Bilston Camp Report – 14 February 2003

Saturday 14 th February marked the day when the first youth camp was held at Bilston Gurdwara by the Sikh Naujawan Academy (Bilston). With an amazing turn out, the Gurdwara was buzzing from the atmosphere of curious minds and active children from the ages of 8 years up to the age of early 20s to 30s. The main part of the day aimed to hear the views of the children and the issues, which faced them at school, colleges and universities and whether the Sikh community had in any way contributed a system of support for them.

After hearing the hukamnama of the day being translated, groups were split up and started off an informal discussion involving introductions and basic impressions of Sikhi as well as expectations of the day ahead. After getting to know one another everyone headed for the langar hall for a hearty breakfast of paronteh or Frosties lay waiting for us. After being fully charged for the rest of the day it was time to begin learning more about Sikhi.

A short talk was given by Jujhar Singh regarding the etiquette of the Darbar Sahib in particularly focusing upon how to mutha tekh in front of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Dhavinder Singh and Gurbinder Singh then addressed the camp participants and informed them of the next part of the day that would involve the conducting of a needs analysis to find out the needs of the Sikh youth in the community.

Their PowerPoint presentation was based on identifying the needs of the Sikh youth and community in general, ranging from improvements in education to the possible production of youth club facilities in Gurdwaras. Once the PowerPoint presentation was completed, the sangat was separated into four different age groups and discussed the following issues:

Education/Health
Youth activities/Sports
Bullying and support in the community
Youth Camps

The groups were organized according to ages, which allowed all members of the group to discuss the predicaments that were collectively faced. This gave a basis of a wide range of views and requirements of youth. Once the groups had completed their discussions and friendly debates all the suggestions and views were collected and displayed in front of all of the sangat. The overall conclusions drawn were that there needs to be some form of a support structure set up for the Sikh youth in society so that they have people to encourage them to reach their goals and aspirations in life (i.e. Mentors and role models) along with other people who they could approach if faced problems at home, school, college and university for advice and support. Suggestions were made such as producing youth community centers where martial arts could be taught and a place where young Sikhs could congregate. Bullying was also an issue raised which had to be tackled however, there were cases of bullying from the people who attended the camp, to resolve issues like this there is a Sikh help line, which can help you through problems you are facing. It opened a unique opportunity for people to speak up and express what they felt was required to reduce problems. A collective organization of Sikhs helping those who are deprived of the luxuries in life to not only portray a good image for Sikhi but to put Sikhi in action in everyday life would be an improvement.

Following the hard work langar was served of the tradition chips, beans and ice cream and the participants were all given the chance to unwind, relax and discuss amongst themselves what the morning had taught them. After this further relaxation in the form of watching short films made by other young members of the community were shown which discussed issues such as the caste system, problems associated with Vaisakhi in the western world and sewa. This was followed by Giani Sukha Singh accompanied by participants of the camp doing naam simran together on stage with the rest of the sangat, which everybody fully enjoyed. The day was then rounded up with a Gatka demonstration led by Dalwinder Singh with young members of the akhara.

Overall the camp was a success and hopefully to continue providing camps and activities for the youth to make the younger generation more aware.

Harminder Kaur & Gaganjit Singh

Further information contact
G Sukha Singh   07956 938737    E-Mail : SNA

Sikh Naujawan Academy UK