Why a trekking summer camp?
Our trekking summer camp is an experiential learning programme for children. While the children are climbing to a summit in the Himalayas, unknown to them, we are conducting a programme that imparts life values and skills. The programme is designed such that children learn collaborative skills. They learn to build relationships, handle conflicts, and share control. They also gain confidence, resilience, and the ability to deal with hardships.
When your children return from the trekking summer camp, they will have changed. The lessons they take back are immense. It is not possible to imbibe these values and skills in our day-to-day lives or even at school.
So if your child is between the ages of 10 and 14, this is a priceless adventure. You will see recognisable changes in them, lasting all the way into adulthood. We saw this unfold before our eyes in our 2023 summer camps. You'll see multiple parents vouching for the summer camp below.
Why a trekking summer camp?
Our trekking summer camp is an experiential learning programme for children. While the children are climbing to a summit in the Himalayas, unknown to them, we are conducting a programme that imparts life values and skills. The programme is designed such that children learn collaborative skills. They learn to build relationships, handle conflicts, and share control. They also gain confidence, resilience, and the ability to deal with hardships.
When your children return from the trekking summer camp, they will have changed. The lessons they take back are immense. It is not possible to imbibe these values and skills in our day-to-day lives or even at school.
So if your child is between the ages of 10 and 14, this is a priceless adventure. You will see recognisable changes in them, lasting all the way into adulthood. We saw this unfold before our eyes in our 2023 summer camps. You'll see multiple parents vouching for the summer camp below.
Summer Camp Reviews
Rashmi Sarkar
Mother of Neev Sarkar, Age 12 | Dayara Bugyal Summer camp
Padmini Nanjundaswamy
Mother of Aditi Gopal, Age 12 | Deoriatal Chandrashila Summer Camp
Hridayananda Das
Father of Ishaan Hridayananda Das, Age 15 | Deoriatal-Chandrashila summer camp
Joshnaa Manikandan
Deoriatal-Chandrashila summer camp
Trekking Summer Camps For 10-14 Year Olds
We consider the ages between 10 and 14 a golden period. Children are curious and learning every day from their surroundings. They are picking up values and behaviours that will stick with them through their adult lives. At this crucial age, it's important to mould them with the right outlook towards their peers, their elders, and the environment. This is what the trekking summer camp with Indiahikes does. It instills the right values and behaviours in children at a tender age.
Summer camps for Youth Between 15-16
At the age of 15–16, children are at a sensitive stage. At this juncture, their exposures and experiences make or break their outlook towards the future. It's important to sow seeds of confidence, resilience, and a connection to nature at this age. At Indiahikes, having taken thousands of children of this age, we understand this.
This is why our summer camps for youth are designed very differently from our summer camps for younger children. The experience is different in terms of the level of the trek, the kind of activities the youth participate in, and the takeaways brought out by the facilitators. Yet, all the learnings are interwoven with the adventure of a high-altitude trek, a memory that will stick with the youth well into adulthood.
How to Register Your Child for the Summer Camp
Registering for a summer camp trek is slightly different compared to other treks. We are working on making the process easier for you; meanwhile, refer to the steps below.
Note: If you are registering for 10 or more children, we will waive off Rs 1000 from the fee of every child. To avail of this waiver, please write to us at tilak@indiahikes.com.
Summer Camp 2024 Dates
Dayara Bugyal and Kedarkantha are for 10-14 year olds
Typical summer camp itinerary
DAY 1: Reach Dehradun, drive to Rishikesh and stay at Rishikesh (stay organised by Indiahikes).
You can either bring your child on your own or opt for chaperone services. We offer a two-way chaperoning service for children below 14 years, from Bangalore and Mumbai to Dehradun, for a fee of Rs 4000 per child. To avail these services, please get in touch with us after registering.
DAY 2: Drive from Rishikesh to Basecamp, organised by Indiahikes
(Departure time: 6.30 am | Approx arrival at basecamp: 3-4 pm).
DAY 3: Trek from Basecamp to Camp 1
DAY 4: Trek from Camp 1 to Camp 2
DAY 5: Stay at Camp 2 with activities and mini-explorations
DAY 6: Trek from Camp 2 to summit and move to Camp 3
DAY 7: Stay at Camp 3 with activities and reflections
DAY 8: Trek from Camp 3 back to the basecamp
DAY 9: Drive back from basecamp to Dehradun.
Please note: The itinerary may slightly vary from trek to trek, but this is a typical example to give you an idea of the 9-day itinerary.
Summer Camp 2024 Trek Fee
The fee for the trekking summer camp is Rs 20,500. This includes all travel, food, and accommodation from Dehradun to Dehradun. You will find a detailed breakdown of the trek fee on each trek page.
Details of the Chaperone Service.
We will have chaperoning services from Mumbai and Bangalore to Dehradun. We offer a two-way chaperoning service from Bangalore and Mumbai to Dehradun for a fee of Rs 4000 per child. You will receive a form after booking for the summer camp. Please fill out this form to avail this service.
