WASHINGTON DC: The 15th Annual Northeastern Regional Sikh Youth Camp was sponsored by the Sikh Youth Federation of North America and was held in the most picturesque and peaceful surroundings at camp Tuscarora Windsor NY as an accepted activity of the Camp Tuscarora of the Susquenango Council of the boy Scouts of America.
Primary objective of the camp was to provide a religious experience in order to reinforce the belief in Sikhism and the Sikh way of life The objective was successfully achieved through planned daily routines organized classes sports and other individualized and group activities. The camp staff consisted of experienced and knowledge cable faculty supported by a cadre of counselors and sports personnel. Guest speakers and seminars were also arranged to address issues. Meals were prepared and served by the Boy Scouts staff and they provided a balanced diet with their varied menus Round-the-clock medical facilities were provided by qualified medical staff.
A total of 105 campers (boys and girls) ranging from ages 8 to 18 years came mostly from the East Coast a few however came from California and Canada. These campers continue to participate each year and look forward to meeting old friends as well as learning more about Sikhism from their old time teachers Dr. Balwant Singh S.Ujagar Singh S.Kirpal Singh Nijjar and many more. Older campers volunteer as counselors to give back to younger children a bit of what they have received from this camp to enrich their lives inspired by the ideals of Khalsa.
“Two weeks spent in this environment in the company of such dedicated Sikhs and children all Sikhs around you is a very special experience which no child can have at home or in school” said Amardip Singh who came to the camp as a senior counselor. His firm commitment to the Sikh way of life and his diligent efforts to help younger generation of Sikh youth won him the trophy instituted by the Leadership Training Program of the camp.
“Persuasion rather than conversion approach h is used here to bring you back into a Sikh way of life” said Rickinder Singh. Having been inspired by the camp he decided to grow his hair and wear a turban. Rickinder’s interest in his religion grew so fervently that he learned to read and write Punjabi recite Japuji Sahib and Rehras perform Ardas in the congregation. He now reads a few pages from Guru Granth Sahib daily. Rick also helps other kids in their pursuits to learn what he has.
“Do you think two weeks at the camp is enough for a youth to learn all about Sikhism” I asked. “The camp is like a spark which keeps burning inside you for the 50 weeks you are at home or in school,” he said with assured pride in himself. “Once [made a commitment here, my parents also helped me, they encouraged me to keep my resolve of growing my hair, they provided me the books on Sikh history and philosophy, they spent time with me and took interest in my accomplishments as I grew into a young Sikh scholar”.
The efforts were amply rewarded when Sardami Dilpreet Kaur and Dr.Amarjit Singh came all the way from Virginia to watch their son Rickinder Singh receive the coveted trophy of ‘Camper of the Year 1991″.
Parents of the campers converged on this blissful valley for the closing of the camp on the 18th August. The valedictory function started with the singing of ‘Deh Shiva Bar Mohe’ and the entire valley was ablaze with the music and Jaikaras sent waves in the placid blue water of the lake where children had been taking swimming lessons in early afternoons. Girls dressed up in their Punjabi suits performed Gidha the traditional Punjabi dance which they practiced under Charanjit Kaur Nijjar’s guidance and the boys performed Bhangra. They made a graceful presentation with agility and controlled movements of Gatka which they learned from their American Sikh teacher Sardar Jagat Singh Khalsa.
S.Ujager Singh the Camp Director highlighted the role of young counselors who worked closely with children and had been helping in the planning of this camp throughout the past year. A social worker/ director at a hospital system in New York city S.Ujager Singh has been able to help Sikh youth get organized in such a way that it perpetuates the support system to cultivate a unique and spiritual bond between these young Sikhs living in a multiracial society of America.
Dr.Balwant Singh said that his senior campers were more knowledgeable about Sikh history and philosophy than any of the parents would be. He also stressed the importance of parents in reinforcing in their daily lives what children had learned in two weeks at the camp and said that they should realize their own responsibility to act as role models for their children at home.
Next was the most difficult part of observing the children when they said tearful good-byes and Wahaguru Ji Ki Fatah. They took down others’ telephone numbers and addresses as they wiped their tears. “We are in the process of preparing a directory of all our campers” said Dr.Balwant Singh with an animated smile “but parents will have to pay their telephone bills”. “It is much cheaper than having to let these kids go to night clubs or hang around the drug addicts” said one of the parents.
“This is the training ground for Khalsa Akal Purukh Ki Fouj” said S.Chattar Singh Saini as we drove away from the camp still in the process of winding down.
By Dr.Surjit Kaur Washington D.C.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 13, 1991
