Sant Attar Singh Ji and his divine associate Sant Teja Singh Ji followed the footsteps of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and envisioned the way to universal peace by imparting spiritual education along with conventional scientific education. As a result, a chain of 22 Akal Academies has been established all over Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh in Northern India.

By the grace of God Almighty, Akal International Youth Camp 2006 was organized at Akal Academy, Baru Sahib, Distt. Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh, India. The camp was a humble step to spread the divine message of universal brotherhood and peace as enunciated by Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

Two camps were organized for the children of USA, Canada and UK. First camp for USA and Canada children was for four weeks and lasted from July 3 to July 29 2006. Camp for UK children was held from July 29 to August 19 2006. Twenty four children with age varying from 9 to 24 years attended the camp along with some of their parents and had a chance to get divine experience at the land of meditation, i.e., Baru Sahib. The camp gave an excellent opportunity to the Sikh children to get first-hand experience of their own Culture, History, Language, Gurbani, Kirtan and Gurmat.

The curriculum at the camp was designed by the experts residing in USA and UK to cater the individual needs of the campers. Each camper was evaluated individually and performance targets were fixed accordingly. Greater emphasis was laid on learning Punjabi language and Gurbani in Gurmukhi script. One-to-one coaching was provided to all the children to meet their performance targets. Many of the campers didn’t know Gurmukhi script at all. By the time the camp was over, not only could they read Punjabi but also perform morning Nitnem (All the five banis of Nitnem i.e., Jap Ji Sahib, Jaap Sahib, Tav Prasad Saviye, Chaupayee Sahib and Anand Sahib, as also Rehraas Sahib and Sohila in the evening. Almost every camper learnt to recite Gurbani Kirtan.

Children who already had basic knowledge of the Punjabi script and Gurbani Kirtan were given advanced coaching for Asa di Vaar and Kirtan in ragas. All the children learned to play either Harmonium or Tabla and some of them learned to play Taaus (string instrument used by Guru Sahib). Children also learned to perform Ardaas, Hukamnaamna from Sri Guru Granth Sahib and Kirtan in Darbar Sahib. Children were encouraged to perform fan seva, cleaning shoes in Gurdwara Sahib and washing utensils in Guru Ka Langar.

Gurmat discussions were also a part of the daily routine to help children imbibe Sikh values and shed vices like ego, lust, violence and greed. Baba Iqbal Singh ji, President, The Kalgidhar Trust, had interactions with the children to satisfy their queries about the Sikh Way of Life and enrich their knowledge about Gurmat. All the campers vowed that they would strive to continue with the routine of Amrit Vela, Nitnem, Rehraas and Sohila as taught at Gurdwara Baru Sahib.

The campers also learnt Gatka (Sikh martial Art) and were taken for trekking across the scenic hills around Baru Sahib. Horse-back riding was one of the major attractions for the campers. Sight-seeing was also arranged. Campers were taken to Shimla for picnic.

A modern infrastructure exists at Akal Academy, Baru Sahib to cater to all the physical needs of the campers to make their stay comfortable. Special chefs were appointed to provide American, Continental and Indian food to the campers. Medical service was provided by the existing hospital and medical staff. Punjabi, Gurbani and Kirtan staff was available in-house.

At the time of departure one could see the spiritual bliss in the campers’ eyes. They had a great sense of achievement and were truly proud to be Gursikhs. Many of them had developed a special bond with Baru Sahib and expressed their desire to visit Gurdwara Baru Sahib again. We certainly hope that this humble effort to inculcate the Sikh Way of Life in these children would not only make them spiritually strong but also make them a role model in their respective places for others to emulate and spread universal brotherhood as enunciated by Guru Nanak Dev Ji.