Sikh Summer Camp for Children

Source: The Dallas Morning News

On July 31, 1999, The Dallas Morning News published anarticle on Sikh Camp at the Sikh Temple of North Texas in Garland,TX. It is a two-week camp for children ages 5-14 that immerses Sikhchildren in their faith, which is an experience rarely felt inAmerican culture. The camp, in its 14th year, has drawn 30 childrenthis year. Ritika Vohra, whose two daughters attend the camp, stated:"This is an opportunity for them to socialize with one another, andthat's one of the most important things that we can give them here."Ellie Pierce, Project Manager for the Pluralism Project at HarvardUniversity, states that these summer camps are important for Sikhs:"When you're the only Sikh in your school or your neighborhood, it'svery important that they have these camps so they can spend time withtheir peers...It gives them a chance to relax. There's virtually noknowledge of Sikhism in this country, and they have to start atGround Zero with most people." There are about 500 Sikh families inthe Dallas-Fort Worth area, and the United States has a Sikhpopulation of approximately 150,000.