What Is BalGokul?
BalGokul is a place for children to come together, learn practice Hindu culture and heritage, understand Bharat (India) and make good friends with similar interest and background.
Gokul is the place where Lord Krishna spent his childhood days. Gokul is the place where talents, mischiefs, strength and also the divinity of Krishna blossomed. People realized that he was not an ordinary boy, but an incarnation of God. "Bal" means Child. Bal Gokul is the place for the children to enjoy together and also discover their potential and blossom to the fullest extent.
Durga Temple Parents and Volunteers run BalGokul for our children.
Vision
To ignite, foster, revere and preserve ancient Sanatan (Hindu) Dharma, Culture,
Values and Way of Life amongst children.
Mission
To provide a fun, social and educational environment that enables children to acquire a healthy understanding, and subsequently a pride and reverence for their ancient Sanatan religion, culture, and a core value system so that the children are inspired to apply them into their daily life, exchange thoughts and ideas with peers, develop a confident self-identity, and sense of belongingness to the community.
DBG Overview
- Total Duration: 9 months, September 2022 – June 2023
- Weekly Location: Durga Temple Lower level classrooms
- Weekly Timing: Sundays 10:00 AM – 12:15 PM (9:30 am arrival for Optional Games and Surya Namaskar)
- No DBG on Federal holidays
- No DBG the day after Holi and Dussehra cultural program evening
Classroom Groupings
| Classroom |
Age |
Grade guidelines |
| Prithvi |
4 - 6 yrs. |
Pre-k - K |
| Jal |
6 - 8 yrs. |
1, 2 |
| Vayu |
8 - 10 yrs. |
3, 4 |
| Agni |
10 - 12 yrs. |
5, 6 |
BalGokulum Calendar 2022 - 2023.
DBG Weekly Recurring Activities
- Bhajans
- Religious Class
- Language (Hindi)
- Once every quarter – Arts & Crafts and Games
- Children get DBG library membership as part of the program where they can check out 250+ Amar Chitra Katha books on various Hindu religious and historical characters
Religious Class and Bhajan Curriculum Goals
- Facilitate children to appreciate, learn, and practice Hindu Dharma, Values and
Way of life
- Instill pride and confidence in Hindu children about their identity
- Understand our Hindu way of life by exposure to aspects such as prayers, bhajans
and stories
- Reinforce concepts children through participation in cultural activities, role plays,
skits, Q/A sessions, quizzes and class discussions
- Develop students’ leadership skills and sense of community by having them volunteer during events to do setup, help in temple activities, and help in general DBG activities
DBG Staff and Volunteers
- All DBG classes and activities are staffed with either Fixed or Rotating volunteer
resources
- All Activities have a Primary and a Secondary staff
- Rotating Activities are opportunities for Parents’ Volunteering to assist with:
- Arts and Crafts
- Games
- Children Seva
- Logistical Support (technical, chairs / event setup, bhajans/classes prep, etc.)
DBG Participation in Temple Cultural Activities and Other Events
- Bhajans/Shlokas recitals
- Dusshera and Holi Mela parent volunteer driven cultural performances
- Participation in other events such as Shivaratri, Ramnavami, Janmashtami
- Games/Sports Day
- Annual Day in June
DBG Fees and Charges
Durga Temple - No charge
- Books - $10 per book
- $80.00 – first child
- $60.00 – second child (sibling)
- $50.00 – third child (sibling)
Governance and Administration
- To Contact DBG Sponsor Kusum Taneja:Click here.
- To Contact DBG Coordinator Madhuri Prasad:Click here
- For Questions Contact: dtbg.communications@gmail.com