A mother reached out to us a few months ago, enquiring about the Indiahikes Summer Camps for children. She wanted to know if it would help her 12-year-old, Aarav (name changed) come out of his shell. Aarav was painfully shy and unable to connect with other children. 

Aarav excelled in his studies, but showed no interest in games or playing with friends. He spent all his free time indoors with his gadgets. He avoided visitors and usually locked himself in his room until they left, even with close family. A family friend who was a therapist recommended taking him into nature and away from the city.

We suggested taking Aarav on a family trek, where there would be other children, other parents, and activities designed for bonding. 

Aarav's mother called us after the trek. The experience was more than she could have imagined, despite initial resistance from him. It was like she was experiencing her son for the first time! 

He began to speak more freely, he expressed his thoughts and feelings during reflections, and he volunteered to serve meals at campsites with the other four children who were there.

We knew the impact would not end after the trek. We also knew Aarav and his family had discovered a powerful social-emotional development tool – trekking. 

Success in school, work, and life is often determined more by emotional intelligence than academic excellence.  

This isn’t news, but the rate at which the world has changed means that children must have stronger 21st-century competencies: resilience, responsible decision-making, self-awareness, self-management, relationship management, creativity, and collaboration skills.  

Teaching approaches such as Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) are dedicated to building children’s self-awareness and interpersonal skills. 

Why treks are ideal for building social and emotional skills in children

Treks accelerate children’s social and emotional learning for several reasons: 

Treks are a refreshingly safe space for children. Children can break free from traditional roles they often play in classroom settings. Athletic, academic, artistic, popular, or quiet - a trek forgoes all labels. 

Adolescents face immense pressure to fit in while also figuring out their own identity. Trekking provides an environment where social pressures like their appearance or having to constantly achieve or compete become irrelevant.  On an Indiahikes trek, reaching a summit might be the end goal, but it doesn’t define the journey. 

Treks allow room for natural consequences. There are no simulations or role plays.

Learning happens organically as children navigate the ups and downs of a trek. The beauty of the mountains plays its part in boosting the brain. Plus, the design of our treks enhances lessons on empathy, teamwork, and perseverance through activities and reflections.

Beyond the physicality of it, trekking is a raw, unfiltered experience. Emotions will surface as one walks and must be addressed - whether you want to keep going or turn back. There is no hiding from or suppressing what you feel.  

Let’s take you through the different ways SEL presents itself on an Indiahikes trek.

Frequent tantrums, outbursts, difficulty calming down after being upset, or becoming overly agitated in response to minor stressors are common in children. They might also face difficulties transitioning between activities or coping with unexpected changes. 

We make space for and address all these emotions on our treks. 

Children learn how to take a breath and respond, instead of react

There are always children who walk faster than others in the group. Some tend to get frustrated with anyone they think is slowing them down. 

While honesty is a virtue, children with very strong personalities sometimes have trouble expressing frustrations appropriately. How do we help such students?

Indiahikes trek leader, Panchami Gaitonde says, “Everyone walks together on the trek no matter what. Plus, we assign important roles and responsibilities to each one. When children feel a sense of ownership about the trek and others, they approach challenges differently. Consequently, the words they use to express their emotions dramatically change – “You’re so slow!” becomes “You can do it,” “Don’t you know how to walk properly?” becomes “Do you need to rest?”

Children learn to adapt to change and overcome difficulty 

“Sometimes we need to have difficult conversations with children. Say, a child is struggling throughout and we’ve assessed they might not be able to make it to the top. Some children understand while others struggle with it. What helps is a continual conversation on the expectations and goals of the trek. We reinforce the importance of the journey throughout. I’ve also found that modelling the desired behaviour is crucial. The best way to help children adapt is to show them how, which they have ample opportunities to observe first-hand from us or their peers on a trek,” says Sharwari Brahme, trek leader and Head of Green Trails at Indiahikes. 

Children learn how to express their emotions 

We love how unfiltered children can be. They have plenty to say but don’t always know how to express their emotions or which words to use. On an Indiahikes trek, we channel children’s honesty into focused articulation.

“We have regular reflection and debriefing sessions where trek leaders encourage children not only to share feelings but articulate them using different mediums – through words, art, colours, elements of nature, or phrases in their mother tongue,” shares Sharwari.

What is the meaning of empathy? More than just social nicety, research on the science of empathy shows it is crucial for success and happiness in personal and professional spheres. In children, it plays a vital role in academics and preventing bullying in schools.

Showing care and kindness to others is a core objective of our treks. We work towards this consciously through several activities and experiences.

Children meet people from different cultures, ages, and religions

“Children spend a lot of time interacting with the Indiahikes guides on a multi-day Himalayan trek, most of whom have been born and raised in the mountains. They are amazed at how fit our guides are and how they’ve led hundreds of treks. They are curious about their lives and the work they do. Some of the older students go back from a trek with new perspectives on what rewarding careers and lives can look like,” shares Sharwari. 

Children learn that empathy must extend beyond who and what they know

Rutvid Dholakia, a teacher from Shishukunj School, Gujarat concurs, “I remember how some of our students began complaining about their heavy bags on the trek until they saw the locals carrying firewood on their backs. The students saw first-hand the hardships other people face, and how their lives in the city were so much easier in comparison. They also realised the meaning of compassion since some parts of the trek would not have been possible without the help of mules.” 

Children show care and concern for others

By day 2 or 3 of a trek, minor concerns like aches or pains are replaced by caring for one another. 

“Children show immense care, even at the cost of being ‘unpopular.’ They proactively ask us to come check on a friend who’s not feeling well but trying to hide it. Some of them take us aside privately, telling us how they’re concerned about a classmate who’s secretly carried cigarettes on a trek,” shares Sharwari.

