- South Asian Camp
Camp Desi Roots
PLAN YOUR SUMMER
Join the Camp Desi Roots Family!
CAMP Values
Our stories are our power
We deepen our understanding of ourselves, our ancestral histor(ies), and each other through storytelling.
We belong here
We are a community of deeply rooted love and belonging. We see and accept each other for who we are.
Our voices matter
Our stories are ours to be told. We tell our own stories, in our own voices, and we do so unapologetically.
LIFE AT CAMP
CAMP Activities
Poetry Workshops
storytelling workshops
Family Oral History Projects
Kid-led Sessions
Art & Cultural History workshops
Dance workshops
Theatre & improvisation
Yoga & meditation
Organizing workshop with Sravya Tadepalli from Hindus for Human Rights and Safa Ahmed from the Indian American Muslim Council
Social movements workshop with Deepa Iyer
Changemaking workshop with Amna Akhtar and Kiran Kaur, founders of GirlDreamer
Food as cultural memory with founder of Doosra, Kartik Das
Desi Mela
Desi Olympics
Camp Desi Roots’ Got Talent
Camp Desi Roots Dance Party
Archery
Fishing
Lake adventure
climbing
Words From Parents & Campers
Testimonials
Arjun Patel
Kai
Vihaan
Anya
Vrinda
Kiran Kaur & Amna Akhtar
Dive into the world of Camp Desi Roots
Meet our Founders
Prerna Srivastava
(Magical Mumma, former teacher, principal, and lifelong educator pursuing my EdLD at Harvard)
Prerna, mother of the 3 beautiful Zs and proud daughter of immigrants, Shila and Sanjaya Srivastava, was born in her grandfather’s clinic in Patna, Bihar. Her commitment to service and social justice comes from her Nana, who served poor patients in Patna and named her Prerna, or “inspiration” in Hindi. Prerna is a lifelong learner and dedicated educator - she is currently a doctorate student at Harvard, where she is pursuing her EdLD, prior to which she was an elementary school principal coach, K-8 principal, and high school science teacher in NYC, Philly, and Camden public schools.
Anoop Raman
(Family Doctor, Chief Medical Officer, and Ayya Extraordinare )
Anoop is the son of immigrants and father of 3 beautiful children, collectively known as ZuZaZe. His parents, Hindu and Catholic from Bangalore and Kerala, fell in love and eloped to Queens, NY, where he was born. He is a family doctor and physician leader who specializes in caring for populations with complex medical and social needs. Since joining AbsoluteCare as Chief Medical Officer, he has helped lead the growth of the care model as it serves the holistic needs of thousands of vulnerable individuals in each of the communities they serve. Additionally, Anoop is a member of the faculty at Columbia University’s School of Public Health, teaching courses on global health, in particular, teaching courses on how to put public health principles into everyday practice to serve high needs populations.
THE CAMP EXPERIENCE
We’re a revolution cloaked in joy
To see something like this, a Desi summer camp, in the heart of America, felt like witnessing a revolution cloaked in joy.
Because so many of us grew up without this.
Without spaces to explore our roots.
Without mentors who looked like us.
Without the language or the room to ask: Who am I, really?
What Prerna has created isn’t just a camp. It’s a movement.
A cultural homecoming for young South Asians living far from ancestral lands, but growing deeply into themselves.
Amna Akhtar, co-founder of GirlDreamer
Support the Camp Desi Roots Scholarship Fund
We believe deeply that our camp should be reflective of the beautiful depth and diversity of our South Asian diaspora – regardless of country of origin, religion, class, caste, or any other marker. A kid whose family wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford overnight camp belongs at Camp Desi Roots. This is why the Camp Desi Roots Scholarship Fund exists – if you can, please help us spread the magic.
MOMENTS FROM CAMP
CAMP GALLERY
Become Part of the Circle
Our counselors are the heart of camp, helping create a welcoming space where kids feel seen, supported, and connected. If you love working with South Asian youth, we’d love to hear from you.