Mandeep Singh

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SYANA 2022 Gurmat Camp Updates

UPDATE #1 (June 15th)

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫ਼ਤਹਿ॥

SYANA 2022 campers:

Camp is just under a month away and we are looking forward to a fun-filled week with Sangat, learning, and Keertan!

IT’S BEEN THREE YEARS!
After 3 long years, we are looking forward to seeing our camp family once again! We are back at the YMCA Camp Copneconic and are excited to partner with them again to provide you with a positive, meaningful experience.

We look forward to meeting old friends and, of course, making new friends. Each year, our SYANA family continues to grow and we can’t wait to make new memories this year! We have a number of special activities planned for the week and are excited about the time we will all be spending together soon.

It is our hope that as we sit together during Divaans and learn from each other through our various classes, we can capture a glimpse of the Sikh way of life, and kindle a journey that sustains throughout the year.

Below are a few important details related to the camp this year, so please read in its entirety.

1. All campers should arrive between 2:30 PM and 4:30 PM on Sunday, July 3rd.

2. If you are traveling by air, bus or train, please notify us with your travel plans, no later than June 18th at info@sikhyouthalliance.org so that we can make arrangements for your transportation to/from the campsite. The closest airport is Flint, MI but we can also pick up from Detroit, MI

3. We will have Keertan classes each day and in order to gain the most from your class, it’s important you have your own vaajaa or portable keyboard. We will have extra vaajaas available as well but feel free to bring your own if you are able to!

4. Make sure to have enough Dastaars, Chunnies/bandanas for the week. It is a camp requirement that your head be covered throughout the day. We will have daily dastaar tying classes and extra material as well for those that would like to learn how to tie dastaar / Pugh.

5. This year, we will be offering a variety of water activities. If you are interested in going in the water, please make sure to bring appropriate attire. We do ask that both Singhs and Kaurs wear t-shirts and shorts with their swim gear.

6. Please bring a reusable water/sport bottle – it can become hot around the campsite and it’s important that all campers drink plenty of water throughout the day. Make sure your bottle is labeled with your name and state.
7. Counselors will be reaching out to you soon as we prepare for camp – please be on the lookout for their emails.

8. Please note that the last day to withdraw from camp and receive a refund is June 16th. After this date, there will be no refunds.

Again, we are excited to see you all soon! Information on pickup and drop-off as well as COVID testing prior to arrival is forthcoming, so please look out for our next communication. Please let us know if you have any questions!

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫ਼ਤਹਿ॥

UPDATE #2 (June 15th)

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫ਼ਤਹਿ॥

SYANA 2022 campers:

Campers are you ready?!!! Let the countdown for this year’s camp begin! Just over 3 more weeks before camp and things are bustling to get ready for our “back in person” experience!

We wanted to give you all ample time to become familiar with the Theme Shabad for this year!

Each year the Theme Shabad helps set the tone for discussions during Divaan and provides a focal point for thought and reflection as the camp progresses. This year, the theme Shabad is:

ਮਤ ਕੋ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੁਲੈ ਸੰਸਾਰਿ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਬਿਨੁ ਕੋਇ ਨ ਉਤਰਸਿ ਪਾਰਿ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
mat ko Bharam Bhulai sansaar. gur bin koay n utras paar .1.rahaao.

Learn Kirtan

A video Tutorial that includes the tune and notations for this Shabad was thoughtfully made by our friends at the @LearnKirtan channel. For those who are interested in learning Kirtan, feel free to visit the channel to explore more tutorials. You can access the link for our camp theme Shabad here.

 

We encourage you to listen ahead of time to this Shabad and become familiar with the words. If you feel like attempting the Shabad, feel free to start learning the tune now.

We will be singing this Shabad together for every morning and evening diwan as well as learning and reflecting on the meaning and application of this Shabad throughout our week together!

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫ਼ਤਹਿ॥

UPDATE #3 (June 16th)

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫ਼ਤਹਿ॥

We will soon be together again as SYANA Gurmat Camp 2022 returns to our “in person” format for the first time since the COVID pandemic began. We are aiming to provide as safe of an environment as possible for all our campers and volunteers and want to remind you of our COVID mitigation efforts:

Prior to arrival at Camp
Every camper and volunteer must upload one of the following (an online form will be provided as we get closer to camp):

  • A negative PCR or NAAT test within 72 hours of arrival at camp.
  • These are currently being given at no cost via large pharmacies. Please reach out if you have questions.
    We will not accept at home rapid antigen testing
  • Proof of Covid-19 infection within the last 90 days (but greater than 10 days) of camp start date
  • We will be providing a link closer to camp for uploading your tests.

Campers and volunteers will NOT be admitted to camp if this has not been completed.

Drop off at Camp
We will only be allowing parents/guardians to exit their vehicles to assist in moving a camper’s belongings to a specified drop off point (outside).

Parents/Guardians will not be allowed to enter the dorms or kitchen. We will have volunteers available to help your children get situated inside their dorm.

There will be an outdoor pavilion area for parents/guardians to get tea/water/snacks before they return home. There will also be one designated restroom for parents/guardians to use during drop-off.

During Camp
The traditional final day program will NOT be open this year to arriving parents/families. We will send out specifics on pick up procedures as we get closer to camp.

