Chinmayam Bala Vihar

CMWRC’s Chinmayam chapter at Silver Spring MD offers three identical Bala Vihar sessions. While registering, please provide your first and second choice of session preferences. If your first choice session is full, you are offered your second choice session.   

 Admission and Session Assignment:

Chinmaya Mission reserves the right to accept or reject admission and session assignment requests. We recommend early registration to secure admission.

Chinmayam Bala Vihar program at Silver Spring, Maryland

NOTE : Please Save your entries after each step.

STEP 1- Option Selection

OPTION I – ARPANAM NEW!!

All Arpanam Pledge levels have the benefit of complimentary CMWRC membership with Bala Vihar and adult classes for entire Family, and complimentary BalVihar and Mananam magazines. Many more benefits like complimentary tickets to CMWRC ticketed events are available for higher levels of annual pledges. Please see details here.

OPTION II - Regular Membership

STEP 2- LOG IN

1. Returning Members
   • If you registered for the current enrolling year Bala Vihar session, the same user ID and password should be used.
   • If you have forgotten your User ID and/or your Password, or you want to reset your password, click the appropriate link at the bottom of the Login screen.
   • If you have not logged in during previous year's Bala Vihar session, use the same user ID, but the password needs to be reset.
2. New Members - Create a new login ID by clicking the button on the login page and follow the instructions on the next screen

STEP 3 - ENTER Family profile

• Returning Members - Ensure your family information, including all adults and children, is current in the system.

• New Members - Create a family record for each family member including all adults and children.

STEP 4- REGISTER

• Select your Session preferences in the Family Session Preference section.

• Ensure grades (as of September of current enrolling year) of the children are entered accurately.

• Select the program to be registered for each family member from the drop down menus.

• Review your selections.

STEP 5 – PAYMENT

Payment should be made using one of the following online payment methods:

• Electronic check (ACH) with the Mission bearing the cost of the transaction fee.

• Credit card with the registrant bearing the transaction fee assessed by the third-party vendor (currently 2% but may be subject to change).

• Enter all the required fields and click the Accept

• An automated email will be generated to confirm your payment authorization from the secured payment site. This is not a confirmation of admission.

• The date of submission of your online payment will be considered as the date of registration. Admissions will be confirmed by early August of the enrolling year.

** We encourage you to pay by electronic check to avoid 2% additional charges. Please note that the additional charges will not go toward Chinmaya mission funds. **

Should you have any questions, please contact our membership team by sending email Email Registration Team

 If you have any questions, please email registration team at registration@chinmayam.org.

Objectives

Our mission is to provide individuals from any background the wisdom of Vedanta and the practical means for spiritual growth and happiness, enabling them to become positive contributors to society. In the weekly Bala Vihar classes, through absorbing stories, games, plays, and songs, children are provided a Vedantic education during their formative school years, emphasizing spirituality and values.  

Eligibility

Every family, whether with children or without, whether an existing member or a new applicant for membership, is required to register using the Online Registration System. A child may not be enrolled without his/her parent’s enrollment and participation in the Adult Classes. Please note that at least one parent is required to attend the Adult Class while the children are in Bala Vihar. Children CANNOT be left at the Mission premises without a parent.

Age Requirement for Bala Vihar Children

To participate in the  Bala Vihar program, students should be entering grades Pre-K to 12. Pre-K students should be toilet trained and at least three years old as of September 1, enrolling year.

Refund Policy

For cancellations of registrations on or before September 30, full refund of the pledge amount will be given. The Mission will not refund any credit card processing fee incurred by the registrant. A family canceling membership after September 30 will not be entitled to any refund of the pledges paid. For late registrants after September 30, they will have 15 days from the date of registration for cancellation with 50% refund. Thereafter, no refund will be made.

Privacy Policy

The family's contact information provided to the Mission will be used only for internal purposes. If any of this information is to be used in flyers, websites or other publicity material, we will do so only with your permission.

From time to time, for publicity purposes, CMWRC will publish photos of members taken at different Mission sessions or events, without identifying the members. If we have to identify the members, we will do so only with your prior permission.

Registration

Please register early to increase the likelihood of being assigned to your first-choice session. Admission and session assignment will be confirmed to you by early August.          

Performing Arts and Language

Only children enrolled in Bala Vihar are eligible to enroll in Performing Arts and Language classes. Students must be at least 6 years of age as of September of the current enrolling year. Registered adult members can enroll in select Performing Arts classes subject to availability of seats after admitting children. Non-members can enroll in select Language and Performing Arts classes. For more information on Language and Performing Arts classes please visit our website http://cmwrc.chinmayadc.org

Seva

Sevaks (volunteers) are critical to the operation of the chapter and programs.  Chinmaya Mission is a volunteer run organization. Every member is highly encouraged to serve the mission in their area of interests, based on their skills and expertise.  Selfless dedicated service is the foundation for spiritual growth.  Any amount of time and commitment offered in seva is welcome.

