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Day 1 Agenda
| Time | Main Session | Parallel SSE track |
| 8:30 AM | Veda Chanting | Combined with Main Session |
| 8:50 AM | Opening Prayer & Morning Unisons | |
| 9:15 AM | Welcome & Opening Note | |
| 9:30 AM | Keynote Speaker Session: Brother Leonardo Gutter | SSE session 1: Be the Light – Let It Shine G1+G2: Spring Hall G3+G4: South room – Sanctuary Building |
| 11:00 AM | Stretch & Refreshment Break | |
| 11:20 AM | Spreading Your Wings: Reflective Panel | SSE Lunch |
| 12:10 PM | Transition & Lunch Instructions | |
| 12:15 PM | Lunch | 12:30 PM SSE special session with Guest Speaker |
| 1:45 PM | Interactive Workshop (Breakout Sessions). See below for more details. |
SSE Session 2: Spread your wings – Empower with superpower G1+G2: South room – Sanctuary Building G3+G4: Join SSE-parent workshop in Spring Hall |
| 3:15 PM | Transition Break | |
| 3:30 PM | Speaker Q&A / Fireside Conversation | Combined with Main Session |
| 4:15 PM | Vote of Thanks & Closing Reflection | |
| 4:30 PM | Closing Devotional Program | |
| 5:30 PM | Group Photo and to-go dinner |
Day 1 - Workshops
We lovingly invite you to participate in interactive workshops that will help us explore and dive deeper into different aspects of the retreat theme.
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Workshop 1 — Rise with SSE: Supercharging College Applications
- Discover how SSE is one of the most powerful ways to stand out in college essays and applications. This workshop is most suited for rising 8th graders and high school students and their parents.
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Workshop 2 — The Light We Share: Living and Sharing the Message
- Discover how each of us can live and share Swami's message in our communities.
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Workshop 3 — The Light Within: Realizing Our True Nature
- Explore Swami's teachings on meditation, contemplation, and mindfulness.
Day 2 Agenda
| Time | Experience |
| 10:00 AM | Welcome & Songs of Unity Opening songs to create a joyful, welcoming atmosphere |
| 10:15 AM | Circle of Humanity Participants form concentric circles, holding hands (optional) while singing together and offering thoughts of peace, love, and positivity to the world |
| 10:45 AM | Explore the Festival • Human Values Treasure Hunt • Community Values Mural – an ongoing collaborative artwork celebrating the five human values |
| 11:00 AM | Lakeside Guided Meditation A few moments of quiet reflection, connecting with nature and the light within |
| 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM (Parallel) | Create & Reflect & Connect Choose from a variety of mindful, hands-on experiences: • Nature Collage – a collaborative artwork for inner and outer peace using handpicked natural materials • Natural Wind Chimes – creating beautiful keepsakes from natural materials • Mindful Kolam – creating traditional textured powder art as a meditation in action • Values Exchange – sharing handwritten value cards and messages of encouragement |
| 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM (Parallel) | Play & Learn & Give • Life-Size Human Values Games & Puzzles • Giving Tank – share inspiring ideas that make our communities kinder, healthier, and more sustainable • Values in Action – cooperative sports, challenges, and relay races |
| 12:30 PM | Community Photo |
| 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Shared Lunch & Closing Circle Reflections, gratitude, and an invitation to carry the light of the human values into our families and communities. |