This has been a long-awaited vision at Indiahikes. Over the past decade, having taken over 8,000 children trekking in the Himalayas — in family groups and experiential learning programs with schools — we have seen that just one exposure to a trek can change a child’s entire outlook and approach to life.
So we opened 300 slots for Summer Camp — spread over April, May and June 2023. They were divided between two age groups. Dayara Bugyal for the younger 8-11 year-olds. And Deoriatal-Chandrashila for the 12-15 year-olds.
Although we were initially apprehensive about parents sending their children on this high-altitude adventure, all the 300 slots got completely filled up!
The first group, starting on March 22nd, with 49 children from all over the country came together at the Delhi airport to start their journey towards the Dayara Bugyal and Deoriatal-Chandrashila treks. We've been waiting for this day for a long time!
On Day 1, the children were welcomed by rain and snow. But soon the weather gods surprised them with brilliantly clear weather.
"The children are already going through things they've never experienced before. At the end of the summer camp, they're surely coming out with incredible resilience and confidence!" says Izzat Yaganagi, head of the Experiential Learning division at Indiahikes, emphasizing on the objective of the whole program — to create a transformative experience for children.