The Kalgidhar Trust organizes Gurmat Camp in Salt Lake City, Utah

The first Gurmat camp for the young generation of Salt Lake City, Utah, was organized by The Kalgidhar Trust from October 5 to November 2, 2008 at Gurdwara Sahib West Jordan. This camp was organized by the cooperation of Saadh Sangat of two Gurdwara Sahibs (West Jordan and Redwood Road) under the supervision of Bhai Harpal Singh of Baru Sahib. A total of 35 campers participated in this camp, where they learned Punjabi Language, Gurbani and Kirtan. Painting and Dastar-tying competitions were organized to make this camp more interesting for the kids. The age of campers in this camp ranged from 6 to 60 years. Speaking about this camp, the coordinator of this camp S. Paramjeet Singh told that the classes were held from 4pm to 11pm at Gurdwara West Jordan. The campers were divided into 7 groups. The campers, who had never learnt Punjabi language, were able to recite Paath and read Punjabi newspapers on the conclusion of the camp. One of the campers, Jessica Martinez, an American, surprised everyone by learning Punjabi language just in a month during this camp. In addition to reading Punjabi, she was also successful in reciting Paath. Organizers were amazed to see the enthusiasm shown not only by the campers but also the parents, who spared time from their busy schedule to escort their wards to the camp and daily arranged special food/Langar for the campers.

On the concluding day of the camp, a Gurmat quiz competition was organized to test campers for their knowledge of Gurbani. All the campers participated with great enthusiasm. The participants were divided into four teams; viz. Baba Ajit Singh, Baba Jujhar Singh, Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh. To make this quiz more interesting, the campers were asked questions by showing them pictures related to Sikh history and Gurbani and Guru Granth Sahib. The winner of this Gurmat quiz was Baba Ajit Singh team followed by Baba Jujhar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh. The cash prizes were awarded to the winners by Mr. Harpal Singh; a prominent businessman and president of Gurdwara West Jordan. All the participants of the Gurmat Camp 2008 were awarded certificates by Mr. Manmohan Singh Grewal of Sikh Religious Mission of Utah & Wyoming.

Bhai Harpal Singh, an experienced Divinity teacher and instructor from Baru Sahib, India came especially for this Gurmat Camp. He apprised the Saadh-Sangat with the various philanthropic activities and establishment of educational institutions of The Kalgidhar Trust running 46 schools and 2 colleges (Akal College of Engineering & Technology and Akal College of Nursing) under the first private University to be funded by the Sikh community. All these institutions are being run by the donations from the Saadh-Sangat worldwide. He also said that Annual Summer camps (Akal International Youth Camps) held at Baru Sahib are very popular among the NRI students, who participate in these Akal International Youth Camps to learn Gurbani, Punjabi, Kirtan, Horseback riding and Gatka (Sikh martial art). Bhai Harpal Singh was very impressed by the enthusiasm shown by the campers and their parents. He honored S. Surjeet Singh (father of S. Paramjeet Singh; coordinator of this Gurmat camp) with memento and blessings from Baba Iqbal Singh Ji, Baru Sahib.

He thanked the management committees of Gurdwara Sahib West Jordan, Gurdwara Sahib Redwood Road, Johnny Singh, Manjit Singh, Jagmohan Singh, Darbara Singh, Shingara Singh, Satnam Singh and Arvinder Singh for their efforts in making this camp successful. Bhai Harpal Singh also thanked S. Harpal Singh, president and Bhai Kashmira Singh, head Granthi, Gurdwara West Jordan for their positive support.