Success!
After months of planning and hard work, I was glad to see the following event come off as a great success! Mission Accomplished. Now, back to work on Dashmesh Pictures...
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Guru Gobind Singh Foundation
13814 Travilah Road
Rockville, Maryland 20850
301 309 9528
Website: www.ggsfusa.com
08/18/06
Press Release
For Immediate Release
Sikh Youth from Across America renew their spirit in camp in Washington: learn to tackle issues facing them
Washington - Camp Gurmat 2006, which began on August 6th and ended on August 12th at the Lanthrop E. Smith Environmental Center in MD, was the 7th camp organized by Guru Gobind Singh Foundation in Rockville Maryland. This annual youth camp is held in this vast, beautiful facility, in the lap of nature, surrounded by thick shady trees, deer and peacock and other exotic birds seen at random. The theme, this year, was Guru Arjun Dev Ji, in keeping with 400 years martyrdom celebration of the great first martyr of Indian subcontinent.
The camp housed about 125 youths from all over USA and unfortunately about 20 youths were turned away because of lack of residential facility. Youth and counselors came from New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Michigan, Texas , Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and California. There were 10 councilors and 25 volunteers.
Camp Coordinator Hargurpreet Singh, an engineer with Maryland government, meticulously planned every detail from registration to every day meals. He said, "With the best of the best Counselors from through out the United States, the children who attended Camp Gurmat were exposed to the true roots of the Sikh faith which allowed for all of them to walk away motivated and rejuvenated."
Within in a one week time period, Sikh children from all throughout the United States were given intensive training in Sikh history, culture, music, and martial arts all within in a fun, friendly, and welcoming environment. Rajwant Singh, Executive Director of Guru Gobind Singh Foundation with Sartaj Singh, the Head Councilor planned the academic sessions on the theme of the camp.
Dr. Rajwant Singh ,said, "Emphasis was balanced between being spiritually rounded in the Sikh face as well as the challenges the youth face growing up in a country where fellow citizens struggle with understanding who the Sikhs are."
Gagan Kaur assisted in teaching Sikh history.
Sartaj Singh, very skillfully and diligently drafted an elaborate schedule of every hour so the students could utilize their time effectively and learn about the Guru. He made sure that students get enough time for sports and entertainment. The curriculum was very well integrated.
The remarkable point to be mentioned is that the camp prepares youth to accept many challenges that youth have to face in this complex world. Sartaj Singh said, "Students learned how to protect themselves when using online chatting applications, discussed how popular music and videos influence their thoughts, as well as discussed how they will preserve and grow the Sikh face throughout their lifeline."
"Interactively acting out several key moments in Sikh history, such as mimicking how Guru Arjan Dev Ji wrote to Guru Ram Das Ji, it allowed me to truly reflect in a new manner the principles which the Sikh Gurus strived for," said Angadraj Singh from New York.
Bhai Gurdarshan Singh, Granthi of Guru Gobind Singh Foundation infused great reverence and love for the Guru Arjun Dev Ji by the selection of the theme hymn, "Sab Kich Toon Hain." He taught kirtan at the camp along with Bhai Mehar Singh, Amrit Pal Kaur, Surinderjit Kaur, Herman Kaur and Preet Amrit Kaur. Harminder Singh Jassal held an interactive hands on session on the Guru Granth Sahib.
Baba Chattar Singh, a well renowned gatka player of India with his electrifying son Sukhwinder Singh and Jaswant Singh Bal from California were invited to teach the art of Gatka, initiated by Guru Hargobind Ji, to the students in the 17th century.
Harjot Singh an expert youth gatka player of Guru Gobind Singh foundation along with Harjus Singh from Ohio assisted in gatka training. Harjot is a great motivational force among youth and he teaches gatka to boys and girls in the gurdwara every Sunday.
Thursday night was the gatka demonstration night. It was fascinating to see all novice players perform so well and enjoy it.
Friday night was students and councilors night. They got opportunity to present and dramatize small skits with a moral related to the life of Guru. It was amazing to see their creativity. They used every opportunity to provoke laughter with their jokes.
