The Guyana Central Arya Samaj (GCAS), along with the Berbice Central Arya Samaj (BCA), jointly hosted the 50th Annual Arya Vir Dal Shikshan Shivir (Annual Youth Camp) at the No. 78 Vishwamitra Vedic Mandir, Corentyne, Berbice. This camp was a part of the week of activities to commemorate the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of Arya Vir Dal (AVD) in Guyana. This 7-Day Camp was held from August 6th to August 13th. Youths from all the regions of Guyana assembled at this annual event where they were exposed to Vedic Philosophy, Hindi, Music, Physical and Social Activities. Males (virs) and females (viranganas) were equally welcomed and a total number of 120 students were enrolled. Although there was an age restriction of 12 years and above, those below this age were accomodated.

Registration & Opening Activities
Registration began on Sunday Morning and after lunch, all students, parents and guests took part in the Opening Ceremony of 50th Anniversary Celebrations of Arya Vir Dal in Guyana which was held in No. 71 Village. This Grand Opening Ceremony was held at the Massiah Government School at No. 71 Village – the site where the first ever Arya Vir Dal Youth Camp was held in 1956. At this ceremony, surviving graduates of the 1st camp and youths of the 50th camp sat in prayers as they performed a religious ceremony (Havan Yajna). During the ceremony a Ceremonial Light (Arya Deepak) was passed from Pt. Ramlall (of the 1st Camp) to Bhai Vedanand Dayaram (of the 50th Camp) signifying the passing on of the Light of Vedic Knowledge from generation to generation. The youths of the 50th Camp were also enthrusted with a ceremonial scarf (angocha) and headwear (kishti). After this ceremony, a Grand Aryadeep Road Procession then ensued as the Ceremonial Light (Aryadeep) was transferred from the 1st Camp Site to the 50th Camp Site. All the youths, with their parents and other supporters took part this very significant road procession along the No. 78 Village Roadway. On arrival at the camp, the Ceremonial Opening of the 7-day youth camp was held with the hoisting of flags.

Administration & Time-Table
Funding for the entire camp was supported jointly by the GCAS-50th Anniversary Fund, the BCA-50th Anniversary Fund and other donations locally. The Camp Director, Pt. Kamal Dhanesar, along with the 50th Anniversary Secretariat organised the various lectures and activities for the students during the week.

The students were provided with all the necessary stationery needed for the camp sessions - notebooks, pens, bags etc. They were all given a Shivir Booklet which contained important information on the Arya Vir Dal, it's objectives, common prayers and songs used during the camp and the camp time-table. The time -table began at 5am in the morning and closed at 10pm daily. See below:



During the week, the youths of the camp were involved in lecture sessions from religious scriptures, on social issues, music and Hindi. They were also given a chance to be involved in various physical and interactive activities such as touring the area, games, competitions, debates, boat rides etc. Lectures were delivered by local pandits and guest-speakers and also the International Guests.

Special Activities
On Tuesday 8th August, an HIV/AIDS workshop was organized in collaboration with the Ministry Of Health. The workshop lasted for 4 hours so only the basic and most needed information was given to participants through the following exercises: What is HIV? What is AIDS? What are STI’s? Symptoms of HIV, AIDS and STI’s. How can someone get HIV and not get HIV? How we can prevent HIV? All exercises planned were done, participants were not afraid to ask questions which led to a discussion on the transmission of HIV from mother to child. The topics received full participation and participants were seemingly hungry for more information but time did not permit. Participants were given a Pre-test and Post-test as a form of evaluating them before and after the workshop.

On Wednesday 9th the students were involved in cleaning and beautifying the children’s playground in the Rampoor area of No. 78 Village as part of a community outreach. The virs were involved in the weeding of the overgrown grass in the playground and the planting of flower plants. The girls were involved in painting and the creation of three banners that were placed on the fence of the playground. This activity was funded by the New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir Humanitarian Mission which also rehabilited the play equipment (swings, see-saws), purchased more of such equipment and painted the area.

From the 7th to the 9th of August, the students were involved in the three days of Veda Yajnas which were held in the evenings. Members of the public were invited to attend.

On the 10th of August, during the afternoon interactive session, there was a much anticipated debate session where virs competed against the viranganas. In the afternoon, they were all treated to a boat ride on the Corentyne River, compliments of Bhai Ramdass of the No. 78 Village Mandir. On the evening of the 10th of August, the students had an evening of Manoranjan where they took part in an Antakshari Contest between the virs and viranganas.

A Special Essay-Writing Competition was organised by the camp officials due to the kind courtesy of Dr. & Mrs. Sukhdev Soni - who funded the prizes. There were Junior and Senior Categories and approximately 57 Book Prizes were given out to all the students who wrote commendable essays.

The senior students attended the 2nd Biennial Arya Samaj Conference held at the Skeldon High School Auditorium from the 11th-12th August. After listening to the various presentations, they were integrately involved interactive sessions.

The students also were treated to an Evening of Folk Songs (Hamari Sanskriti) which was organised on the evening of Friday 11th for the International Delegates. They enjoyed themselves listening to the folk songs, wedding songs, taan songs etc.

Then on Saturday Evening, August 12th, youths from different temples across Guyana performed at the “Arya Yuva Sangam”- A Cultural presentation. This programme included dance, singing, poetry and drama and was well received by the audience. There were presentations from the Georgetown Arya Vir Dal, the Enmore Arya Vir Dal, the Port Mourant Arya Vir Dal and from the students at the camp.

Closing Ceremony & Graduation
120 youths graduated at a well-attended function which was prompt and precise. All students were presented with Certificates of Attendance. The Book Awards for those students who performed well at the Essay Competition (courtesy of Dr. & Mrs. Soni) were given out. Special prizes were handed out to Best Vir (Bhai Satyanand Harikishun) & Best Virangana (Bahen Poornima Omapersaud). Special 50th Anniversary Awards were handed out to Pt. Usharbodh Arya (SVB), Pt. Ramlall and Dr. Satish Prakash.

Acknowledgement
We'd like to thank the No. 78 Mandir and it's members - Our Host Mandir. We'd like to thank the Berbice Central Arya Samaj for hosting this camp and for making all the necessary preparations at the mandir along with the No. 78 Mandir. Thanks to all the members from the various mandirs in the BCA region who came to help in the kitchen. Thank you to the members of the No. 78 Mandir who hosted our viranganas.