Correspondence

When registering, please ensure that you provide a current and accurate e-mail address. Please inform us promptly if there is any change to your contact e-mail or home address. Most communications between CMWRC and its members, including weather- related cancellations, are handled via e-mail.       

Should you have any questions, please contact our membership team by sending email Email Registration Team

OPTION I – ARPANAM NEW!!
All Arpanam Pledge levels have the benefit of complimentary CMWRC membership with Bala Vihar and adult classes for entire family, and complimentary BalVihar and Mananam magazines. Many more benefits like complimentary tickets to CMWRC ticketed events are available for higher levels of annual pledges. Please see details
here.

OPTION 2 – Regular Membership

1. The Bala Vihar Program at Chinmaya Mission, 46 Norwood Road, Silver Spring, MD, 20905, starts promptly.  All families are expected to arrive 10 minutes before start of the session.
2. Respect for self is respect for others.  Children should be attentive and respectful in class and raise their hands and wait their turn before speaking.
3. Absence from class for any reason must be notified to the respective teacher before the class. In case of sickness or an emergency, please notify as soon as possible. Teachers contact information is given to the students in their first class.
4. Children should come prepared with their Bala Vihar notebook, books, pencil, and box of crayons or colored pens (for younger children).
5. Children are expected to maintain good manners and discipline at all times.  Running in the building is not allowed.  Disturbing any of the books or materials in the classroom is not permitted.
6. Gum chewing, drinks, or food are not allowed in the classrooms.
7. Cell Phones are not permitted in the classrooms.
8. Dress Code: All parents are expected to be in Indian attire, No Hats, Jeans or Shorts are permitted. In Winter, we recommend children to wear sweaters and socks.
   • Boys: Kurta Pajama or full pants with kurta.  No hats, jeans, or shorts.
   •  Girls: Salwar Kameez or long skirt with blouse. Wear a bindi. (Children or youth who are attending some other activity after Bala Vihar may bring a change of clothes with them.)

    

1. With the grace of Bhagavan and Sri Gurudev, Bala Vihar instills in children an appreciation of the play of the Divine in our lives.  Children will learn how Hindus have worshipped over the ages to become confident and fulfilled in life.  The rich cultural heritage of India, including its teachings on moral values, is taught to children and youth at different levels, using the medium of stories, drama, arts and crafts, and discussion.  The volunteer parent-teachers are trained and dedicated to teach India’s rich spiritual heritage to our next generation.
2. It is mandatory that at least one parent (if not both) attends the concurrent Adult Class on Bhagavad Gita while the children’s classes are in session.
3. To ensure quality of teaching, our class sizes are limited. Requests beyond capacity for admissions and session assignments will be placed on a waiting list.  Priority is given to families and children committed to learning as the registration team strives to clear the waiting list.  Child or parent absenteeism  or pattern of poor behavior by a child are considered as signs of tepid interest in learning what the mission has to offer.
4. Once or twice a year the teachers will hold a parent/teacher conference during Common Time.   The teachers will update parents as to the class progress and topics covered.  This will hopefully facilitate more parental involvement with the child’s learning. Outside of the conference, parents are NOT permitted in class unless pre-arranged with the Teacher as well as the Bala Vihar Coordinator/Director. NON-Parents are NOT permitted in class under any circumstances. Our children learn best in interacting with other children and the teachers. BV Coordinators/Director routinely attend classes to evaluate curriculum.
5. In order to maintain continuity in learning it is important to bring your children regularly and on time to all Bala Vihar classes and ensure that they are not absent from class for reasons other than sickness or an infrequent trip out of town.
6. Please notify the respective teacher before the class if your child is going to be absent for either of the above reasons. In case of sudden illness or emergency, please notify the teacher as soon as possible.
7. All children should be well rested and have a nourishing breakfast before attending Bala Vihar.  This makes learning easier.
8. Please make sure children come prepared with their Bala Vihar notebook, My Prayers book, any other books in their syllabus, pencil, and crayons (for younger children) or colored pens.
9. During Mission programs other than Bala Vihar (monthly Bhajan-nights, etc.), parents are responsible for their children’s behavior. Please help them respect the sanctity of Chinmayam by maintaining quiet during these programs, not allowing them to run in the building, keeping trash in trash cans, putting games away, etc.
10. Please try to help children at home with the practice and memorizing of Stotrams and Prayers they are learning in class. (Audio tapes are available in the Bookstore for most players, if needed.)
11. Feel free to discuss your child’s progress or needs, or any concerns or questions you may have, with the teacher or Bala Vihar Coordinator whenever you wish.  We value parental involvement and input.
12. Each classroom needs at least two parent-volunteers for helping to organize occasional field trips, socials, or other special activities. Please let the classroom teacher know if you would like to volunteer.
13. Chinmaya Mission will use an e-mail group to convey information about schedule changes, other programs, or snow dates.  Please inform us if your e-mail address changes.