Darshpreet Singh from San Antonio, an Amrit-dhari basketball player at Trinity University as well as a regular counselor at the Camp Gurmat, said "We are the utmost thankful for the knowledge of Bhai Gurdarshan Singh, Head Granthi of Camp Gurmat and Guru Gobind Singh Foundation, who has excellent communication skills on teaching the Sikh scriptures to either a Punjabi or American audience. It is individuals like him who can relate to the Sikh youth in America and be able to teach Sikhism in manners that are easily understood by them."
Saturday 12th August, marked the grand finale of the Camp Gurmat 2006. In the divan all the students presented hymns or speeches to the utter delight of their parents. A grand Tabla presentation by the students learning tabla with Bhai Rajinder Pal Singh in lead enthralled the audience and left every one spell bound. Bhai Rajinder Pal Singh, an illustrious Tabla player created an enthusiasm among youth to learn the art of tabla. He also teaches tabla to many youths in the Washington metro area.
Amrit Kaur, secretary of the GGSF said, "Camp Gurmat was a phenomenal success in every aspect. It was able to inspire the love and longing for the Guru and redefined the importance of Sikh identity. During camp, teenager Sherman Singh announced his pledge to come back to Sikhi form and keep unshorn hair. It was a moment of great rejoice and accomplishment for the Camp Management. With WaheGuru's grace this camp came to an end with promise of another one next year."
Guru Gobind Singh Foundation excels in its Youth oriented programs and this camp was another milestone in its long journey.
==========
Guru Gobind Singh Foundation
13814 Travilah Road
Rockville, Maryland 20850
301 309 9528
Website: www.ggsfusa.com
08/18/06
Press Release
For Immediate Release
Sikh Youth from Across America renew their spirit in camp in Washington: learn to tackle issues facing them
Washington - Camp Gurmat 2006, which began on August 6th and ended on August 12th at the Lanthrop E. Smith Environmental Center in MD, was the 7th camp organized by Guru Gobind Singh Foundation in Rockville Maryland. This annual youth camp is held in this vast, beautiful facility, in the lap of nature, surrounded by thick shady trees, deer and peacock and other exotic birds seen at random. The theme, this year, was Guru Arjun Dev Ji, in keeping with 400 years martyrdom celebration of the great first martyr of Indian subcontinent.
Campers, teachers and volunteers at the Camp Gurmat 2006
The camp housed about 125 youths from all over USA and unfortunately about 20 youths were turned away because of lack of residential facility. Youth and counselors came from New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Michigan, Texas , Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and California. There were 10 councilors and 25 volunteers.
Camp Coordinator Hargurpreet Singh, an engineer with Maryland government, meticulously planned every detail from registration to every day meals. He said, "With the best of the best Counselors from through out the United States, the children who attended Camp Gurmat were exposed to the true roots of the Sikh faith which allowed for all of them to walk away motivated and rejuvenated."
Hargurpreet Singh with Counselors who guided the Sikh kids at the camp
Within in a one week time period, Sikh children from all throughout the United States were given intensive training in Sikh history, culture, music, and martial arts all within in a fun, friendly, and welcoming environment. Rajwant Singh, Executive Director of Guru Gobind Singh Foundation with Sartaj Singh, the Head Councilor planned the academic sessions on the theme of the camp.
Group B ages 10 - 12.
Dr. Rajwant Singh ,said, "Emphasis was balanced between being spiritually rounded in the Sikh face as well as the challenges the youth face growing up in a country where fellow citizens struggle with understanding who the Sikhs are."
Gagan Kaur assisted in teaching Sikh history.
Dalpreet Singh, a young attorney sharing his life experiences with campers.
Sartaj Singh, very skillfully and diligently drafted an elaborate schedule of every hour so the students could utilize their time effectively and learn about the Guru. He made sure that students get enough time for sports and entertainment. The curriculum was very well integrated.
Group D ages 15 and above.
