The International Yough Camp 2004 was inaugurated on 25 June 2004 by Hon'ble Baba Iqbal Singh Ji and Dr. Khem Singh Ji. Giving a brief history of Baru Sahib and the objectives of The Kalgidhar Society, Dr. Khem Singh hoped that the young learners attending the camp would find themselves enriched when they would leave India after five weeks. Baba Iqbal Singh Ji congratulated the young participants for the interest and enthusiasm shown by them in coming to Baru Sahib to learn Gurmat. He further told the young participants the importance of spirituality and said that Gurmat i.e. Guru's Matt involves a control on Kaam (lust), Karodh (anger), Lobh (greed), Moh (attachment) and Ahankaar (ego). He hoped that the stay of the delegates at Baru Sahib would be comfortable and enjoyable. The inauguration ceremony ended when the students from US and Canada studying in Akal Academy recited shabads, religious poetry and delivered speeches on their experience at Baru Sahib.

The objective of the camp was to give an opportunity to the Sikh children from the US and other Western countries to get acquainted with Sikh culture, Sikh history, Sikh scriptures, language, Sikh literature and with the glorious Sikh heritage. They were given first-hand exposure to the unique concept of Akal Academies blending spiritual education with modern conventional schooling. The focus was on teaching young enthusiasts Punjabi, Kirtan, Nitnem, Sikh History & Gurmat and above all the ' Sikh Way of Life'.

The camp was a humble step in the direction of spreading the Divine Message of universal brotherhood and peace as enunciated by Guru Nanak, Sant Attar Singh and his divine associate Sant Teja Singh followed the footsteps of Guru Nanak 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.

The camp was organized exclusively for the children of USA and Canada. This five week camp lasted from 25 June to 2 August 2004. Sixty-five children with age varying from 6 to 19 years attended the camp along with some of their parents and had to get divine experience on the land of meditation, i.e. Baru Sahib. The camp gave them an excellent opportunity to know their own culture, history, language, Gurbani, Kirtan and Gurmat.

Alighting at International Airport Delhi on June 24, the young delegates had interaction with Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India. Hon'ble Dr. Manmohan Singh emphasized upon the need of practicing, preaching and spreading the spiritual values of Sikhism i.e., brotherhood, tolerance and peace in the world and called upon the children to feel proud being Sikhs because of these moral values. He showed keen interest by moving around among the group and interaction with them individually. During his address to the children, he stressed that they should learn the divine values as being taught by Sikhism and must present good account of themselves in their respective countries.

The curriculum at the camp was designed to cater to 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., Japji Sahib, Jaap Sahib, Tav Prasad, Sawaye, Chaupai Sahib and Anand Sahib as also Rehras and Kirtan Sohilla in the evening. Almost every camper learnt to recite Gurbani Kirtan (minimum five shabads).

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. Some children learnt to play instrumental music including Sitar, Tabla and Sarangi. Children were also able to perform Ardaas, Hukumnaama from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in Darbar Sahib. Children were also able to perform fan sewa with hands, cleaning shoes in Gurdwara Sahib and washing utensils in Guru ka Langar as per Sikh traditions.

Gurmat discussions were also a part of the daily routine to help children imbibe Sikh values and shed vices like lust, anger, greed, attachment and ego. Baba Iqbal Singh Ji, President, The Kalgidhar Society, had almost daily interactions with the children to satisfy their queries about Gurmat. Many children were found to be very indifferent about Gursikhi and in the course of time, owing to the dedicated and intense training, they became motivated to lead a Gursikhi way of life. Consequently many of them took Amrit and became Gursikh towards the end of the camp. All the campers made the commitment to continue with the routine of Amrit Vela, Nitnem, Rehras and Kirtan Sohilla 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 hills and various historical Gurdwaras like Paonta Sahib, Chamkaur Sahib, Anandpur Sahib, Khadoor Sahib, Taran Taaran Sahib, Harmandir Sahib and Fateh Garh Sahib.

A new modern infrastructure has been built at Akal Academy, Baru Sahib to cater to all the physical needs of the campers and 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. Renowned Gursikh speakers were also invited to address the children from time to time to enable them enhance their Gurmat horizon.

At the time of departure, one could see the spiritual bliss in the campers' eyes. They were feeling proud to be a Gursikh. Many of them had developed a special bond with Akal Academy, 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 young minds would not only make them spiritually strong but also role-models in their respective states for others to emulate and spread the universal brotherhood as enunciated by Guru Nanak.