The Kalgidhar Trust in conjunction with SEWA Gurdwara Sahib of Atlanta organized Akal Gurmat Youth Camp in North America. The camp was held at the Gurdwara Sahib located in the Roswell area from December 26 to December 31, 2005. Nearly 50 young Sikhs from all over North America attended the camp. The camp ended with all night recitation of Keertan by the participating youth on New Year Eve. There were lots of hugs and tears saying good bye to each other at the end.
“This was like the mini Baru Sahib Camp; and a mid-year re-union” said Dashmeet Singh, a 13 year old camp attendee from Roswell, Atlanta area, “except that this one was a block away from my home instead of 8000 miles in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh in India”.
“It was a treat getting together with the spiritual younger and older brothers I made during my Baru Sahib camps”, rejoiced another youth Angad Singh. “These connections they make with each other and with the Guru Sahib, sharing the great wisdom of Gurbani, the Sikh history, and doing the Nitnem together is what will help strengthen their Sikh experience”, explained Gurkamal Kaur, the camp organizer. Another camp organizer, Dr. Baljit Singh Gill said, “This camp exemplified the saying of Sant Attar Singh Ji Maharaj that a Sikh should not only get worldly education but should also combine it with Spirituality”. Camp focused on the basic Sikh principles of meditation on the Name of Waheguru (Naam Japna), having an honest living (Kirat Karni) and sharing with others (Wand Ke Shakna).
The early morning recitation of all 5 Baanis lead by the youth highlighted the camp and left the local Sangat in awe, as well as, inspired them; making them thankful for the opportunity to get back in the Sikhi way of life. In a conscious circle of upliftment they fed each other - the adults by organizing the camp and providing the nurturing, and the youth by inspiring the adults.
After the Nitnem Baanis and breakfast, the youth were engaged in 4 hours of Sikh history, Gurbani, Kirtan, and discussion workshops relating to Sikh experiences and current issues affecting Sikhi, lead by motivating camp teachers from U.S. and Canada. Some of the discussions topics included “Technology and History of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib”, “A Gursikh is Cool in American School”, “Khalsa Nation - Healthy Nation”, “Baani Guru, Guru Hai Baani”, “Day to day living of a Sikh” etc.. This was all combined with learning Gurmukhi during the sessions. There was a special emphasis on character building which was enforced with sharing historical Saakhis from lives of ten Gurus and other prominent Gursikhs.
Lunch was followed by creative activities like games with Sikh themes, Quiz competitions, Dastaar tying, and naptime with saakhis for little ones. The evenings were for physical fitness and featured various sports activities like Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball and Gatka. The highlights of the outdoor activities were bowling, a tour of world famous attractions such as the Coca Cola Museum and CNN headquarters in downtown Atlanta. There were also special hour long sessions in the late afternoon which focused on Sikh values. Children loved it as these were presented in the form of small skits. There was no lack of volunteers for these entertaining and educational presentations. Parents would often join in and were enthralled by seeing their young ones being so involved in these activities.
The evenings ended with the recitation of Rehras Sahib and Keertan, which was followed by Guru Ka Langar. Every day a different group of children took responsibilities in taking care of Gurdwara activities, including reciting of prayers and Hukamnama from Guru Granth Sahib. One of the older child in the group would act as a Youth counselor for that group and learnt how to organize and manage daily activities of that group. Children elected to identify their group with a Sikhi name such as Chardikala, Sikhi Sidak etc.. They took great pride in the functioning of their group activities.
The camp was an effort pulled together not only by a 100% commitment of the local Sangat of the SEWA Gurdwara but of the teachers, parents and youth who dedicated one whole week engaged in voluntary sewa traveling from far away places. Locals hosted the outside Atlanta families at their homes, provided Langar and logistics. It was a camp that exemplified Sikhi, dedication, and close relationships.
“We didn’t get much sleep but we got lot of love and satisfaction in return”, said Amarpreet Kaur, the Camp’s incharge; thanking all those who made it possible – from teachers to parents, organizers and sewadars. The organizers and the attendees look forward to making this camp an annual event – A mid-year refresher for the 4 week long Akal Youth camp held every July in Baru Sahib, H.P, India.
For more information on the Akal International Youth Camp 2006 and Register Online, please visit
www.kalgidhartrust.us
The Kalgidhar Trust, 12612 Buffalo Nickel Dr., Midlothian, VA 23112. AkalAcademy@aol.com. 1-804-639-6507
