From June 29th to July 1st, Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto hosted the 2024 Three Acts of Goodness Children's Summer Camp, welcoming 24 children aged 7 to 12. Venerable Chueh Fan, Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto, led the monastic community, joined by Mabel Lam, President of the BLIA Toronto Chapter, Deputy Youth Leader Stacey Tran, and executives from the BLIA Youth Adult Division (YAD), along with over 70 participants including children, parents, and guardians.

The opening ceremony featured Venerable Chueh Fan encouraging the children to embrace learning joyfully and embody the spirit of the Three Acts of Goodness. She hoped they would take home the virtues learned during the activities. Despite it being the Canada Day long weekend, the children arrived early and excited for registration. Guided by youth leaders, they began with ice-breaking games before proceeding to the Main Shrine for the opening ceremony. There, they respectfully gathered, sang the Ode to Triple Gem, paid homage to Buddha, and reflected on the teachings of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the Founding Master of Fo Guang Shan.

In her address,Venerable Chueh Fan expressed her hope that the three-day camp would ignite a journey of joyful learning for the children, encouraging them to practice the Three Acts of Goodness in their daily lives. She also extended her gratitude to her parents for their trust and support. President Mabel Lam introduced the camp's unique features, emphasizing life education and the essence of Humanistic Buddhism. Stacey Tran appreciated the opportunities given to youth, enabling them to learn through practical experiences and forge meaningful friendships.

Following the speeches, the Abbess presented the Deputy Sash to Youth Adult Division member Amy Lin, symbolizing her role in overseeing camp activities. Amy then briefed everyone on event guidelines, demonstrating respectful greetings, paying homage toBuddha, and explaining Buddhist terms.

The second day's program included a review of insights from educational videos and the outdoor musicevent "Sound of Chan, Joy of Dharma." Children participated in dance sessions and interactive games, learning to express gratitude to their families, speak kindly to others, and appreciate positive actions. VenerableChueh Fan emphasized the importance of gratitude before meals and a meditative concentration session guided by Venerable Zhi Guan, offering children a raremoment of tranquillity.

On the third day, coinciding with Canada Day, children joined the morning "Canada DayPrayers and Meditation," uniting with members of Fo Guang Shan and thecommunity in prayers for the nation's well-being and global peace. In her speech, Abbess Chueh Fan stressed that the prayer extended beyond Canada to encompass personal peace and harmony for all. She highlighted the meaningful participation of young Bodhisattvas from the camp, wishing them to retain the lessons learned and carry the Three Acts of Goodness spirit forward in their lives.

During the closing ceremony, children shared their camp experiences, emphasizing teamwork, caringfor others, and personal growth through learning from mistakes. Under the leadership of YAD President Joyce Linh, they performed the "Three Acts ofGoodness" dance, concluding the successful three-day camp. Parents expressed their gratitude for the joy and friendships their children experienced during the camp. They thanked the Monastics for their guidance and the youth for their dedication and care, eagerly anticipating participation in future camps. They hoped the seeds of wisdom planted during this camp would grow into a deeper understanding of the Three Acts of Goodness principles and foster a strong foundation of Buddhist values in their children's lives.