Why Trek With Your Family
Most modern families are struggling with new-age problems. Children are not getting undisturbed time with their parents. They are disconnected from nature and do not see themselves as a part of it. Most are not accustomed to hardship. Resilience to deal with the ups and downs of life is lacking. Opportunities to become independent and gain confidence are sorely lacking.
This is where trekking comes in. We have found that, with expert facilitation, trekking provides immense opportunities for parents and children to understand each other better. Children have opportunities to practice empathy, express gratitude, become more confident, and get accustomed to hardship. Parents have time to step back and reflect on their growth as a family.
All this happens amid nature, with a sense of unbridled joy. It's an experience impossible to replicate elsewhere.
Why Trek With Your Family
Most modern families are struggling with new-age problems. Children are not getting undisturbed time with their parents. They are disconnected from nature and do not see themselves as a part of it. Most are not accustomed to hardship. Resilience to deal with the ups and downs of life is lacking. Opportunities to become independent and gain confidence are sorely lacking.
This is where trekking comes in. We have found that, with expert facilitation, trekking provides immense opportunities for parents and children to understand each other better. Children have opportunities to practice empathy, express gratitude, become more confident, and get accustomed to hardship. Parents have time to step back and reflect on their growth as a family.
All this happens amid nature, with a sense of unbridled joy. It's an experience impossible to replicate elsewhere.
Family Trek Dates
Specially designed treks for families with children
How An Indiahikes Family Trek Is Different From A Regular Trek
1. In group composition: Parents (both or individual) with children upto the age of 18 join the family trek group.
2. In objectives and outcomes: The main objectives are strengthening the family bond, connection with nature, bringing out latent qualities of creativity, empathy, confidence and resilience in the children.
3. In program design: All have roles and responsibilities. There are specially designed activities for the family as well as for the parents and the children followed by sharing and reflections.
4. Choice of trails and safety: The treks selected are beginner-level treks with easy exits and a reasonably good network to ensure safety
How An Indiahikes Family Trek Is Different From A Regular Trek
1. In group composition: Parents (both or individual) with children upto the age of 18 join the family trek group.
2. In objectives and outcomes: The main objectives are strengthening the family bond, connection with nature, bringing out latent qualities of creativity, empathy, confidence and resilience in the children.
3. In program design: All have roles and responsibilities. There are specially designed activities for the family as well as for the parents and the children followed by sharing and reflections.
4. Choice of trails and safety: The treks selected are beginner-level treks with easy exits and a reasonably good network to ensure safety
What happens when families trek together
Benefits we have observed over the past 14 years
Families understand each other better
Many times, a family of four becomes four different people living under the same roof. But going on a trek helps them function as one unit. They give each other undivided attention — no internet, no online games, no office calls.
We see that they show a lot more care and empathy towards each other. We have noticed that this continues for a long time even after they end their trek.
Many families have now made trekking together as a yearly family ritual. The best part is that both parents and children look forward to it!
Children learn from the outdoors
Trekking has a tremendous effect on the Mind, Body, and Spirit. This effect is magnified tenfold when it comes to children.
But additionally, we also conduct activities that bring out specific learnings in them –
- A Himalayan trek is not easy. But working together to achieve a single goal, enhances the child’ sense of responsibility.
- Students’ mental, physical and spiritual endurance is built in the duration of the trek. There are always hard sections, or moments on a trek. But working together, they overcome this.
Further, the body gets accustomed to hardship as they joyfully trek.
Families meet like-minded families
Families who consider trekking rather than other forms of holidaying share many common ideals. They see the immense value of being in touch with nature. They believe that the best way to deepen family bonds is by doing things together. They consider holidays as an opportunity to broaden their children’s mental horizons.
Children get to trek, participate in several activities, and interact with other children. The friendships they form with other children on a trek are very special. They do this in an environment free of distraction, competition and judgement.
“I’ve noticed that these bonds go much beyond fleeting friendships. They are meaningful relationships that families maintain for years to come. Today, there is a thriving community of families that trek, which I am a part of. I can see that it is one of the most active communities where families are discussing treks around their cities, about sustainability and more,” shares Prathima Chhabria, who is an Expert Experience Coordinator for families at Indiahikes.
Trekking families are fit families
Trekking families are fit families
We love seeing this happen. When families get fit for their trek together, most often they make fitness a part of their daily lives.
Take a look at this family for instance:
“We started preparing three months before the trek. We began with a 500-meter run. After a few days of practice, Saanvi could complete 3 km in 30 minutes. We also practiced climbing stairs. Initially, we would tire easily and not finish the climb. A week later, our stamina increased. We could climb till the 17th floor!” shares Sidheswaran KP, who took his 7 year old daughter on the Dayara Bugyal trek.
You’ll see a lot more stories on how these trekking families got fit here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Indiahikes Family treks are designed keeping in mind the children as young as 8 years. However, it is very important for your child to prepare for the trek physically and mentally.
Get in touch with our Experiential Learning team to know how you can prepare your child for the trek. Drop an email to prathima@indiahikes.com, and Prathima will get back to you within 12 hours.
Our Family treks are of easy-moderate difficulty. We rate these treks based on the altitude gained, the distance covered, the elevation gained, and the terrain you walk on, each day. Having said that, preparing well for the trek determines how easy or difficult it gets.
On an average, you and your child will have to walk for 5-6 hours each day of the trek.
Watch this video by our Experiential Learning team member, Prathima Chhabria, to know how you can prepare your child physically:
There is a vast difference between our family treks and our regular treks.
Firstly, family treks are for children up to 18 years, accompanied by their parents. But on our regular treks, trekkers of all age groups come on the trek.
Secondly, family treks involve activities that are specifically designed for children and parents so that they bond well with each other. You will not get to see this exclusivity on our regular treks.
Families can meet other like-minded families. This builds friendships between each other, and children mingle with other children to have an experience of a lifetime.
Watch this video to know how the family treks are conducted: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E48m0SrCfI0
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