the story of my Dashain Camp experience.

Kopila Valley School first introduced Dashian Camp in the year 2016, when I was in Grade 6. I instantly knew which class I wanted to take. During a month-long holiday break from school, I spent two weeks learning to have fun with dancing. Every year, I always looked forward to Dashain Camp, as it was the only time where I could partake in dance classes from professionals from all over the world.

This year for Dashain Camp 2023, I moved from taking dance classes to coaching one!

As a daughter of poems to whom words easily spill in the form of ink on a paper, I was debating whether to teach dance or poetry. The camp Director, Faeez, suggested combining both poetry and dance. And I thought, ‘What a great idea!’

I had this grand idea formed in my head! I was going to choreograph a dance to poetry. I couldn’t stay still with excitement and zeal.

But what I didn’t know was that life is full of surprises, and what you plan might not be what ultimately happens.

From my university studies in Kathmandu, I traveled home to Surkhet. And there was a Dashain party vibe going all around the town. From my brief interactions with people, everyone is excited for the Camp.

Meeting new people is nerve-wracking, but I also look forward to it. Every Camp, each person brings a unique essence about them, and they impact us all. I knew from the first glance that it was going to be one more fun camp!

On the first day of camp, there were students lined up outside the front gate, eager to enter into the world of new faces from across the globe, learning, and abundance of joy and fun. The day started with an introduction, camp song, and loud cheers. I was assigned first through sixth grade students, and I had no idea how my class was going to go.

Asiya, a camp volunteer who was going to teach poetry, yoga and meditation suggested that maybe we could collaborate in our classes together. And I have to say, it was a moment-to-moment kind of experience that added excitement and thrill. If you had asked me what my ultimate plan was, it was to figure out my own class, but the collaboration worked out beautifully, reminding me that everything is “figure-outable.”

Dance, poetry writing/reading/journal making; the kids loved every bit of it. One of my precious memories has to be a hand-written poem from a young boy. It was a moment of gratitude and pride that there were kids who loved writing as much as I did. It felt like the language of emotions unfolded like the petals of a Himalayan rhododendron during each class I gave. The students eagerly embraced the opportunity to weave their narratives into verses.

Two things I love the most: dancing and writing. I got a platform where I could not only learn but also teach – there were many moments of appreciation. The kids would come up to me, hug me, cling to me, and give me their biggest smiles that chased away all of my worries and tiredness.

The dance and poetry have not merely been taught; they have been shared, experienced, and lived. In the heart of Kopila Valley School, I discovered that the true essence of teaching was not just imparting knowledge but igniting a flame that would illuminate the path of self-discovery and artistic expression for generations to come.

The camp calls me out, time and again and again. And I will always pick up the call, for I have known nothing but Dashain Camp when it comes to celebrating Dashain, one of Nepal’s biggest festivals – and I love it!!

– Anjali Karki
Graduate, Kopila Valley School

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