The Kalgidhar Trust organizes Gurmat Camp in Michigan

Detroit, Michigan: Sangat at the Gurdwara Sikh Society, Michigan Heights, witnessed one of its proudest moments when Sikh children and youth of the area performed during a special Diwan to mark the culmination of an extremely successful Gurmat camp. The camp was organized by The Kalgidhar Society, Baru Sahib, with eager cooperation and support from the local Sangat and the Gurdwara management. The Society was represented by Bhai Harpal Singh, a specially trained Divinity teacher at the Akal Academy chain of schools run by the Society. He also supervised the camp and ensured that children developed various valuable skills during the course of four weeks in November, 2008.

The success of this led to another camp in the area at the Madison Heights Gurdwara during the month of December. Here again, the participation was very high and everyone was involved with great zeal and vigor to make the camp a success.

In order to motivate the young participants and help them value their rich heritage, various competitions were organized during the course of the camp. Children showed great enthusiasm while competing during Dastar tying competition, quiz on Sikh history, Paath recitation and Kirtan. Participants were divided into smaller groups based on their ages and skills, so that each child could get maximum attention and take the best out of the program.

The quiz on Sikh history was the particular highlight of the evening as it involved teams from various Gurdwaras competing for the coveted title. There were 4 teams from the Canton Gurdwara under the guidance of S. Surinder Singh Garcha, and Rochester Gurdwara Sangat was represented by a team led by Bibi Kuldeep Kaur. In the end, it was Madison Heights Gurdwara teams that stood first in each age group.

Sangat of the area was so mesmerized by this entire initiative and particularly by their kids’ performances during the closing events that not even a single person left their place during the entire 5-hour show.

Keeping the tradition of the Akal Academy school system, each participant was given a motivational award. Winners in various competitions were given handsome cash prizes and beautiful trophies. In the end, the Gurdwara committee, including S. Jasvir Singh and S. Kahlon offered a token of respect and gratitude to Bhai Harpal Singh Ji, and also thanked the Sangat and the teams, who had gathered at the Madison Heights Gurdwara for this grand event.

Every parent was visibly pleased and very satisfied by the skills their wards had developed during these camps. They requested Bhai Harpal Singh to commit to another such camp next year. Bhai Harpal Singh, who has been visiting US periodically to bring the unique Gurmat education system of The Kalgidhar Society, Baru Sahib to the young children and youth by conducting such camps in various cities across this country, couldn’t help but heed the Sangat’s hukam.