History
How we came to be
Formally established in August of 2005, Vraj Youth Committee has become a home to Vraj Youth far and wide. From its early conception, VYC has overcome the initial obstacles and proved itself as a permanent and vital part of the Vraj Family.
VYC has grown from 8 campers to over 550, and the numbers keep rising every year. We strive to promote and protect our culture by devoting our time and volunteer efforts at Vraj events; With a large network of alumni, we manage and execute various gatherings and programs to unite and encourage Hindu youth in America.
Every year, we see newer generations of Vraj Youth, some of whom are grandchildren of the pioneers of Vraj. As our organization flourishes, we are constantly looking for more active and interested youth to help us accomplish our goals. Have a look around our new website and meet the friendly faces of VYC. Follow us on Social Media @vrajyouth to follow our journey!
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Mission
The Vraj Youth Committee is dedicated to preserving and nurturing the intellectual, spiritual and cultural development of Hindu youth by encouraging service to our community and broadening knowledge of our Indian heritage.
Vraj Youth Executive Board
The Vraj Youth Executive Board works hard all year long to make sure Camp and all of our events run smoothly every year. Below are the various committee’s which help make this possible.
Chair
Uloopi Patel, our Chairperson, who has helped Vraj Youth grow and flourish. With her dedication to Vraj and its future, the Vraj team and community have the support they need in the on-going success of Vraj.
Vice Chair
Brinda Bhatt, our Vice Chair, who leads alongside our Chairperson. She has helped Vraj Youth grow and has helped foster many of the relationships Vraj has today. Her dedication to the Youth and the Vraj community will help push Vraj to new heights.
Vraj Youth President
Chintan Shah is our new President of Vraj Youth. Chintan grew up with Vraj camp. He started as a camper, continued as a counselor, and then eventually became a part of the Vraj Youth Committee in expanding our Community Outreach. He has represented Vraj throughout his entire life, and under his leadership Vraj Youth looks to keep expanding.
VP of Counselor Committee
Shivm Shah, our new Vice President of Counselor Committee, who himself has risen through the ranks of Vraj Youth, will lead our new Counselor Committee to develop the rigorous process from which our fantastic counselors are chosen!
VP of Community Events
Siddhi Shah, our new Vice President of Community Events, who has already helped usher in many of the community outreach events Vraj Youth has today. She will lead our new Outreach Events and Fundraising teams on creating, and expanding new and exciting events Vraj Youth plans to hold throughout the year, many that are very influential in our outreach and support of the local communities surrounding Vraj.
VP of Youth Events
Vishal Patel is our new Vice President of Youth Events, and will lead in creating and expanding the various Youth Events we hold throughout the year. This includes our annual Summer & Winter Retreats, the various Seva Days we hold throughout the year, our Vraj Youth Scholarship, and Youth Volunteer Coordination to let counselors of past & present come together outside of Camp to reconnect and give back to the community.
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Vraj Youth Committees
The Vraj Youth Committees work hard all year long to put on a lot of the Vraj Youth events, as well as helping Camp operations. Below are the various committee’s and their members, who help make this possible.
Camp Counselor Committee
All of the fantastic counselors who come and participate at camp each and every year have to go through a rigorous process and only the best of the best are chosen by our Counselor Committee!
VP: Shivm Shah
Members: Aesha Doshi, Aman Patel, Henal Shah, Ria Patel, & Marlie Patel
Youth Alumni: Milan Patel
Outreach Events Committee
Our Outreach Events Committee keeps us updated on the new and exciting events Vraj Youth holds throughout the year, which help us give back to our surrounding communities.
VP: Siddhi Shah
Co-Leads: Aashka Shah & Prachi Shah
Members: Aneri Parekh, Rucha Shah, & Vrusha Shah
Adult Advisor: TBD
Fundraising Committee
Our Fundraising Committee keeps us updated on the new and exciting events Vraj Youth holds throughout the year, which help us give back to our surrounding communities.
VP: Siddhi Shah
Lead: Setu Shah
Members: Khushi Faldu, Mahi Ganatra, Bhairav Mehta, & Hirali Patel
Retreats
Our annual Summer & Winter Retreats let counselors of past & present come together outside of Camp to reconnect with old friends, create new friendships, and maybe learn something new. Without our Retreat committee this wouldn't be possible!
VP: Vishal Patel
Lead: Ria Patel
Members: Dhvani Shah
Youth Alumni: Prachi Patel
Adult Advisors: Hemant Patel, Manisha Patel
Scholarship
Our Vraj Youth Scholarship honors and encourages well-rounded youth in their educational endeavors. The Scholarship Committee handles everything that goes into making sure kids have the best opportunity to succeed.
