NATIONAL INSTITUTE SUMMER CAMP 2001
AT RAWALPINDI BAHÁ'Í CENTER DURING 25-29TH OF JULY
The first Institute summer camp was successfully held in Bahá'í Center Rawalpindi from the evening of 24th July to the morning of 30th July 2001. About 200 friends from 30 localities of all the provinces of the country, including some of their novices and non-Bahá’í relative, participated. A good number of them were women and children. Following instructions from Beloved Counsellor Mr. Foad Reyhani Mrs. Parveen Rizwani and Mr. Ramzy Rohani from the Middle East were also present to help us in the Camp.
About 35 friends of Afghan origin also participated.
The
camp was fully utilized for offering Institute courses. The participants were
divided into 9 groups. This included 4 groups to study book1, 3 groups to study
book2 and 1 group to study book3. One special group of some 30 children was also
conducted.
The participants started coming in from the afternoon of 24th July. Some of them did also come on even the fourth day. The program followed the same pattern every day i.e. Devotional meetings in the morning; every day there were three sessions of two hours each and one session of one hour. Each session followed by half an hour break and the lunch break was of two and a half hours.
The Camp was very inspiring and the atmosphere very spiritual and supportive to learning. It was so impressive to witness each day and after each break that the friends headed towards their group’s meeting place without any reminder or bells etc. Every one felt his or her responsibility and participated whole-heartedly in the studies of the Books. Even the non-Bahá’í participants were very keen of learning. Although the whether was not favorable and the electricity went off every now and then and for long times but the groups continued with their studies without breaking. No one complained.
The Children group practiced the lessons in the book3 and learnt 7 prayers, seven quotations, 7 songs and games from the book3 and presented it during the farewell session held in the evening of 29th July. This group also provided opportunity for the group studying book3 to practice the newly learnt skills of teaching children classes.
The teacher of this group said “it is a challenge for me. I had never conducted a children class with so many children from so many backgrounds and localities. Thanks Bahá’u’lláh - He made it possible for me.”
The spirit of this camp may be depicted from some of the comments made by some participants. I am sharing some as under:
 | “I acquired much from this (Camp)… With the lessons learnt here I am sure we will be able to serve in a better way...” wrote an elderly participant in Persian. |
| A young girl wrote, “This camp has proved that the Institute is really a place for learning. All the participants have come here for learning only. It was never witnessed during summer or winter schools where most of the friends came for entertainment and sight seeing. I did not see even one participant during these days that intended to leave the sessions or go elsewhere or who had not given importance to the sessions of the Camp. I suggest that from now on Institute Camps be organized instead of summer and winter schools…” |
| Another youth, a girl, wrote; “During this Institute we come to know about what is lacking in us and what are the attitude we must learn. In my view such camps should always be held so that others also can benefit along with us. I request the friends who have not yet joined the Institute to do so…” |
| Another young lady wrote; “ … has been most successful as all those who attended… have gained much in knowledge and insight of education for children…” |
| A youth wrote, “Such camps should also be held in future…” |
| One of the study groups commented collectively, “… this program created a sense of responsibility as the sessions started in time and ended in time… In future the winter school be also replaced by Institute camp… This camp cultivated fellowship and enhanced loving organization…” |
| A young man from the Lower Punjab wrote, “Not only I have gained understanding of the Bahá’í Writings from this camp but also now I have started feeling like a Bahá’í…” |
| “I am feeling enriched and empowered from within. It was lacking in me …” wrote another young participant. |
| “I have learned in this Institute thing I neither knew nor I had tried to know before…” wrote a house wife; |
| “This camp has helped me to feel like an adult. Before I was as a child in the Faith…” wrote a young man from rural Sindh; |
| “The fact that most of the participants were local Bahá’ís was very encouraging. I had an opportunity to develop friendship and understanding with many of them…” commented an young Bahá’í from Persian background born and brought up in Pakistan; |
| Last but not the least is quoted here some part from a comment written by a girl, non-Bahá’í, who participated in the Camp: “The experience of the Summer Institute Camp has been very good. This camp has increased our knowledge. The atmosphere was very good. Such programs should be continued… We received spiritual tranquility by the Sacred Teachings for this new era… All the participants respected each other… As a non-Bahá’í I felt a little bit unease at the beginning but very soon I caught up the spirit and am happy…” |
Some of the general comments made by the participants during the closing ceremony of the Camp are also very encouraging:
“ I am 64 and had chance to sit and study with a tutor who is not even of the half of my age. Most of the participants in my group were youth and some non-Bahá’ís but I felt at home with them.”
“I feel that the Institute will help the teachers as well as the students even in their schools… I say this as I am a teacher…”