A Gurmat camp was organized from 10 February to 16 March, 2008 at Gurdwara Singh Sabha of Michigan, Canton, MI, USA under the supervision of Bhai Harpal Singh of Gurdwara Baru Sahib, Himachal Pradesh, India with the cooperation of Punjabi School and revered saadh-sangat. This Punjabi School, managed by Gurdwara Singh Sabha of Michigan, Canton, is running successfully for the last four years imparting Punjabi Language, Gurmat and Sikh Principles to tiny-tots and younger generation.

For the convenience and benefit of those kids from USA, who could not go to Baru Sahib in India, Baba Iqbal Singh Ji (President, The Kalgidhar Society) decided that the Gurmat Camps should also be conducted in USA itself. So, Bhai Harpal Singh was sent to render his services for this purpose.

In this gurmat camp, the campers learned correct pronunciation of Punjabi, Naam Simran, Gurbani Kirtan, religious poems, Gurmat, Sikh Philosophy, Sikh History and practical way of Sikh living. As appealed by S. Jagdish Singh Chehal at the inauguration of camp, two days in a week were reserved for the newly established Guru Ghar of Brown’s Town. A samagam was organized on Sunday, 9 March 2008 by the campers at Brown’s Town Gurdwara.

On 15 March, a quiz competition based on Gurbani, Gurmat and Sikh History was organized for the campers. The campers were divided into four groups in the quiz competition comprising four rounds. The judges were S. Tejkiran Singh Dhillon, S. Lakhwinder Singh Brown’s Town and Bibi Jasbir Kaur Saini. The participants responded very enthusiastically with 90% correct answers. The parents were amazed to see their wards’ performance in such a short time. One of the parents said, “Our kids have outclassed us by attending this camp for 5 weeks only, as even we didn’t know the answers of many questions.”

On this occasion, S. Surinder Singh Garcha (Manager of Punjabi School and former Secretary of Gurdwara Sahib) said that this camp could be termed as successful only if we all vow to keep our hair intact and get the blessings of the Guru by taking Amrit. All present vowed to keep their hair intact and several children and parents promised to take Amrit.

To make the camp more interesting, musical chairs competition was also organized. Even the parents participated very enthusiastically in this competition.

Throughout the camp, 50 campers from Canton and 25 campers from Brown’s Town attended this camp regularly. Bibi Harjit Kaur Dhingra and Bibi Parvinder Kaur Bhullar also contributed towards the success of this camp.

Closing ceremony of this Gurmat Camp was held on Sunday, 16 March 2008 at Gurdwara Sahib Canton. Most of the campers were dressed beautifully in Sikhi Bana.

Shabad Gayan by campers in the closing ceremony:

(It was a great achievement of this Gurmat Camp that most of the campers learned Kirtan in this Gurmat Camp itself and performed in the closing ceremoney. No one except one girl camper knew how to perform Kirtan before the camp)

Mool-Mantra - Balraj Singh Dhanoa, Charanpreet Singh, Hargobind Singh

Satgur Aaio Saran Tuhari - Supreet Kaur, Rajbir Kaur

Kawan Gun Pranpat Milio Meri Mai – Armind Kaur Chehal, Arman Kaur Bhullar

Gun Keerat Nidh Mori – Harjot Kaur Sangha, Ravneet Kaur Bhangu, Navneet Kaur Bhangu

Jagat Jalanda Raakh Lai – Prabhdeep Singh Dullat

Ooch Apaar Beant Suami – Aadeshbir Singh, Amanjot Singh Sangha

Rakha Ek Hamara Suami – Simardeep Singh, Manvir Singh Dhaliwal

Prabhneet Kaur spoke on the topic of ‘Who is Khalsa?’ Saga of Chamkaur by Ravleen Kaur Saini and Gurleen Kaur Saini brought tears to the eyes of many. Roseleen Kaur Bains, Harmandeep Kaur, Muskan Kaur and Kiran Kaur also recited one shabad each. Puneet Kaur Bhullar, Gur Asees Kaur Dhingra, Puneet Kaur Gill and Guntaj Kaur recited the poem ‘Chaar Kurahitan Ton Door Hi Rehna’. It was notable that most of the participating campers in Shabad-Gayan had learnt Gurbani Kirtan in this Gurmat Camp itself.

Throughout the samagam, Tabla was played by Palvinderbir Singh, a former student of Punjabi School. Marking the conclusion of the Diwan, ‘Ajj Guran Da Langar Hai’ by 4.5 year old Rajpreet Singh Garcha was much appreciated by one and all. Ardas was performed by Balkaran Singh and Hukamnama was recited by Harjot Kaur Gill.

Bhai Harpal Singh of Baru Sahib, who compeered the whole samagam, apprised the sangat with more than 37 educational institutions and other humanitarian projects being undertaken by The Kalgidhar Trust, Baru Sahib. S. Gurmukh Singh Dusanjh honored Bhai Harpal Singh with Siropa. He was also honored with a memento by the management of Punjabi School which included S. Jagdish Singh Chehal, S. Gurpreet Singh Aulakh, S. Surinder Singh Garcha and S. Resham Singh Saini. When Bhai Harpal Singh, on behalf of Baba Iqbal Singh Ji, was going to honor camp coordinator S. Surinder Singh Garcha, he called all his colleagues on stage to receive the blessings, saying that the success of the Gurmat camp was possible only with the co-operation of all involved.

An unprecedented enthusiasm was seen in the sangat regarding this Gurmat camp. The elated Bhai Gurpal Singh said, “It is a matter of great pleasure that for the very first time, a Gurmat Camp has been organized jointly by two Gurdwaras with the efforts of S. Jagdish Singh and S. Surinder Singh. We hope that in future, other schools and Gurdwaras will also follow this example and organize similar camps jointly.”

For the services of Bhai Harpal Singh to conduct Gurmat Camps, please contact at jsgill@barusahib.org. His six month trip starts from Oct. 2008.

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 to the Sangat’s hukam.

Brush up on the competition

Observe, Reflect, Inscribe

Baltet Singh - I know!

Prabhdeep Singh - Thinking deep

Mainu Sikhi te maan hai !!

Akashdeep Singh - Lau Ban Gayi Gal

Prabhpreet Singh - Singh is King

Gopaldeep Kaur - I can do it!

Krisham Kaur - first in race!!

Akashdeep Singh - Beyond the sky!

Blessed to win trophies

Farewell until the next Gurmat camp!