The Akal International Youth Camps are organized annually at Baru Sahib in the months of July and August. These camps ensure that Sikh children of today are taught Sikh tenets and exposed to the Sikh way of life. The basic tenets of Sikhism teach us to share, to perform 'Sewa' (selfless service), to enjoy 'Nam Simran' (divine meditation), and to spend our lives promoting universal brotherhood. It advocates us to dismantle all barriers and boundaries and embrace humanity. All Sikhs are instructed to pray for 'Sarbat Da Bhala' (the blessing of God for all religions, races, and societies without discrimination). Today the Western world is enamored with being cosmopolitan, of becoming a citizen of the world, a modern idea which Guru Nanak enunciated five centuries ago. The relevance of Sikh religion and the Sikh way of life is, thus, more important today than ever before. This camp hopes to inspire the cosmopolitan spirit in Sikh youth, to encourage them to maintain their distinct identity and heritage across the globe, wherever they may be.
The objective of the camps is to give an opportunity to the Sikh children from the UK and other Western countries to get acquainted with Sikh culture, Sikh history, Sikh scriptures, language, Sikh literature and with the glorious Sikh heritage. They are given first-hand exposure to the unique concept of Akal Academies blending spiritual education with modern conventional schooling. The focus is on teaching young enthusiasts Punjabi, Kirtan, Nitnem, Sikh History & Gurmat and above all the ' Sikh Way of Life'.
This year, Akal International Youth Camp for UK students is being organized from 1 August to 24 August, 2007. Several UK campers arrived at Delhi Airport and after their brief stay in Delhi at F-3, Rajouri Garden, New Delhi, they were escorted to Baru Sahib with utmost care in air-conditioned cabs. On their arrival at Baru Sahib, all the campers experienced the heavenly bliss as they found themselves in 'The Valley of Divine Peace".
