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A Summer to Last a Lifetime

by GURMEET KAUR

 

 

Looking for a summer full of Sikh inspiration for your young ones?

Look no further!

If your children are between the ages of 8 and 25 and ready for an intense Sikh experience in a place that will sweep them off their feet, you want to get to know the Akal Gurmat Camp held at Baru Sahib in the foothills of the Himalayan mountains for the entire month of July.

Yes, it's a bit away from home, across the seas and then a 10-hour rough drive away from New Delhi, but there is no other place on earth like it, where the young ones can soak in an environment of Sikh living and learning far away from everyday distractions. No TV, computer, cell phones, video games or i-pods. Fashion clothing and make-up is left behind and so are chewing gum and soda cans.

There is no other place on earth that they can get such a 180 degree shift from their current lifestyle and still be happy.

Yes, happy.

I have visited the camp, taught some classes, and have lived amongst the kids, twice in the last five years and seen many young ones learn and grow, loving the experience.

I admit that the first few days are tough indeed.

They are surrounded by the best but the most demanding gurmat teachers. They are expected to wake up early, take cold water showers and be in the darbar sahib by 6 am each morning for the nitnem. Then a breakfast and short rest period, followed by a day full of classes, during which their undivided attention is needed at every moment.

But worry not.  Gentle counselors assure that the kids feel safe and nurtured as they adapt to the change. They are given time to adjust to the rigorous schedule. And there are plenty of snacks and rest breaks throughout the day. And yes, they can laugh, play, complain and even scream during the breaks.

Right in the middle of the day when the heat from learning gets too much, they get a full hour of gatka training by the most amazing and jovial teacher who has been coming there for years to specially teach the western kids. Followed by lunch, and then a nap that refreshes them for afternoon activities.

The facilities are extremely clean and comfortable. Food is wholesome and the beautiful scenery and climate of the pristine valley puts even the most un-restful minds to ease. To make the transition less stressful, the camp management goes out of its way - even to the extent of providing comfort foods such as veggie burgers and pastas along with familiar home fares such as paraunthas. After all, a happy camper makes a better student.

It all started in 2004 with the vision of the Kalgidhar Trust to introduce the beautiful setting of the Himalayan Sikh enclave to western kids. In the last five years, the camp has matured immensely. Each year, children from U.S.A., Canada and Europe go to tune off from their western lifestyle and soak into a complete eco-system of Sikh living and learning. One month of comfort amongst people who look like them and are happy to host them.

I call the camp a "total gurmat immersion". The children truly get to soak into an atmosphere of gurbani and music. My son has attended the camp four times since he was ten years of age.  Each year he came back, he could read his banis more fluently, do beautiful kirtan and looked extremely relaxed and blissful. The air, water and the green of Baru Sahib have a very soothing effect on the young minds, as their soul develops a profound connection to the Guru.  

The day-classes with one-on-one instructors focus on santhya (correct reading of gurbani), gurmat philosophy, Punjabi language, Sikh history and kirtan, including that of traditional tanti saaz (stringed instruments) such as the sitar, violin, rabab, saranda, taus and sarangi. It is amazing to see what the kids can learn in just a few weeks with this kind of personal training.

To break the monotony of intense learning, the day is interlaced with enriching group activities including discussions, quizzes and competitions that get their creative personalities to come out no matter how shy they are.

Bhai Harpal Singh's leadership, combined with Bibi Sharanjeet Kaur's organization, is totally unparalleled. Their long experience with western children allows them to be patient and encouraging of two-way discourse rather than one-way instructions. Infact, Bhai Harpal Singh has been spending the last two years holding month long camps in various cities in the U.S. and U.K.. Working  with English speakers (as their first language), he has developed a unique way of teaching Gurmukhi and Punjabi to the youth in an extremely short time.

On my trip last year, I was amazed to see the youth write their own speeches in Punjabi language and deliver it with an immense confidence just mid-way through the camp.

Kids wait to spend the evening relaxing on the huge play ground surrounded by beautiful mountains. Basketball and soccer matches between the local academy kids and the campers is a much watched and anticipated event. The western kids may have the skills but the locals are a tough bunch. Things do get a bit rowdy sometimes as adrenalin flows everywhere.

For the ones that are not into rigorous sports, there is always horseback riding or just a peaceful sunset hike. The whole campus is guarded by the gated security, yet there are many places to venture safely and have a quiet time to yourself.

During the mid-camp break, the kids get to tour the neighboring Himalayan towns and visit some beautiful scenic places. Each weekend, a hiking trip to the local waterfall or the caves is a welcome break from the class schedule and instills the love of nature in them.

Children look forward to the end-of-the-camp treat. A short journey of the various historical gurdwaras like Paonta Sahib, Chamkaur Sahib, Anandpur Sahib, Khadoor Sahib, Taran Taaran Sahib, Harmandar Sahib and Fateh Garh Sahib helps them connect with their rich heritage and history.

By now, I am sure you are wondering if you can go with your kids? Yes, parents too can take advantage of this camp by registering themselves and avail of all learning opportunities available to the young ones. You just have to follow the same discipline.

All arrangements, including pickup from the New Delhi airport to drop off and lodging in between, are taken care of by the organizers. Unaccompanied minors can be picked up from and dropped to the airlines. You can rest assured that your child will be in good hands for the trip and come back more peaceful, mature and learned than you'd expect.

To me, a big aspect of Sikh learning is to see seva in action. Baru Sahib exposes western kids to it in a very subtle way. They see it happening all around them and partake in it. They see truck loads of Punjabis come and do kar seva for the upcoming school and college buildings, they see the Akal Charitable Hospital serving the villagers from far away who otherwise would not have any health care. They see the local mountain kids come and attend the free school run by the trust and they interact with the orphans who are enrolled in the gurmat school there.

It is a summer that will stay with them for a lifetime; an investment worth making at least once before they leave your nests.

 

For more information, including picture galleries from previous camps, and registration information, please visit:

http://barusahib.org/youth-camps.php

 

May 21, 2010

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