Sikh Student Camp – Chigwell, England

It’s been quite the busy week meeting with different people and doing other fun things with new friends from the camps. Ashvinder just left this morning to return to Singapore and Mandip is off at the airport getting ready to go to India tomorrow. So… I have a little time to catch up on the blog and write a journal entry.

I have really had such a great experience being here in England, particularly at the Sikh Student Camp. This was DEFINITELY the high point of my visit. If I left after that week I would have been satisfied. I guess I kind of figured that the camp might just be “business as usual”. But to my surprise I had an amazing experience. This camp is truly unique.

Much of my experience with other Sikhs has left the overall impression of Sikhs in general being very critical, judgmental, and close minded. So…even though I knew that this camp was focused on Sikhs who might not really know that much about Sikhi, and had a very openminded approach, I didn’t expect to have the experiences that I did.

There was such a mix of unique people that shared so much. The approach of the camp was really great. I watched as everyone around me transformed as they had different experiences at the camp. Everything that was taught was done so in such an openminded way. Everyone was able to participate and do things that they might never have done. It allowed people to really experience sikhi in a way that many have never experienced. During the week it was like I was in a different world. It was like I was in a bubble at the camp and totally involved in the activies.

My heart really opened up at the camp. There was so much love and joy from everyone. It was contagious. There were some campers that outwardly did not look like Sikhs but were so spiritual and had some amazing things to say. It really surprised me. It really goes to show that given the right environment people can really open up and blossom.

The last few days of the camp I was so full of love and joy. Every time we got together and sang shabad kirtan in the Gurdwara tears would flow. I don’t know why. I wasn’t sad. This is the same experience that I normally have when I go to the Summer Solstice camp in Espanola. Guruji was definitely present with us at camp. You could feel it in the air.

I know I haven’t really said many specifics about the camp, but there is soo much. I don’t even know where to start. Every aspect of it was great. The sangat of people there really did make the experience. The sevadhars of the camp really have to be commended. They worked really hard to organize this week long camp. I wish there could be camps like this all over and much more frequently.

The Sikh youth of today are so confused and don’t really have a chance to experience sikhi. There is so much judgment and closemindedness that it pushes our youth away. It is sad to see this. However, when I go to camps like this and meet beautiful singhs and singhnis like I did…. I feel that there is hope. Slowly I know things will change.

I highly recommend that you participate in the camp next summer. I will definitely try to come again next year. This will be a visit to remember. I look forward to traveling more and meeting sangat in other places around the world. It has been a blessing for me to be a part of this all. We all have so much to learn and share with eachother.

Chardikala!

6 Responses to “Sikh Student Camp – Chigwell, England”

1. Darsh KHALSA says:

   September 1, 2005 at 5:22 am

   SSA GURUMUSTUK SINGH JI. I just wanted to know whether Mandip singh ji is coming to punjab? if yes then here is my number 911615534097. plz tell him to contact me i’ll b thankful to u.

2. Gurinder says:

   September 1, 2005 at 10:50 am

   Gurumustuk singh ji,

   thank you for sharing these wonderful experiences at youth camp. I hope you will elborate more on the discussions that took place and also about waking up 3AM for mediatation( simran) ,So that we can understand our inner selves.

3. nsingh says:

   September 1, 2005 at 4:31 pm

   wjkk, wjkf

   Gurumustuk singh as u have been to both the “sikh student camp” and khalsa camp,i was wondering if u can compare them and what makes them and elborate on the discussions and the general environment of eash camp.

4. Jaspal says:

   September 1, 2005 at 6:51 pm

   Waheguru Waheguru Waheguru
   Waheguru Waheguru Waheguru
   Waheguru Waheguru Waheguru

   SHALOK, THIRD MEHL:
   The filth of countless incarnations sticks to this mind; it has become pitch black. The oily rag cannot be cleaned by merely washing it, even if it is washed a hundred times. By Gurus Grace, one remains dead while yet alive; his intellect is transformed, and he becomes detached from the world. O Nanak, no filth sticks to him, and he does not fall into the womb again. || 1 || THIRD MEHL: Kali Yuga is called the Dark Age, but the most sublime state is attained in this age. The Gurmukh obtains the fruit, the Kirtan of the Lords Praises; this is his destiny, ordained by the Lord. O Nanak, by Gurus Grace, he worships the Lord night and day; he chants the Lords Name, and remains absorbed in the Lords devotional worship. || 2 || PAUREE: O Lord, unite me with the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, so that with my mouth, I may speak the sublime Word of the Gurus Bani. I sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord, and constantly chant the Lords Name; through the Gurus Teachings, I enjoy the Lords Love constantly. I take the medicine of meditation on the Lords Name, which has cured all diseases and multitudes of sufferings. Those who do not forget the Lord, while breathing or eating know them to be the perfect servants of the Lord. Those Gurmukhs who worship the Lord in adoration end their subservience to the Messenger of Death, and to the world. || 22 ||

   Thursday, 17th Bhaadon (Samvat 537 Nanakshahi) (Page: 651)

   Sadh Sangat of the Holy is a blessing if you can find it.

   Waheguru Waheguru Waheguru

5. BCSikhYouth says:

   September 2, 2005 at 2:48 pm

   gurumustuk singh ji,

   vaheguru ji ka khalsa,
   vaheguru ji ki fatheh!

   _/_

   could you please explain to us what is the difference between “sikhi camp”, “sikh student camp”, “khalsa camp”, and also i heard there is a “boss camp?”

   thank you

   vaheguru ji ka khalsa,
   vaheguru ji ki fatheh !

6. Harbir says:

   July 1, 2007 at 2:26 pm

   regarding the question on comparison between sikhi camp (boss camp), sikh student camp and khalsa camp.

   They are all sikhi camps they are just run by different organisations. All three camps are great! They are all unforgetable experiences. Definately worth going to one!

   The first camp i went to was the boss sikhi camp and it changed my life, so i have a special connection with that camp.

   Definitely check one out!