Expressing Heartfelt Appreciation to Our Community
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It brings us immense happiness to reflect on the success of our Early Fall Youth Retreat: Outdoor Discoveries & Nature Cooking. Although light showers fell throughout the day, the energy of the group remained vibrant, filling the Giac Tam Zen Center with meaningful connections and the joy of collective learning.
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We were incredibly lucky to host 20 enthusiastic children and 6 selfless parent volunteers who collectively brought this vision to life.
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🌿 Nature Discovery Highlights
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Despite the misty weather, our young participants embraced the outdoors between rain showers to connect deeply with the natural world:

__Artful Scavenger Hunts: The children combed the grounds to find unique natural elements, observing diverse colors and textures to assemble beautiful nature mandalas.
__Garden Harvesting: Alongside our volunteers, the youth gathered fresh vegetables and gourds directly from the monastery’s soil to use in our meal preparation.
__Open-Fire Culinary Skills: This was a standout favorite. Working in collaborative teams, the children prepared and simmered wholesome noodle soup over traditional wood fires, savoring every bit of the meal they helped create.

 
🍲 Nourishing the Body and Community
 
In addition to the handmade soup, the group enjoyed a wonderful spread prepared with love by Sister Thien Chan and Grandma Diem. Highlights included:

Grandma Diem’s Sushi: Expertly crafted vegetarian rolls enjoyed by all.
Homestyle Tofu & Greens: A warm, comforting dish from Sister Thien Chan’s kitchen.
Seasonal Treats: We concluded with Lunar Moon Festival mungbean cakes and dandelion tea, which was harvested by the nuns earlier this summer.

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💛 Turning Moments into Lessons of Compassion
 
One of the retreat's most profound lessons occurred naturally during an indoor session.
 
A small group of children encountered a conflict over some toys. As often happens in childhood, emotions ran high and perspectives clashed. We used this friction not as a problem to be hushed, but as a living laboratory for the mindfulness we seek to instill.
 
Rather than imposing a solution, we invited the children to pause and observe their internal landscape. We encouraged them to identify feelings of frustration, exclusion, or anger, helping them understand that emotions are neutral occurrences.
 
This incident served as a powerful reminder that mindfulness isn't just for quiet meditation—it is most vital when our hearts are heavy. It is the ability to stop, breathe, and choose kindness in the heat of a disagreement.
 
At Giac Tam, we believe children don't need to be perfect to practice these values. They simply need a safe space and compassionate guidance to navigate real-life challenges with growing wisdom.
 
🌱 Themes of Mindful Awareness
 
Understanding Interdependence: Through our shared tasks, the children explored the Buddhist concept of interconnectedness. We discussed how a simple garden gourd or a package of noodles requires a vast web of support: sun, water, soil, transport, and laborers. Nothing exists in isolation.
 
The Gift of the Clay Stoves: The group developed a deep appreciation for the clay stoves Sister Thien Chan hand-built for them. It took a full week of labor—extracting clay from the pond and shaping it by hand—to create these functional pieces of art. The stoves became symbols of patience and heritage, carrying the tradition of her own mother and grandmother into the present moment.
 
🌧️ Presence Through the Rain:

 

The mist and dampness weren't obstacles; they were teachers. The children learned that mindfulness flourishes even when conditions aren't ideal. By adjusting our plans and exploring the wet garden with curiosity, we practiced resilience. We hope these seeds of awareness and joy continue to grow within them long after the retreat ends.
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🌸 Schedule Update: Winter Pause and Spring Return
 
As our final youth event of the season, Giac Tam Zen Center will pause regular children's programming for the winter months. We look forward to reinvigorating our community programs next Spring and welcoming back familiar and new faces alike.
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🌟 Specialized Winter Mentorship
 
During the break, Sister Pearl is offering one-on-one mindfulness sessions for youth. These personalized meetings provide a supportive environment for children to explore emotional regulation, healthy communication, and self-awareness through age-appropriate activities.
Interested parents can find detailed information on the Mentorship page of the GTMC website.

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💛 A Note of Sincere Thanks

 

To the parents: Thank you for entrusting us and sharing your children with us.
To the volunteers and sponsors: Your generosity remains the foundation of our work.
To the children: Thank you for your laughter, your questions, and your unique spirits.

 

At Giac Tam, we find practice in every detail. The clay teaches connection, the rain teaches presence, and the community teaches love. Together, we are building a refuge of peace and understanding.

 

With peace and gratitude,
Giac Tam Zen Center

 
*We would love to hear your child's favorite memory from the retreat. Please share your thoughts with us.