VP: Vishal Patel
Lead: Jharna Mehta-Jassal
Members: Viny Panchal
Adult Advisors: Brinda Bhatt, Uloopi Patel
Youth Volunteer Coordination Committee
Our Youth Volunteer Coordination Committee makes sure that our events are filled with energetic and responsible youth volunteers for Seva Day, camp transition teams, as well as temple activities and events.
VP: Vishal Patel
Lead: Shivum Bhuta
Members: Pooja Shah
Adult Advisors: Uloopi Patel
Seva Day
Our various Seva Day's throughout the year let the youth come together outside of Camp to give back to Vraj through various forms of Seva. Whether it's cleaning up the grounds, or planting trees, we want to be able to give back to the place that has given us so much more.
VP: Vishal Patel
Lead: Shivum Bhuta
Adult Advisors: Rakesh Patel
Public Relations
Our Public Relations Committee keeps us updated on all things Vraj throughout the year!
Youth President: Chintan Shah
Lead: Rajvi Shah
Members: Dhruvi Shah, Ravi Shah
Adult Advisor: Karen Patel
Merchandising Committee
Our brand new Merchandising Committee will be creating brand new swag that will be available to buy on our website! Everything from retro camp shirts to Vraj Youth mugs, and everything in between!
VP: Neal Kotak
Co-Leads: Shama Antala, & Rutvik Parikh
Members: Juhi Patel, Nisarg Shah, & Anjali Sheth
Technology
Our Technology Committee are the folks who handle everything that goes on behind the scenes from making sure our website is up to date, making sure Camp registration goes off without a hitch, and making sure everyone at Camp has the resources they need!
VP: Neal Kotak
Members: Harshil Trivedi, Shalin Sukhia, Krishan Shah, Nand Sheth, & Ajeet Choxi
Youth Advisors: Raj Shah
Adult Advisor: Manoj Parikh
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Camp Committees
The Vraj Camp Committees are the brains behind the magic when it comes to making sure Campers, Counselors, & Volunteers have all the necessities available to have a great camp season. They help support the Vraj Youth Committee by making sure a lasting legacy can be left for future Vraj Youth members. Below are the various committee’s which help make this possible.
Adult Retreat
You can never outgrow Vraj Camp! Come and spend an exciting week at Vraj, filled with activities geared towards campers 35 and older.
Lead: Kamini Desai-Carroll, Mallika Patel
Facilities
The facilities committee makes sure that our campers, counselors, and volunteers are comfortable during their week at camp.
Lead: Upendra Chayya
Curriculum
Our Vraj, Gujarati, and Culture Classes are fundamental to our camp. The curriculum committee works all year round to bring new and exciting ideas to the classroom.
Lead: Kalpana Jhaveri
Members: Shilpa Bhuta, Darshna Chauhan, Kashmira Malkan, Jignya Mehta, Kirti Parikh, Karen Patel, Manisha Patel, Nita Shah, Bijal Shah, & Dipti Yadav
Youth Member: Mahi Ganatra
Volunteer Coordination
Volunteer Committee searches high and low to find the best volunteers. Parents, reach out to the Volunteer Committee and sign up today!
Lead: Bina Rathod
Kitchen
You are never hungry at Vraj! The Kitchen Committee works all year around to test recipes to ensure that our campers get the tastiest food.
Lead: Suhas Sheth
Members: Mahendra Patel & Rupal Shah
Youth Member: Dimple Gandhi
Vendor Management
The Vendor Management Team makes sure that all the supplies are on hand to make our camps run smoothly. They are vital to building relationships with the local community.
Lead: Saurabh Mavani
Afternoon Activities
Summer afternoons are meant for building memories. The Afternoon Activities Committee brings creative ideas that facilitate camper, counselor, and volunteer bonding.
Lead: Asha Sanghvi
Members: Kashmira Malkan, Purvi Parekh, & Mansi Shah
Youth Advisor: Shivum Bhuta
First Aid Committee
Injuries and illnesses should not take away from the camper's experience at camp. The First Aid Committee ensures that the First Aid Cabin is fully stocked with necessary supplies for each camp week. They review camper medical information and make certain Counselors and Camp Directors are aware of the camper's health history.
Members: Kunal Shah, Rina Shah-Kapoor, Shashin Shah, & Purvi Parekh
VYC Adult Committee Alumni
Hemant Patel
Kamini Desai-Carroll
Mahendra Shah
Mallika Patel
Manisha Patel
Mayank Mehta