GLENROCK: New Jersey: A Gurmat missionary camp for children was held from August 21 to August 27.
At 7 am the children would recite the shabad “Tum sharnai aiya thakur.” They would welcome “Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji” with Nishan Sahib and Punj Piarey, Nitnem was done every morning and shabads were recited by the children. Parshad was served every morning. The same format was followed for the Sukhasan. The shabad recited was “Jithey jai bahey mera.” The children were served breakfast at 8:45a.m in the dining hall. The breakfast consisted of cereals, Alu paratha, bread, donuts, milk, orange juice, yogurt etc.
The Sikh history class took place from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. This was done outdoors. This class was conducted in Punjabi and English. Tests were given in the end just to seee if they got the correct message. The answers were discussed with all the children after the test. There were six volunteers teaching shabads on harmonium. Tabla was also taught to the children. This was one to one activity. Everybody was given a chance to lear at least one shabad. The children were divided in groups for the Punjabi class. One group was learning the alphabets, one was learning the vowels and one was learning reading.
The children were taken out of the outdoor activities before lunch and before “Rehras”. They were introduced to the Indian games like Kabaddi, and KhoKho. They were also taken to the Glenrock county park where the younger children enjoyed the swings, monkey gym and feeding the ducks. The older children played Soccer and Volleyball. Gatka was also taught to the children.
The assignment for writing a book report was given to the children. They were provided with the books, they could pick up any topic. They had to write at least ‘one page. All the children seriously involved in the project. Any free time they would find, they were found with the books. Everybody read the report in front of all the children. This was a fast way of giving them the most information. The basics of Sikh religion were taught to the children. A quiz was held in the end. They all did very well. Langar seva was done by the volunteers. Every day there was a different menu for lunch and dinner. They were given treats of chocolate and ice-cream.
The group kirtan was taught. They learnt three shabads: Jis da sahb, Tum sharnai, and Jithey jai bahey.
The children were helped to memorize Japji Sahib. The children who did not know any of it were taught Mul Mantra some of them did one pauri. This was done by children teaching each other. So everybody got advanced by one pauri.
Physical exercise was stressed before Rehras. After playing and exercising the children saluted the Nishan Sahib. The salute was given to the Nishan Sahib by reciting the shabads; Deh shiva and Jai tey gung. The children would go marching to receive Baba ji. Rehras was done every day and it was followed by the shabads by the children. Each child participated in rec” iting at least one shabad. After Kirtan langar was served.
At eight o’clock all the children were back to listen to sakhis. Sakhi was told by the grandma. She brought the atmosphere that there used to be pin drop silence and all the children would be very alert and attentive. Babaji’s Sukhasan was followed by Kirtan Sohila.
Saturday was picnic day. The children were taken to Marriman State park. Almost all the parents accompanied them on this trip. A large field was chosen along the lake side to hold this event. The day began by the children reciting various shabads. Then a few adults recited poetry eulogizing the Gurus. This was followed by the langar which had been taken along by the Gurdwara. After langar the adults had volleyball and soccer matches. The children played various games. The day was full of fun and excitement. Sunday was the award ceremony. The trophies were given to all the children. The children participated in making annoucements and reciting shabads.
The Glenrock, Shri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara committee thanks all the people who provided their voluntary services for the camp.
The camp was attended by Arvinder Singh, Amarjit Singh, Biba Singh, Bhupinder Singh, Baljit Singh, Babu Kaur, Balvinder Kaur, Damanjit Singh, Dalbir Singh, Gurdeep Singh, Gursevak Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Gursimar Kaur, Gurmeet Kaur, Gurinder Singh, Harleen Singh, Harmeet Rana, Harmeet Singh, Harpreet Kaur, Jessica Kaur, Jasmit Kaur, Jasjeet Singh, Jasmeet Singh, Jasmine Kaur, Jasprit Kaur, Jatinder Kaur, Jasbir Singh, Jitender Singh, Kamal Kaur, Kamalject Kaur, KamalJit Kaur, Mandeep Singh, Manjit Singh, Manvinder Singh, Manmeet Kaur, Neelam Kaur, Neeti Kaur, Nivi Narula, Opinder Kaur, Parminder Kaur, Parminder Sinsh, Pauldeep Singh, Rajdeep Kaur, Rajkirath Singh, Ramaljit Kaur, Ramneek Kaur, Ravinder Singh, Rupinderjeet Kaur, Rupinder Singh, Sonia Kaur, Sukhtej Singh, Sharonjeet Kaur, Sukhwinder Singh, Sarabraj Singh, Sujit an Upinder Singh, Sumit Singh.
There were day campers those who came at 7:30 am and left at 9 P.m. There were campers who Stayed at the premises. This camp was free of charge and was all the volunteers.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 29, 1989
