After the novel learning experience in 'The Valley of Divine Peace', finally came the time of the closing ceremony of the Akal International Youth Camp. On 20 August 2007, the camp2007update1 performed the closing ceremony of the camp from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. in Darbar Sahib. The children were dressed beautifully. The whole environment was very touching. The camp2007update1 were to show their skills that they had learnt from their teachers in the camp.

The whole ceremony was a memorable one. The children performed their best. No one could believe that these children have learnt so much in in such a short time. The courage of the children was highly appreciable. All the people were amazed to see these young children's performance. The camp2007update1 displayed their skills on Tabla and stringed musical instruments (Tanti Saaz). They recited Gurbani Kirtan as well as songs of valour.

After the performance of camp2007update1, the students of Akal Academy Baru Sahib performed Kirtan followed by the students of Gurmat Sangeet Vidyalya. They recited Gurbani on stringed musical instruments like Taus, Sitar, Guitar etc. as well as Harmonium and Tabla.

SCHEDULE

	Solo Vadan (Tabla) - Boys Simran SinghGurpal Singh Amarjeet Singh Manpreet Singh Pragat Singh Pavandeep Singh Satnam Singh Gurrajan Singh Meharbaan Singh Barinder Singh Karanveer Singh
	Kar Kirpa Prabh Din Dyaiala Gurpreet Singh
	Gur Mere Sang Sadaa Hai Naalay Meena Kaur Madhsudan Kaur
	Jaa Kaa Meet Saajan Hai Samee-aa Manjit Singh Meharbaan Singh
	Sutti Kaum Jgoni Veero Simran Kaur Meena Kaur Alisha Kaur Bhupinderpal Kaur Madhsudan Kaur
	Aavoh Sikh Satgur Ke Piyareyo Baldeep Kaur Rajwinder Kaur Rubinder Kaur Pamneet Kaur
	Patit Pavan Prabh (Tanti Saaz) Ajit Singh Jagdeep Singh
	Tu Thakur Tum Peh Ardass Rajdeep Kaur Sumandeep Kaur Ramandeep Kaur
	Solo Vadan (Tabla) - Girls Satveer Kaur Maninderbir Kaur
	Bhukh Te Hazur Asi Jhali Aye Badhi Rupinder Kaur Baldeep Kaur Rajdeep Kaur Rajwinder Kaur Satveer Kaur
	Aaye Piyar Mohabatan Todh Ke Maninderpal Kaur Gurmej Kaur Tarandeep Kaur Kiran Kaur Amandeep Kaur Amrit Kaur
	Saadi Beanti Guru Ji Ek Vaar Sumandeep Kaur Ramandeep Kaur Gurbinder Kaur Varinder Kaur Pamneet Kaur
	Doha Nu Udike Surma Maut Aavay Ja Gobind Pehlan Aavay Students of Akal Gurmat Academy

2nd Akal International Youth Camp for UK students was organized at Akal Academy, Baru Sahib. Such camps are a humble step to spread the divine camp2007update2age of universal brotherhood and peace as enunciated by Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

Four-week camp for children from UK lasted from 1 August to 24 August, 2007. Seventy eight camp2007update1, including children, with age varying from 6 to 19 years attended the camp. The camp gave an excellent opportunity to the Sikh children to get first-hand experience of their own Culture, History, Language, Gurbani, Kirtan and Gurmat.

The curriculum at the camp was designed to cater the individual needs of the camp2007update1. Each camper was evaluated and performance targets were fixed accordingly. A lot of emphasis was given on learning Punjabi language and Gurbani in Gurmukhi script. One-to-one coaching was provided to all the children to meet their performance targets. Many of the camp2007update1 didn’t know Gurmukhi script at all. By the time the camp was over, not only could they read Punjabi but also perform morning Nitnem (All the five banis of Nitnem i.e., Jap Ji Sahib, Jaap Sahib, Tav Prasad Saviye, Chaupayee Sahib and Anand Sahib, as also Rehraas Sahib and Sohila in the evening). Every camper learned to recite Gurbani Kirtan.

Children who already had basic knowledge of the Punjabi script and Gurbani Kirtan were given advanced training of Asa di Vaar and Kirtan in ragas. Some children learned to play instrumental music including Sitar, Taaus, Sarangi and Tabla. Children were also taught to do Ardaas and Hukamnama. As per Sikh traditions, children were encouraged to do seva with hands, cleaning shoes in Gurdwara Sahib and washing utensils in Guru Ka Langar.

Gurmat discussions were also a part of the daily routine to help children imbibe Sikh values and shed vices like ego, lust, violence and greed. Baba Iqbal Singh J, President of The Kalgidhar Trust, had interactions with the children to satisfy their queries about the Gursikh Way of Life and enrich their knowledge about Gurmat. Initially many children were found to be very indifferent about Gursikhi but in the course of time; owing to the dedicated and intense training, they became motivated to lead a "Gursikh Way of Life". Eleven camp2007update1 took Amrit at the end of the camp. All the camp2007update1 vowed that they would strive to continue with the routine of Amrit Vela, Nitnem, Rehraas and Sohila.

Campers participated in Gurmat Quiz which enhanced their knowledge further in Sikh History.

The camp2007update1 were taken for camp2007update3 across the scenic hills around Baru Sahib. Horse-back riding was one of the major attractions for the camp2007update1. Sight-seeing was also arranged. Campers visited Anandpur Sahib, Harmander Sahib and Fatehgarh Sahib Gurudwaras.

A modern infrastructure exists at Akal Academy, Baru Sahib to cater to all the physical needs of the camp2007update1 to make their stay comfortable. Special chefs were hired to provide American, Continental and Indian food to the camp2007update1. Medical services were also provided by the existing hospital and medical staff.

At the time of departure, one could see the spiritual bliss in the camp2007update1’ eyes. They had a great sense of achievement and were proud to be Gursikhs. Many of them had developed a special bond with Baru Sahib and expressed their desire to visit Gurdwara Baru Sahib again. We certainly hope that this humble effort to inculcate the Sikh Way of Life in these children would not only make them spiritually strong but also role-models for others to emulate and spread the camp2007update2age of universal brotherhood.