Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa
Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
I am forever indebted to the Sevadar's (Volunteers) of Toronto Singhs Camp. I attended their very first camp 4 years ago at a retreat centre here in Toronto, Canada. I knew most of the volunteers but I attended not knowing what to expect since this was my first time attending an all male Sikh Retreat. The first day I remember when I got there, all the guys I knew were too busy organizing things and I felt like the odd one out. But very quickly I started conversations with random Singh's and before you know it I made new friends, lol. I remember when it was time to eat, they placed white chadraan (sheets) on the floor and we all ate just like we were at the Gurdwara. Now most of the guys I knew who were volunteers were only a few years older than me and born in Canada just like me so I never thought we would eat on the floor. In fact, the very first camp I ever attended we ate on tables with chairs. I didn't know what to think about it at first but I guess I was more surprised at the fact that guys from my generation still had the values passed down from our elders that they put into practice today.
From the Divaans (programs), to the Kirtans (spiritual hymn singing), to the sleeping arrangements to the food; all of this was done by the volunteers.
As the time went on, I was starting to feel more at home. When it came time for the divaans, everything was in English. I felt I connected more with the Bani (spiritual hymns) this way. I especially liked the workshops which I always look forward to as even they were in English and there was even a question & answer session afterwards.
Even at the 2nd and 3rd camp, after the workshops came sports time! I loved playing soccer outdoors after a long time. Just before sleeping, we always had a campfire where we would roast corn on the cob, marshmallows and tell saakhi's (spiritual stories). That gave the camp a little intimate atmosphere to discuss taboo topics like marriage, Maya, the role of a Singh in today's society and how long in length our Kacchera's (an article of faith that baptized Sikhs wear) should be, lol. Yes I said it.
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At the end of the camp I made new friends, learned new techniques to improve my Sikhi, did some amazing Sangat (made new friends that are on the same spiritual path), was blessed with the chance to be able to listen to some amazing kirtan, and chowed down on some good langar!
The whole camp experience for me was great. Amrit Vela (waking up in the ambrosial hours) is very important for a Sikh and since we did it every day at camp, it gave me the motivation to work on it every day in my life. That was probably the biggest thing I took away from the 1st camp and. The following camps, it was the workshops that really did it for me. It was like sitting in a classroom and being taught something that could be applied to everyday life to improve my Sikhi. I guess that's what keeps me coming back every year.
That, and the langar...yes the langar...
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!