A camp where our roots become our superpower.
Camp Desi Roots is a transformative summer program that empowers South Asian youth to connect with themselves, each other, and nature and root themselves in their stories and power.
Ridge Trail Summit • 2024
WHY CAMP DESI ROOTS?
We create intentional space for young people to know where they come from.
Our camps help kids explore identity, family history, culture, and belonging through storytelling, outdoor adventure, and meaningful connection.
ROOTS
Build awareness and pride in immigrant roots.
BELONGING
Create a community where every child belongs and every voice matters.
CONNECTION
Pair outdoor fun with reflection, storytelling, and deep relationships.
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT
A South Asian space that leaves room for every story.
BOTANY & HERBS
More than an activity camp.
We thoughtfully curate readings and curricula that inspire and challenge campers to think about who they are and where they come from. Campers also get time to swim, hike, climb, make, play, and simply be together.
We intentionally welcome youth who trace their roots to Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka across faiths and family histories. The goal is not to teach one “correct” culture, but to create space for young people to reflect on identity and feel empowered by it.
INCLUSIVE
EDUCATIONAL
CULTURALLY ROOTED
ACCESSIBLE
BOTANY & HERBS
CAMP SHOULD BE FOR EVERY FAMILY.
Camp Desi Roots is designed to welcome families across the socio-economic spectrum, with scholarships and sliding-scale support.
BOTANY & HERBS
THE CAMP EXPERIENCE
A week built around meaningful moments.
| 01 | ARRIVE | Settle in, meet your people, and find your place. |
| 02 | EXPLORE | Outdoor adventure, cultural workshops, and play. |
| 03 | REFLECT | Identity immersion, family stories, and mindfulness. |
| 04 | SHARE | Bring your story to the stage and celebrate together. |
Our Guiding Heritage
Our People
Prerna Srivastava
Founder & Executive Director, former Philly Elementary Principal, Harvard doctoral candidate
Prerna, mother of the 3 beautiful Zs
Prerna, mother of the 3 beautiful Zs, proud daughter of immigrants, was born in Patna, Bihar, in her grandfather’s clinic, her childhood spent picking mangoes and guavas in her Nana and Nani’s garden and splashing through monsoon rain puddles in Mumbai. Prerna’s commitment to service and social justice comes from her Nana, who dedicated his life to serving poor patients in Patna, and named her Prerna, or “inspiration” in Hindi.
Prerna has been an educator for the past 20 years – from international NGOs in India and Rwanda, spanning training women’s microfinance groups to building curricula for HIV nurses, to formal K- 12 education in NYC, Philly, and Camden, serving urban public school districts for the past 12 years as a high school science teacher, elementary school principal, and head of elementary schools.
Prerna is currently a doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership at Harvard, and holds a Masters in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.
Anoop Raman
Founder & Advisor, Family Doctor & Chief Medical Officer
Anoop is the son of immigrants
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.
He is passionate not only about delivering on the mission of health equity — providing concierge level care to the people who need it most — but also about developing the next generation of impassioned, mission-driven clinicians.
Become Part of the Circle
Our counselors are the heart of camp — the ones who turn a week of activities into a week kids remember for life. If you love working with South Asian youth and want to help build a space where they feel seen, we’d love to hear from you.
Come grow with us.
Explore the people behind Camp Desi Roots or learn more about the overnight camp.