SYA is committed to actively pioneering initiatives and projects aimed at empowering Sikh youth and helping the wider community through seva and activism. Here you will find information on some of our current and past initiatives.
If you would like to get involved with any of these projects or have an idea for a new project, please let us know.
SUMMER YOUTH CAMPS
SYA has been successfully running our annual summer youth camps for the past 12 years. The SYA summer youth camp is an opportunity to make new friends and have fun, while also having the ability to immerse in knowledge and understanding of Sikhism and be able to grow spiritually.
Our youth camps have been described as “A most exciting, educational and enjoyable experience.” Each year we have outstanding facilitators from all around the world who are able to educate and inspire our youth in an interactive, fun and relaxed learning environment with English as the primary medium. The Summer Camps are not just an all day Gurdwara session as there are recreational activities every afternoon, including sailing, swimming, kayaking, ropes courses, archery, and soccer.
At our SYA Summer Youth Camps, every participant will learn values and skills such as team work, co-operation, leadership and respect for others. By the end of the camp each participant, no matter how young or old, will leave with at least one thing they didn’t have before they arrived, whether they have learnt something new, created a new friendship or discovered something about themselves.
LEADERSHIP CAMPS
In 2005 Sikh Youth Australia initiated annual leadership camps for young Sikhs aged 18 years and above. The aim was to empower Sikh youths with leadership skills and qualities so they could progress in their chosen careers. The camps also enable them to work as teams, thus gaining a better understanding of how to form and maintain strong relationships with others. Today, these youths also act as advocates for a Sikh way of life. They have benefited from the camps by gaining a better understanding of their own goals and directions in life.
The leadership camps not only provide a platform for Australian Sikh youth to demonstrate and share the leadership qualities and skills that they may have attained, but to gain further knowledge from local and international Sikhs in highly regarded leadership positions who are more than willing to mentor and encourage the camp participants.
The camps also allow the Sikh youth of Australia to network with others. The camps also serve as a forum for them to discuss topical issues of today. Camp participants usually come away with a new outlook on life and eyes wide open to the endless opportunities ready to be seized!
AUSTRAL BLOOD DRIVE
To donate blood, is to give another the "gift of life”. It is something that nearly every individual can and should do for others in the community. Sadly, only 5 per cent of eligible donors across the nation actually donate blood. SYA has taken up the initiative to perform this wonderful seva to benefit our wider community by donating much needed blood to those who require transfusions. The first of our annual blood drive saw around 250 people from all over Sydney; as far as Penrith and Newtown, give blood. At least 70 per cent of the donors were donating for the first time.
AUSTRAL YOUTH KIRTAN
The Austral Youth Satsang is a program run by the Sikh youth and is held once a month, every month, at Austral Gurdwara. It provides Sikh youth with the opportunity to maintain not only the amazing spiritual connection established at the annual SYA summer camp, but to sustain the wonderful friendships that they will have made. It is a great experience for our youth as it allows them to actively participate in Gurdwarra by leading Rehraas, performing kirtan and doing various forms of seva. Our monthly Youth Satsang is great fun for the whole family and enables youth to mingle with others in our community while creating a healthy routine of going to Gurdwara.
SIKH SCOUTS
SYA has been working with Scouts Australia over the past year or so to train and certify 11 Sikh Scout leaders. We hope to establish a Sikh Scouts Australia Chapter in the very near future. If you are interested in the initiative or would like to help launch the program, we would love to hear from you! Contact us HERE