If you are opting for chaperone services, please book the flight as given below. We would advise you to book the same flight even if you are not opting for chaperone services and your child is travelling alone.
Please note that chaperoning is available only for children of the age group 10-14 years. That is for Dayara Bugyal and Kedarkantha treks.
Note: All are Indigo flights except for 22nd April which is Vistara.
Flight details for the March and April groups:
Flight details for the May and June groups:
FAQs
We will have chaperoning services from Mumbai and Bangalore to Dehradun. We offer a two-way chaperoning service from Bangalore and Mumbai to Dehradun for a fee of Rs 4000 per child.
Please note: Chaperoning is an add-on. You will receive a form after booking for the summer camp. Please fill out this form to avail this service.
We provide general medicines. Also, our trek leaders are equipped and trained to handle any kind of medical emergencies on the trek. However, if your child has any specific medication please send it along with them.
Yes, there will be. In every summer camp, we ensure a diverse team with both male and female trek leaders are present to assist children with their individual needs. We strive to provide the utmost care during any medical or physical emergencies.
We serve simple, nutritious vegetarian food at our summer camps. You can expect roti, subzi, dal and rice at every meal, along with some surprise desserts! Since the group comprises mostly of children, the food will be on the less spicy side.
All our meals are prepared freshly at every campsite by our kitchen teams. We go to great lengths to ensure that the food is healthy, sustainable and fresh. So avoid sending food with your children. As for packaged snacks, they are banned on our treks.
We do have options of Jain food / vegan food upon request.
At the basecamps of Raithal and Lohajung, children will be staying in Swiss tents (in dorm-style beds). These tents will be separate for boys and girls. At Kotgaon too, we have our own campus.
At campsites, children will be staying in 3-man expedition tents. These are comfortable tents that will keep the ambient temperature a good 10 degrees warmer than the outside temperature. These will also be separate for boys and girls.
Each child will be provided with sleeping bags and hygiene liners at all campsites, which they will sleep inside.
Indiahikes will provide sleeping bags, tents and any snow equipment required for children.
We would recommend renting out the rest of the gear from our store for your children.
Children will need comfortable trekking shoes, jackets, backpacks, trekking poles and headlamps for the trek. We do not recommend buying these, since it becomes too expensive.
(Please note: Rentals will open around 45 days before the start date of the trek)
You can expect snow from March till mid-April. The snow slowly reduces during this period, giving rise to springtime greenery.
The higher reaches, especially the summit climb, will have snow. We will be giving children microspikes to attach to their shoes to get traction in snow. They will also be given gaiters in case the snow level is above their ankles. Our technical team will be with them throughout these sections to guide them.
This video about our safety equipment on every trek will also give you a clear picture of the safety you can expect for your child.
You will not be able to contact your child on the phone, since these are remote areas without mobile network. You will, however, be able to stay in touch with the Indiahikes team. Our team is in continuous touch with the whole team through radio communication / walkie talkies and will be able to share updates with you.
Please use your own email id and phone number to register your child. We share important information on travel, gear, co-ordination and trek details over email and Whatsapp. This is crucial to your child's summercamp. So you need an email id and phone number that is in regular use.
However, please ensure you use your child's name and age in the registration process.
Here is a list of everything your child will need for the summercamp. You can rent trekking shoes, backpacks, padded jackets, trekking poles, rainwear and headlamps for less than Rs 2000 for the entire duration of the summercamp. Visit the store here.
Shoes and backpack
- Trekking shoes with ankle support (Available on rent)
- Backpack with rain cover (Available on rent)
Warm Layers and Clothes
- 4 Warm layers (Padded jackets available on rent)
This includes 1 pair of thermals, 1 woollen sweater, 1 fleece, 1 padded jacket. (If you choose a date after mid-April, you can avoid the thermals) - 3 Collared T-shirts (Wear one, carry two)
- 2 quick-dry trek pants (Wear one, carry one)
Accessories
- Sunglasses
- Sun cap with flaps (Available for purchase)
- Waterproof gloves
- Balaclava
- Socks (2 pairs of Dry fit + 1 pair of Woollen)
- Headlamp (Available on rent)
- Trekking pole (Available on rent)
- Rain jacket + pants / poncho
Toiletries:
- Sunscreen
- Moisturiser
- Light towel
- Lip balm or vaseline
- Toilet paper (Wet wipes are strictly not allowed on our treks)
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Reusable plastic covers (for used clothes)
Cutlery:
- Steel lunch box, spoon and mug
- Two water bottles
Parents will not be allowed on the summer camp, since it changes the dynamics of the group a lot.
But if you would like to be in the vicinity, you could choose to go on the trek in one of our regular groups around the same time.
The itinerary will not match date-to-date since the regular treks are shorter than summercamps. You will have extra days in hand. You could stay back at the basecamp at separate accommodations or stay at a central location like Rishikesh and wait it out. If you're very keen, it's a viable option to consider.
Having said that, you could also consider a family trek (where parents and children trek together) for the younger child, and a summercamp for the older child.
