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 have been established all over Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh in Northern India.

By the grace of God Almighty, Akal International Youth Camp 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 Maharaj.

The camp was organized exclusively for the children of USA and Canada. The schedule and curriculum of the camp was prepared by the highly educated Sikhs of USA keeping in view the basic needs of the NRI children and based on the interaction and experience of Baba Iqbal Singh Ji’s tour of various countries. This four week camp lasted from July 3 to July 30 2006. Seventy-one children with age varying from 6 to 23 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 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 (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 learned to play instrumental music including Sitar, Taaus, Sarangi and Tabla. Children were also able to perform Ardaas, Hukamnama from Sri Guru Granth Sahib and Kirtan amongst the saadh Sangat in Darbar Sahib. Children were encouraged to perform ‘fan seva’ 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 ego, lust, violence and greed. Baba Iqbal Singh Ji, President, The Kalgidhar Trust, had interactions with the children to satisfy there queries about the Sikh Way of Life and enrich their knowledge about Gurmat. Initially many children were found to be very indifferent about Gursikhi but in the course of time; owing to the dedicated and intense training, they became motivated to lead the ‘ Gursikhi Way of Life’. Consequently, many of them took Amrit and became Gursikhs. 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 Paonta Sahib, Anandpur Sahib, Harmander Sahib. Fatehgarh Sahib and various other Historical Gurdwaras. Campers also participated in Gurmat Quiz which enhanced their further knowledge in Sikh History.

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.