The mountains, being out of familiar surroundings, the programme design and facilitation of the activities – all of it works to bring out the best already inherent in children.

Children taking care of each other after a long day of trekking | Photo credits: Vishnu Sivanandan

Every parent hopes their child will demonstrate responsible behaviour, not just because they're told to but because they recognise the need. Parents are often stunned to discover a new side to their children while trekking.

Everyone pitches in on an Indiahikes experiential learning program. Camping and tent etiquette are a core part of learning for children | Photo credits: Vishnu Sivanandan

“This experience has left us, as a family, wanting to do many more treks! I think I have understood more about my children’s capabilities. My children now understand more about nature and are also more conscious about other things like water wastage and garbage disposal,” shared Srivatsan Iyer who had come on an Indiaikes trek with his family.

Sharwari adds, “On Day 1, we usually see parents trying to get their children more involved on the trek. By Day 2 or 3, children become proactive about things like waking up on time, drinking water, or packing their tiffin. Many of them start taking care of their parents.”

Children experience a rush of happy hormones while trekking. This surge of endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin is further amplified by activities we design to foster a deep connection with the natural world.

They become more attuned to their surroundings, actions, and the people around them. This heightened awareness sparks new thoughts and behaviours, encouraging them to explore, learn, and grow in ways they never imagined.

Beautiful things happen when we give children more agency and independence over their learning. 

It is the essence of Indiahikes' approach to outdoor experiential learning. Learning actively through experience differentiates outdoor experiential learning from traditional classrooms. 

The key to helping children manage their emotions is to create a safe environment for them to express themselves.  Treks with Indiahikes remove the need to constantly compete or perform. They are a mix of adventure and learning where we set the stage for children to build emotional strength and resilience, in addition to lifelong friendships.

Trekking seamlessly integrates Experiential Learning with SEL

How Treks Enhance Children’s Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

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How Treks Strengthen Children’s Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Please note that this is a special trek designed for stargazing enthusiasts. The trek fee is slightly more than the regular fee. Know more about the trek here. 

This is a trek specially designed for trekkers above 58 years. The trek fee is Rs 3000 more than the regular fee (Please note this is only for Himalayan treks) Know more about the trek here. 

Please note that this is a special trek. The trek fee is Rs 5000 more than the regular fee. Know more about the trek here. 

Please note that the family treks are meant for families with a child/children under 14 years of age. If you do not fit this criteria, you can register for any of our regular groups. Read more about family treks here.

You are joining our waitlist. Your chances of getting a confirmation are high, but not certain. We will notify you as soon as a trekker cancels their trek.

When we brought out new trails in Indian trekking, safety came with us. Back in 2012, we were the first to introduce microspikes, and two years later, pulse oximeters became standard thanks to us. Nobody does safe treks like Indiahikes. In the mountains, emergencies don't care who you're with – everyone knows that when trouble hits, you look for the yellow tents of Indiahikes.

We are India’s safest trekking organisation

We are pioneers in trekking. Since 2007, we have brought out treks that have become India's most famous treks: Roopkund, Rupin Pass, Buran Ghati, Kedarkantha, Kashmir Great Lakes, Tarsar Marsar, Brahmatal, Phulara Ridge—the list goes on. In 2023 alone, we brought out five new treks in Indian trekking. We know treks better than anyone. This comes directly from the reason why Indiahikes was born: to bring out trek information and enable trekkers to trek on their own.

We are pioneers of treks in India

More than 25,000 people trek with us every year. We are the largest trekking organisation in India. 24% of our trekkers come back to trek with us every year. Over 4,000 students from the top educational institutions trek with us every year. Aside from this, families with children choose to trek with Indiahikes knowing that our treks are the safest. We have taken over 8000 children trekking so far, and the number continues to grow. 

We are India’s largest trekking organisation

We focus on designing transformative experiences. Our trek leaders conduct thought-provoking exercises that help you reflect and contemplate. This impact stays with you for a long time. Trekkers return feeling energised, more confident, or developing abilities to deal with difficulties. Many have changed careers, rethought their core values, become more humble, shown gratitude to others, or started a new fitness journey. 

Our treks are transformative

Since 2012, we have pioneered sustainable practices that have become standard in trekking. Using eco-bags, our trekkers have cleared over 120 tonnes of litter from the mountains. We do not carry packaged foods; instead, we serve freshly made food. We do not light campfires; we carry coal to light angethis to keep you warm. Our bio-toilets not only keep our toilets odour-free but also enrich the soil. When you trek with us, you leave mountains better.

We are India's most sustainable trekking organisation

5 Reasons Why Indiahikes

If you are unable to complete a trek, or if you love a trek, you can repeat it with us anytime. You don’t have to pay us for it. See our thoughts behind this here.

You’re guarded with our trek again philosophy

Our thrice-a-day oxi-metre checks keep altitude sickness at bay, never allowing you to reach a point where you need evacuation.

Daily 3-time health checks keep you safe at any altitude

With around 30% of our trekkers being women, all women, including those travelling solo are comfortable to join any of our groups.

Join any group, they are all women-friendly groups 

Our kitchen teams understand your needs as a vegan (or a Jain). We will take special care of your food, even in the remote Himalayas. 

We have specially designed bio toilets to ensure you have no sight or smell in toilets, at the same time making sure the toilets cause no harm to the fragile ecosystem we trek in.

Be comfortable and sustainable with bio toilets

We’ll admit it. Our love for food surpasses our love for minimalism. Expect freshly cooked, multi-cuisine food at all camps, designed to meet your nutritional requirements and keep your taste buds happy!

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