Our family treks are specially designed for parents to trek along with their children. You'll find all information about it here - https://indiahikes.com/family-trek-page
The best age for children to camp is between 8-16 years. This is a golden period where they absorb learnings like sponges. They pick-up not only outdoor skills, which remain an intrinsic memory for them, but also soft skills of team work, empathy and conflict resolution. In addition to all this, it instills an immense amount of confidence and resilience in the kids,
If you're sending your children on a summer camp, we recommend starting from the age of 10. For 8-9 year olds, staying away from family for 9-10 days is still very difficult. This is why our summer camps are designed for ages 10+.
The fee for the trekking summer camp is Rs 20,500. This includes all travel, food, and accommodation from Dehradun to Dehradun. You will find a detailed breakdown of the trek fee on each trek page.
The minimum number of registrations is 10. Usually, all our summer camp groups go full. If we do not have enough enrolment, we will be transferring the trekkers to the nearest possible date (or any date of your choice) and shall be open for a full refund if the family wants to cancel.
At campsites, we do have Bio toilets to attend nature calls. While out in the wild, children are taught how to dig a cat hole the relieve themselves the natural way. Children are instructed to inform their coordinator and we find a suitable spot to relieve themselves and wait for them to come back.
No. Chaperoning is an add-on. You will receive a form after booking for the summer camp. Please fill out this form to avail these services.
Chaperone services involve the employment of manpower and the costs attached to it. Hence, we have limited it to the Major cities like Bangalore and Mumbai only. If we have more requests from the city we might provide one. You can drop your child at any of these two cities (closest to you)
What skills children learn from the trekking summer camp
Trekking and camping skills
Our summer camps are a mix of fun, adventure and learning. Through the course of the trek and the program design, children learn the basics of trekking, camping and wilderness survival.
- Building a shelter out of bare minimum resources
- First aid skills through mock drills
- Navigation skills using maps and GPS tools
- Skills to identify and set up campsites in the outdoors
- Cooking in the wild
- Learning to cross streams
Nature skills
Given that children are in the heart of some of the richest biodiversity in our country, they learn first-hand about forests, plants, birdlife, animals and all natural elements around them.
- See and feel the rich biodiversity of Himalayan forests
- Learn about birdlife and animals endemic to the region
- Learn about the stars and the Milky Way by experiencing it in real-life
- Nature journaling
- Experiencing the forest
- Witness big Himalayan ranges at close quarters and learn the stories associated with them
Sustainability skills
At Indiahikes, we are very conscious about how we trek and how we treat the outdoors. There’s a certain spirit of trekking we believe in — a minimal and sustainable way of trekking. These are imparted by our Green Trails initiative, which inevitably has a big impact on children.
- Learn a minimal way of living by exploring lifestyles in remote villages in the foothills
- Clean trekking trails and leave mountains better
- Understand the importance of saving natural resources
- Learn the basics of waste management — segregating and composting waste
- Understand how to make composting toilets in the outdoors
Life skills and behaviours
Finally, the program design imparts priceless personal behaviours and skills among children. Within a week of our trekking summer camp we see remarkable changes in children. Children start displaying life skills that usually take years to develop.
- Gain life-long confidence after climbing to a high mountain summit
- Get accustomed to hardships
- Build resilience through overcoming difficulties
- Learn how to work collaboratively with a team
- Learn to own and share responsibilities
- Understand how to deal with healthy conflicts and resolve them
- Learn interpersonal communication skills
How we take care of your child's safety
Indiahikes is known to be the safest trekking organisation in India, especially for children. First, the summer camp is conducted off our own campus at Raithal and Sari villages. These are not remote hotels or lodges but Indiahikes community campuses. No children are allowed to step out of the campus unless accompanied by Indiahikes staff members.
On the trek, children stay at Indiahikes campsites all along the route. All activities are conducted under the direct supervision of Indiahikes trek leaders, facilitators and support staff.
Our people
Our Trek Leaders are certified mountaineers with a Basic Mountaineering Course or Advanced Mountaineering Course. Trek Leaders assigned to lead summer camps are Wilderness First Responders (WFR) and NOLS certified. They have led several Himalayan treks, ranging from moderate-difficult to difficult treks.
All our mountain staff too have gone through extensive training to handle emergencies. Additionally for our summer camps, women staff members compulsorily accompany every group of children.
Our processes
For over a decade, it is our water-tight safety process that has mitigated all kinds of risks — ranging from health-related and medical risks to outdoor risks. This process includes our initial safety check-in at the base camp, our thrice-a-day health checks, our medical protocol in case of any symptoms.
Additionally, all risks associated with the program are analysed in advance and a risk mitigation plan is developed. Every possible risk is properly planned for. Processes have been put in place for all common emergency scenarios. Our staff are trained to follow these processes stringently.
Our Equipment
Most modern safety equipment regularly used on treks in India were introduced by Indiahikes.
We have safety equipment of the highest standards. On the trek, the trek group will carry a fully equipped safety and medical kit, evacuation kit and technical gear kit. This provides support for the team to handle any emergency in a proficient way.
Thoughts at the summit
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