LOS ANGELES: Dressed in immaculate white and imbued with high spirits over 150 young Sikh girls and boys from all over the U.S. and Canada got together for twelve days (August 1021) at the 20th Sikh International Youth Camp U.S.A. at La Habra Heights California to refurnish their faith and to cultivate universal brotherhood as preached by the ten Sikh Gurus the Founding Fathers of the Sikh Faith.
The daily routine at the camp started well before sunrise and comprised congregational prayers devotional music (Kirtan) exposition of the scriptures lectures on Sikh history Sikh Way of Life and theology classes in the Punjabi language in the Gurumukhi script turban tying Shabad Kirtan and physical culture to revive the soldierly traditions of the Sikhs and ceremonial salutation to the Sikh Flag.
The camp was studded with a mid-camp public function on Sunday Aug. 17 1986 in which over 700 members of the Sikh community participated. The campers presented an impressive program. Mr. Charles Wolfarth the Mayor of the La Habra Heights was the Chief Guest at this well organized function. He was accompanied by the Lady Mayor Ruth. Welcoming the distinguished guests Capt. Kanwar H. Singh the Camp Director said that the IIGS camping movement was not only a religious movement designed to rejuvenate the Sikh spirit but also to bring about cordiality love and understanding between the Sikhs and other communities. Addressing the congregation Mr. Charles Wolfarth advocated love of mankind irrespective of religious denominations and appreciated Sikhs for having invited them and felt happy to be with the Sikh community. They were presented with a set of books on Sikhism on behalf of the IIGS. Later the couple partook food at the Guru Ka Langar (community food sharing).
The television. Two on the Town (Channel Two) videotaped representative samples of the daily proceedings of the camp on Aug. 16 1986 for use in one of its future relays. The campers expressed unequivocal satisfaction with the camp and with what they had learnt.
In the final evaluation test 96% of the campers were found to have achieved the objective set forth in the beginning. Campers rated on various talents and services were awarded prizes at an impressive valedictory function. The prize distribution was carried out by Dr. J.S. Neki Consultant to the World Health Organization who was a guest speaker at the camp.
One of the highlights of the camp was that at least 20 of the campers who had short hair voluntarily chose to restore them to their natural full glory as per the Sikh traditions.
The campers resolved to keep in touch with one another and keep the torch of their Sikh faith lit forever.
The Camp was organized by the International Institute of Gurmat Studies Inc. a religio-cultural nonprofit Sikh organization that has for the last 15 years been spearheading a movement of renaissance within the Sikh faith founded five centuries ago by Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The TGS has already held 19 such camps internationally and trained over 3500 young Sikhs in the Sikh way of life. They were all taught not only to become devout Sikhs but also loyal citizens of their respective countries and never to touch tobacco alcohol or drugs. The IIGS has enthused in them not only spirit of Godiness but also responsible citizenship by encouraging them to participate in their national activities. Of late as an example the IIGS USA participated in the Hands Across America and contributed funds to it.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 12, 1986
