The Akal International Youth Camp is organized annually at Baru Sahib in the months of July and August. This camp ensures that Sikh children of today are taught Sikh tenets and exposed to the Sikh way of life. The basic tenets of Sikhism teach us to share, to perform Sewa (selfless service), to enjoy Naam Simran (divine meditation), and to promote universal brotherhood. It advocates us to dismantle all barriers and boundaries and embrace humanity. All Sikhs are instructed to pray for Sarbat Da Bhala (the blessing of God for all religions, races and societies without discrimination). Today the Western world is enamored with being cosmopolitan, of becoming a citizen of the world, a modern idea which Guru Nanak enunciated five centuries ago. The relevance of Sikh religion and the Sikh way of life is, thus, more important today than ever before. This camp hopes to inspire the cosmopolitan spirit in Sikh youth, to encourage them to maintain their distinct identity and heritage across the globe, wherever they may be.

The objective of the camp is to give an opportunity to the Sikh children from the USA and other Western countries to get acquainted with Sikh culture, Sikh history, Sikh scriptures, language, Sikh literature and with the glorious Sikh heritage. They are given first-hand exposure to the unique concept of Akal Academies blending spiritual education with modern conventional schooling. The focus is on teaching young enthusiasts Punjabi, Kirtan, Nitnem, Sikh History & Gurmat and above all the ' Sikh Way of Life'.

This year, Akal International Youth Camp is being organized from 4 to 31 July. Several NRI campers arrived at Delhi Airport on July 2 & 3. After their brief stay in Delhi at F-3, Rajouri Garden, New Delhi, they were escorted to Baru Sahib with utmost care in air-conditioned cabs. On their arrival at Baru Sahib, all the campers experienced the heavenly bliss as they found themselves in 'The Valley of Divine Peace".

After one month of a novel learning experience in 'The Valley of Divine Peace', finally came the time of the closing ceremony of the 5th Akal International Youth Camp 2008. On 29 July 2008, the campers performed the closing ceremony of the camp from 9am to 11am in Darbar Sahib. The children were dressed beautifully. The girls were dressed in white and the boys in blue. The whole environment was very touching. The campers were to show their skills that they had learnt from their teachers in the month-long camp.

The whole ceremony was a memorable one. The children performed their best. No one could believe that these children had learnt so much in 4 weeks. The courage of the children was highly appreciable. All the people were amazed to see these young children's performance. The campers displayed their skills on Tabla and stringed musical instruments (Tanti Saaz). They recited Gurbani Kirtan as well as songs of valor.

After the performance of campers, 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. They also greeted the newly arrived campers from England.

The mementos were given to all the campers by Maj. Barinder Singh. Outstanding achievements trophies were awarded by revered Baba Ji to the campers. After that Baba Ji gave Siropa to the volunteers who served selflessly for the success of the Akal International Youth Camp.

Baba Iqbal Singh Ji praised the campers for their endeavor to learn Gurmat and was happy for their upliftment as an individual for treading the path of Gurmat shown by the Gurus. He told all the children not to forget whatever they had learnt from the camp and try to apply this learning in their daily routine and become role-models for others. He hoped that the campers would attend the next year's camp too.

The closing ceremony was attended by Baba Ji, Maj. Barinder Singh, Dr. Davinder Singh (Principal, Akal Academy), Dr. Neelam Kaur (Vice Principal, Akal Academy), Er. Amarjeet Singh (Director, AIYC) and Mrs. Paramjeet Kaur (Director - Operations, AIYC).

SCHEDULE:

1. Tabla (Jugal Bandi)
Jaikar Singh, Shehbaj Singh, Angaddeep Singh, Amritpal Singh, Bhavdeep Singh, Mankirat Singh, Mehtaab Singh

2. Rakha Ek Hamara Soami
Jugad Singh, Harjeet Singh

3. Tu Ei Roop Khalsa Mera
Jugad Singh, Harjeet Singh

4. Kawan Gun Praanpati Milio Meri Mai
Agam Singh

5. Aao Ghare Mere Man Chao Pradesi Ve
Kiran Kaur, Gurneet Kaur

6. Asi Laadlay Lal Dashmesh De Haan
Ishmeet Singh, Gurfateh Singh

7. Mei Banjaaran Ram Ki
Simran Kaur, Jasdeep Kaur

8. Bhalay Nindio Bhalay Nindio (Tanti Saaz)
Amritpal Singh

9. Singha Lagg Gaye Nay Lakhan Rog Tainu
Gursimranjeet Singh, Shubhkarman Singh

10. Thir Ghar Baiso Har Jan Pyare
Gursimranjeet Singh, Shubhkarman Singh

11. Guru Nanak Mehma
Navdeep Singh, Gurjeet Singh, Ishmeet Singh, Gurfateh Singh

12. Shaheedan Di Kaum
Angaddeep Singh

13. Deh Shiva Bar Mohe Ihe
Mehtab Singh

14. Jis Da Sahib Daadha Hoe
Jasmin Kaur, Ashly Nicolas Heyden, Gursevak Singh

15. Chhotey Sahibzade Aye Soobay Di Kachehri
Kiran Kaur, Gurneet Kaur, Simran Kaur

16. Shaant Pai Gur Satgur Pooray
Ismeet Singh

17. Mann De Ram Diya Hai Mol
Angaddeep Singh

18. Sikh Naujwana Nu Nasihat
Agam Singh

19. Mai Mere Mann Ki Pyas
Ritu Kaur Behan Ji

20. Simrat Baid Puraan Pukaran Pothia
Avtar Singh Vir Ji

21. We are the Khalsa
Nandeep Singh, Gurjeet Singh

Sant Attar Singh Ji and his divine associate Sant Teja Singh Ji followed the footsteps of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and envisioned the way to universal peace by imparting spiritual education along with conventional scientific education. As a result, a chain of more than 40 Akal Academies has been established all over Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh in Northern India.

By the grace of Almighty God, fifth Akal International Youth Camp was organized at Akal Academy, Baru Sahib, Distt. Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh, India. The camp was a humble step to spread the divine message of universal brotherhood and peace as enunciated by Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

The camp was organized exclusively for the children of USA and Canada. This four-week camp lasted from July 3 to July 31, 2008. Forty children with age varying from 6 to 23 years attended the camp along with some of their parents and had a chance to get divine experience at the land of meditation, i.e. Baru Sahib. 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 campers. Each camper was evaluated individually and performance targets were fixed accordingly. Greater emphasis was laid on learning Punjabi language and Gurbani in Gurmukhi script. One-to-on