There will be no “day” visitors allowed at the campsite. Only those campers and volunteers registered will be permitted on campgrounds.

Currently, masks are not required at the YMCA Copneconic but this is subject to change based on community infection rates at the time of camp.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with the CDC, is offering summer camps COVID tests for use onsite if needed for children that may become ill. We may conduct limited testing at camp for symptomatic patients. This does not replace the need for pre-arrival testing.

We realize that despite the above measures, it is quite possible that someone may contract COVID while at camp. Should a child or volunteer test positive for COVID-19, we will quarantine them immediately and notify the appropriate parent/guardian to arrange early pick up.
We are certainly planning for a safe week and hope the precautions we are taking will prevent any COVID outbreaks from happening, but as we have seen from the past 2 years, it is difficult to predict all possible scenarios.

Please understand we are attempting to do everything we can to ensure a safe environment and a successful experience for your child(ren).

Let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫ਼ਤਹਿ॥

UPDATE #4 (June 15th)

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫ਼ਤਹਿ॥

SYANA 2022 Campers! Camp is only 2 weeks away and we are looking forward to seeing you soon! Our sevadaars have been busy planning a fun-packed and educational week, where we can enjoy each other’s company and learn together amongst our sangat. As camp is quickly approaching, we wanted to send out a few quick reminders!

Please submit your flight information using this GOOGLE FORM no later than Saturday, June 25th. After that date we can not guarantee a ride for you. PLEASE NOTE: If you have already sent your information to us via email, please resend using the link, as some information was not provided and this will help us ensure timely pick up.

Celebrations!!
If you are celebrating a birthday or a recent graduation (from High School, College, or Grad School!) please email us and let us know…we want to celebrate with our entire SYANA Family! 🙂

Stay Hydrated
Water Bottles
Please bring a reusable water/sport bottle and make sure to label it with your name – it can become hot around the campsite and it is important that all campers (and volunteers!) drink plenty of water throughout the day.

What to bring
F.A.Q.
A list of items to bring to camp is on our FAQ on our website. Please take a look at this to make sure you are prepared for the week.

Got a Phone? See below …
During our week together, we want to be fully present so we can enjoy each other’s company and connect with one another. Therefore, we will be limiting the use of cellphones at camp.

Phones will not be permitted during class time, Divaan, or evening activities. Campers will only be permitted to call home during meal and break times.

Our days are quite busy! Our day starts with an approximate wake up time of 6 am, followed by Divaan and Classes (Keertan, Guru History, Sikh History, and Gatka).

In the afternoon, we have some downtime/rest time, followed by Free time, where several fun activities will be planned. In the evening, we have divaan again, followed by evening activities. Our day wraps up around 9:30 – 10 pm.

We provide 3 full meals with 2-3 snack times daily. Be ready to pack in a lot of learning and fun into our days!

 

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2019 Gurmat Retreat: Update #4

Third Workshop: 

Beyond Duality: Exploring Asa Ki Vaar

Every morning for the last five hundred years, Sikhs have gathered together to sing Asa ki Var. Guru Nanak Sahib (with some Slokhs from Guru Angad Sahib) revealed this Bani to destroy the idea of duality and so that the unity of Ik Oan Kar could reign supreme.

Explore with us as we examine how Guru Sahib tackles the duality of our thoughts; how we separate the Creator from Creation. We will learn how he challenges the duality in our actions, how our inauthenticity and hypocrisy comes in the way of a genuine love for Vahiguru.

Finally we will see how Guru Sahib seeks to expose the duality of our societies. The categories we create between pure and impure, good and bad. Let us try and feel a glimpse of the awe that Guru Ji felt upon seeing a fully connected and unified Divinely infused universe.

Moderator: Santbir Singh (ON)

Chardhi Kala!

Vaaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaaheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

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Gurmat Retreat: Update #5


Vaaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa  Vaaheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

We are one week away and hope you are as excited as we are!
We’ve got info to share, so look below.


SCHEDULE

This year’s schedule is now up on the retreat website. While there might be some minor changes, this will give you an idea of what to expect for the weekend.

(You can click on the individual workshops to see a brief description)

 

WHAT TO BRING

    • Bring bedding (sheets/blanket/pillow)
    • Appropriate clothing
    • Towel
    • Toiletries
    • Tennis shoes and athletic wear

The YMCA Camp Storer offers a variety of activities and amenities at the campsite. Mornings and evenings are often cooler and afternoons can warm up significantly.

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2018 SYANA Gurmat Retreat: Missed the deadline? Fear not!

LATE TO REGISTER FOR RETREAT? MISSED THE DEADLINE?
FEAR NOT!

We’ve extended the registration deadline to Sunday, May 13th @9:00 pm!

SYANA Gurmat Retreat is four days of being surrounded by Sangat, immersing yourself in daily divaans and taking part in engaging discussions and various workshops. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity and make sure you register!

We look forward to seeing you May 25th to May 28th at  YMCA Camp Storer!

Click here to register.

ALREADY REGISTERED …

… help us spread the word! Let your friends know that you’re going to retreat by using the hashtag #syana2018 and tagging us – @syalliance!

We’ll be keeping a lookout for your posts!

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