The remarkable point to be mentioned is that the camp prepares youth to accept many challenges that youth have to face in this complex world. Sartaj Singh said, "Students learned how to protect themselves when using online chatting applications, discussed how popular music and videos influence their thoughts, as well as discussed how they will preserve and grow the Sikh face throughout their lifeline."
Sahib Singh of New Jersey bringing Guru Granth Sahib to the Main Hall.
"Interactively acting out several key moments in Sikh history, such as mimicking how Guru Arjan Dev Ji wrote to Guru Ram Das Ji, it allowed me to truly reflect in a new manner the principles which the Sikh Gurus strived for," said Angadraj Singh from New York.
Group C ages 13 - 14.
Bhai Gurdarshan Singh, Granthi of Guru Gobind Singh Foundation infused great reverence and love for the Guru Arjun Dev Ji by the selection of the theme hymn, "Sab Kich Toon Hain." He taught kirtan at the camp along with Bhai Mehar Singh, Amrit Pal Kaur, Surinderjit Kaur, Herman Kaur and Preet Amrit Kaur. Harminder Singh Jassal held an interactive hands on session on the Guru Granth Sahib.
Campers performing kirtan in the service at the Camp.
Baba Chattar Singh, a well renowned gatka player of India with his electrifying son Sukhwinder Singh and Jaswant Singh Bal from California were invited to teach the art of Gatka, initiated by Guru Hargobind Ji, to the students in the 17th century.
Gatka Teachers Jaswant Singh (left) and Bhai Chattar Singh.
Harjot Singh an expert youth gatka player of Guru Gobind Singh foundation along with Harjus Singh from Ohio assisted in gatka training. Harjot is a great motivational force among youth and he teaches gatka to boys and girls in the gurdwara every Sunday.
Thursday night was the gatka demonstration night. It was fascinating to see all novice players perform so well and enjoy it.
Camp Gurmat 2006 group photo after the infamous Thursday night Gatka Show.
Friday night was students and councilors night. They got opportunity to present and dramatize small skits with a moral related to the life of Guru. It was amazing to see their creativity. They used every opportunity to provoke laughter with their jokes.
From R to L Sartaj Singh, Harjot Singh and a 84 year old Volunteer
lovingly referred to as Bapu Ji
lovingly referred to as Bapu Ji
Preetmohan Singh of The Interfaith Alliance speaking on how to handle bullying and teasing in schools.
Darshpreet Singh from San Antonio, an Amrit-dhari basketball player at Trinity University as well as a regular counselor at the Camp Gurmat, said "We are the utmost thankful for the knowledge of Bhai Gurdarshan Singh, Head Granthi of Camp Gurmat and Guru Gobind Singh Foundation, who has excellent communication skills on teaching the Sikh scriptures to either a Punjabi or American audience. It is individuals like him who can relate to the Sikh youth in America and be able to teach Sikhism in manners that are easily understood by them."
Bhai Gurdarshan Singh instructing during the Kirtan class.
Saturday 12th August, marked the grand finale of the Camp Gurmat 2006. In the divan all the students presented hymns or speeches to the utter delight of their parents. A grand Tabla presentation by the students learning tabla with Bhai Rajinder Pal Singh in lead enthralled the audience and left every one spell bound. Bhai Rajinder Pal Singh, an illustrious Tabla player created an enthusiasm among youth to learn the art of tabla. He also teaches tabla to many youths in the Washington metro area.
Bhai Rajinder Pal Singh teaching tabla.
Amrit Kaur, secretary of the GGSF said, "Camp Gurmat was a phenomenal success in every aspect. It was able to inspire the love and longing for the Guru and redefined the importance of Sikh identity. During camp, teenager Sherman Singh announced his pledge to come back to Sikhi form and keep unshorn hair. It was a moment of great rejoice and accomplishment for the Camp Management. With WaheGuru's grace this camp came to an end with promise of another one next year."
Volunteers at the Camp.
Guru Gobind Singh Foundation excels in its Youth oriented programs and this camp was another milestone in its long journey.
Campers on a scavenger hunt with Counselor Japkeerat Singh of NJ.
posted by sartaj at 10:35 PM
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