We believe that this camp was well attended particularly in view of the fact that this year the July 4^th holiday fell on a Wednesday as opposed to the beginning or the ending of a week. We thank all the members who graced this occasion by their presence, all the volunteers and helpers without whom this would not have been possible, and most importantly the members who couldn't be with us physically but had us in their thoughts.

 

It gives us immense pleasure to share with you that 86 families registered for the camp resulting in 320 attendees including 27 kids under the age of 5. We are particularly indebted to the youth (10 and above) who constituted approximately 20% of the total number of the attendees. Fifteen states from the continental US were represented (MD, NJ, VA/DC, NY, MA, PA, DE, CT, RI, CA, MI, KS, TX, OK and IN) and the highest number of registrations were from NY (22) followed very closely by NJ (21) with MA in the third rank (16). In addition, we had three families from Ontario , Canada . Based on these numbers we would hope that the KOA community would categorize this camp as a success.

As regards the approximate revenues collected for this camp, total collections amounted to $29,296. KOA has made one refund in the amount of $378 due a death in the family of a registrant. As such we had a total amount of $28,918 to operate with. Of this amount of  $2244 was collected as cash, $300 was deposited on line, $316 was charged to a credit card (the registrant promised to send us a check instead), $114 generated as a net gain from the Hawan donations and the balance of $26,322 was by checks.

 

Our total approximate expenses were $27,916 leaving the KOA with a approximate positive cash flow of $1002. An itemization of the approximate costs incurred is provided below:

 

Food + Camp supplies +Transportation                               = $17,735

(Breakfast, lunch, afternoon snacks, dinner and evening tea) 

Sunrise Resort Campground (inclusive of amenities)              = $ 6,400

DJ (music)                                                                    = $ 1,500

Helpers at the camp (x2)                                                 = $   720

Dunk Tank and Snow Cones (kids entertainment)                 = $   660

Registration materials including souvenirs                            = $   630

Certificates, medals and plaques                                       = $   271

 

Total =                                                                         $27,916

 

Since we are talking about the budgets we would be remiss if we did not share with you that the DJ (non-Kashmiri) donated $100 to the KOA education fund. Furthermore, the collection process could have been more painful had it not been for the unconditional help and assistance that Mr. Ashok Kaul of Andover , MA provided to the camp coordinating team in addition to the numerous runs he made to the town for last minute needs. For this, the camp coordinators remain grateful to him.

 

Events and Activities

A brief synopsis of the activities that took place at this camp includes a kids cultural event performed by 15 kids; 25 kids participated in a painting competition, lots of kids fun games including dunk tank, several sessions of competitive cricket, volleyball and golf. Musical entertainment included Kashmiri light music, chakri, antakshari, hindi light music and DJ. Dr. Shubha enthralled us with her bhajan recitals. All of this was topped of by daily morning sessions of yoga led by the talented Neeta Datta.

 

On Sunday morning, we had hawan which was arranged by Deep and Usha Kaul.  We are also grateful to them for setting up the temple at the campsite. We are thankful to Asheesh Goja for the video coverage.

 

We also had a panel/discussion session moderated by Sanjay Kaul. Following topics were discussed: (A) Retirement colony for Kashmiri community: Are we prepared for it? (B) Political Aspiration: What should be solution to the Kashmir issue from a Kashmiri pandit¢s point of view? (C) Experiences of parents for the upbringing of their children in this country.

KOA Annual Camp is probably the most important event that KOA has in the United States and appropriately so, fund raising is an important event at this meeting. More than  $41,000 was pledged. While we the camp coordinators cannot take the entire credit for the record pledges made at this camp, nevertheless this accomplishment would lead us to believe that the camp was a huge success on this score.

 

 

Here we would like to mention that Rohit Ogra, who has just recently started his first job, for coming forward to donate $200 that triggered the donations and pledges from other donors. Our organization needs such youth taking interest in our organizational activities and programs.

 

KOA Annual Body Meeting

This meeting was held and the official minutes will be posted separately. The camp coordinating team was not chartered to take the minutes.

1.

http://picasaweb.google.com/neeruganju/KOACamp2007Album

Courtesy: Neeru Ganju

2.

http://picasaweb.google.com/umeshkaul/KOACampJuly2007

Courtesy: Umesh Kaul

3.

http://picasaweb.google.com/asheeshgoja/KOACamp2007

Courtesy: Asheesh Goja

4.

http://picasaweb.google.com/sunilkdhar

Courtesy: Sunil K. Dhar

 

5.

http://picasaweb.google.com/sandeepkaul1/KOACamp2007?authkey=q-dnHhPuvPQ

Courtesy: Sandeep Kaul

 

6.

http://picasaweb.google.com/purshotam.bhan/KOACamp200702?authkey=EktwSY1gIJo

Courtesy: Purshotam Bhan

These awards are given to KOA members annually to recognize them for their efforts to volunteer their time for and support KOA programs.

 

1. KOA Camp Coordinators:

 

Ramesh and Neeru Ganju

Inderjit and Sunita Kaul

Rakesh and Nitu Kaul

 

For their outstanding efforts and dedication in organizing the KOA 2007 Annual Camp at Moodus, CT

 

2. Hari Bhat: Chairperson, Nomination/Election Committee for conducting with efficiency, timeliness, and impartiality the KOA¢s nomination and election process of 2006

 

3. Deepak Ganju (KOA President, 2005-2006): In recognition of devoted and valuable services rendered to this organization and its membership

 

4. Sharda and Satish Cherwoo: For their long-term and sustained commitment and support of KOA and its programs

 

5. Kul Bhushan Razdan: For his leadership in organizing the first ever KOA Convention in 2006, which provided a platform for building support for KOA and its programs

 

6. Certificates and medals were given to kids for participating in several Cultural activities and games.

 

One thing that we sorely missed was the absence of Lalit Koul, Secretary KOA who was in India at the time of this camp. As we repeatedly mentioned to the camp participants none of this would have materialized had it not been for the inordinate hours and effort he put into this activity.

 

Neeru Ganju deserves our special thanks and gratitude for her hard work and dedication. Her enthusiasm and drive were par excellence ensuring everyone was attended to and made comfortable. One particular skill that we all got to observe first hand was her ability to multi task in a very effective and efficient manner.

 

We would like to thank all the volunteers who helped with serving food, preparing tea, snacks, arranging kid¢s games, Dunk tank, Ice Cone machine and other activities.

 

We are glad we were able to serve our community. We sincerely hope that we came up to your expectations and did nothing purposeful to let you down. God Bless our community.

 

Ramesh Ganju

Inder Kaul

Rakesh Kaul

Sunil Fotedar