Sikh society takes part in ScoutJam 2016

Posted October 23, 2016 11:00 pm

Submitted by Rajinder Singh Mago

Volunteers from the Sikh Religious Society in Palatine tie turbans to the heads of Boy Scouts at the Interfaith tent during ScoutJam 2016. Courtesy of Rajinder Singh Mago

The Sikh Religious Society, Palatine, participated in the Northeast Illinois Council's ScoutJam 2016 at Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda Saturday Oct. 1.

More than 1,100 Boy Scouts, leaders and parents attended this camp, which ran from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. Visit www.neic.org/Events/ScoutJam2016.

The Sikhs were part of an Interfaith Religious Relationship tent, which aimed to create partnerships with and awareness about religious diversity and to teach respect for each other to strengthen the bonds of Scouting. There are Sikh religious badges that Scouts can earn as well.

Rajinder Singh Mago coordinated the Sikh participation with the help of about a dozen dedicated volunteers.

There were many fun activities at the camp like canoeing, sailing, biking, archery, kayaking, fishing, wall climbing, scuba diving, rope bridge crossing, etc. There were also exhibits and displays, including fire truck operations, K-9 Patrol demonstrations and the interfaith tent, where Sikh American volunteers had setup their booth.

The most popular activity under the Sikh tent turned out to be turban tying, where there were long lines of Scouts waiting to get a turban fixed on their head. About 200 free turbans were tied and given away before the turban fabric ran out, disappointing many waiting in line.

The Scouts wore their colorful turbans most of the day during their camping activities.

"The Sikh booth was the busiest with visitors, and the turban tying activity was a big hit," said Tom Nagelhout, Interfaith tent coordinator.

"Participation in this event provided invaluable exposure to hundreds of local young Americans about Sikhs, who usually are mistaken due to their beards and turbans. How can someone who has donned a turban for whole day ever forget who the Sikhs are?" said Rajinder Singh Mago, the coordinator of the Sikh booth.

A history of Sikh soldier's contribution to World War I & II was displayed through posters by Sarwan Singh Raju. Basic information about who are the Sikhs was disseminated to the campers by Gaurav Singh and Parminder Singh Mann. Dr. Hardarshan Singh Valia set up a display of "Mother Earth," explaining the ecosystem and how the earth and minerals are formed and timed.

Iqbal Singh Chopra, Surinder Pal Singh Kalra, Khushpal Singh Sodhi, Prempal Singh, Lal Singh, Karamjit Kaur, Gursher Singh, Gurlal Singh, Irwinpreet Singh Bagri, and Mat Singh Dhillon helped out with the turban tying.

Sikh prayer hymns were also sung at the after dinner prayer assembly by the Sikh youth group of Harnoor Kaur, Jasleen Kaur, Gurleen Kaur and Harjot Singh, coordinated by Jaswant Singh.

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ScoutJam 2016 visitors listen to a presentation on the ecosystem and how the earth and minerals were formed from a member of the Sikh Religious Society. Courtesy of Rajinder Singh Mago

Visitors to the Interfaith tent at ScoutJam 2016 received colorful turbans from members of the Sikh Religious Society. The Boy Scouts learned about religious diversity and Sikh history. Courtesy of Rajinder Singh Mago

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