Source: The Dallas Morning News

On July 31, 1999, The Dallas Morning News published an article 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 Sikh children in their faith, which is an experience rarely felt in American culture. The camp, in its 14th year, has drawn 30 children this year. Ritika Vohra, whose two daughters attend the camp, stated: "This is an opportunity for them to socialize with one another, and that's one of the most important things that we can give them here." Ellie Pierce, Project Manager for the Pluralism Project at Harvard University, states that these summer camps are important for Sikhs: "When you're the only Sikh in your school or your neighborhood, it's very important that they have these camps so they can spend time with their peers...It gives them a chance to relax. There's virtually no knowledge of Sikhism in this country, and they have to start at Ground Zero with most people." There are about 500 Sikh families in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and the United States has a Sikh population of approximately 150,000.