Last Saturday, we hosted an insightful webinar titled "How to Plan Your Adventurous Journey for IAYP" that saw enthusiastic participation from across the country. A total of 31 attendees joined us, including award leaders, coordinators, parents, and individual IAYP participants.

We were honoured to have Ms. Priya Daultani from La Martiniere Girls' College as our guest speaker. A strong advocate of experiential learning, Ms. Daultani shared her enriching experiences of partnering with the Indiahikes School of Outdoor Learning (InSOUL), where she has witnessed firsthand the impact of well-structured outdoor journeys on student development.

One of the most pressing questions raised during the session was whether schools can conduct the Adventurous Journey without a Trained Activity Provider. This sparked an important conversation around safety. The consensus was clear: it is critical for schools to partner with trained providers who are equipped not just to ensure safety, but to guide students meaningfully through the IAYP framework. Attempting such a journey without trained facilitators poses significant risks.

Other pertinent questions revolved around how outdoor facilitators handle student behaviour, mental health, and emotional well-being during the journey. These were addressed by Shachi Tripathi, Programme Designer and Trainer at InSOUL. She offered insights into the extensive training Trek Leaders undergo, from listening skills and non-violent communication to scenario-based practice drawn from over 12 years of experience with more than 10,000 students. Many facilitators are also certified Wilderness First Responders, making them exceptionally capable of managing outdoor emergencies and unpredictable challenges.

The webinar also included queries from parents of individual participants seeking guidance on completing their Adventurous Journey outside the school ecosystem.

All in all, it was a productive session that brought together stakeholders from different backgrounds. Participants left with greater clarity, practical guidance, and a renewed commitment to conducting safe and meaningful IAYP Adventurous  Journeys.

The Indiahikes School of Outdoor Learning is hosting a free, public webinar on How to Plan a Trek for your IAYP Adventurous Journey (AJ). Scheduled for Saturday, May 31, 2024, from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon, this Q&A-style session is aimed at clearing the fog around how to effectively and authentically fulfill the IAYP Bronze, Silver, and Gold AJ requirements through an InSOUL Outdoor Learning Programme on a trek.

Having led over 100 students from prominent institutions such as La Martiniere for Girls and Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya (SKV), InSOUL has established a solid reputation in the IAYP space for safety, experiential learning, and outdoor education.

This upcoming webinar offers a rare opportunity for:

• IAYP Award Leaders and Coordinators
• YES Centre Schools
• Parents of IAYP aspirants
• Bronze/Silver/Gold Participants

The webinar will be hosted by trek experts from Indiahikes who have coordinated multiple IAYP treks previously. It will provide a platform for insightful discussions on giving you more clarity on all your concerns regarding planning & executing an AJ trek for IAYP participants.

MIS Summer Treks: A Cherished Himalayan Tradition

Every summer for the past five years, the students of Mussoorie International School (MIS) have joined us on a special tradition of trekking in the Himalayas. This year was no different. Groups of enthusiastic students from MIS trekked to Aancha Top, Phulara Ridge, Ali Bedni Bugyal, Brahmatal, and Deoriatal-Chandrashila, each trek offering unique lessons and experiences.

On the Ali Bedni Bugyal trek, the girls showed remarkable engagement, especially when surrounded by the breathtaking wide-open meadows. The moment they reached the famed Ali Bugyal, they instinctively dropped their backpacks and raced to Ali Top, their joy uncontainable. The trek also inspired a deeply emotional "postcard session" where students wrote heartfelt messages to loved ones. So meaningful was the experience that many continued writing even after descending from the mountains. A strong takeaway for the girls was the realization that, away from family, it’s essential to care for one another like a family — a value they promised to take back to school.

On the Brahmatal trek the blooming rhododendrons became a highlight. Trek leaders noted how actively the students engaged, asking thoughtful questions about the forest and its elements.

Across treks, teachers observed a noticeable transformation: stronger bonds, a renewed sense of gratitude, and an eagerness to improve their fitness for future adventures. For MIS and InSOUL, these treks continue to be more than just a physical journey — they are annual rites of passage that shape young minds.

Last Saturday, we organised a nature exploration walk for toddlers who were accompanied by their parents. We conduct such walks for free in different locations once a month, providing young families in our neighbourhood an opportunity to introduce their children to nature, to discover the unique features of the plants and creatures around them, and to grow comfortable in the natural world.

Ideally, we would love to see such initiatives spread across the city, led by nature enthusiasts, to encourage toddlers and young families to enjoy nature and the outdoors together. This is the first step towards helping them step out of their comfort zones and develop a love for the outdoors.

It is also an opportunity for parents to spend time with their children outdoors, building shared experiences without fear. We often hear parents share how refreshing it is to go on these morning walks and how much they value having a community to do it with, especially young families who need all the support they can get.

It is our hope that this practice grows into a larger culture across the country, where children grow up enjoying the outdoors and experiencing all the wonderful things nature has to offer.

In a proud moment for La Martiniere Girls’ College, five of its students were honoured with the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh International Gold Award at a grand ceremony held at the India International Centre, New Delhi. The awards were presented by Mr. Naveen Jindal, Member of Parliament and Chairman of Jindal Steel & Power Ltd.

The awardees — Shatakshi Shahi, Shinay Oberoi, Navya Khanna, Fadilah Farhat, and Zulekha Fatima — received their Gold Award Badges and Certificates in recognition of their exceptional commitment to personal growth, community service, and adventure.

As part of their adventurous journey, Shatakshi undertook the Ali Bedni Bugyal trek, while Shinay, Navya, Fadilah, and Zulekha completed the Dayara Bugyal trek — both high-altitude Himalayan expeditions facilitated by Indiahikes.

“I want to personally thank Indiahikes from the bottom of my heart for organising these trekking journeys for our college girls,” said Ms. Priya Dautlani, Award Coordinator from the school. “The treks played a vital role in their Gold Award journey, shaping their confidence, resilience, and spirit of adventure.”

The Duke of Edinburgh International Award is a globally recognised youth development programme that empowers young people to explore their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society.

We’re kicking off the biggest season of day treks with DPS Bangalore North today, and we couldn’t be more excited! Close to 3,000 students will be heading out for treks over the course of three weeks!

Last week, our team visited the school to meet the students and share what’s in store for them. And their enthusiasm is infectious!

Here's what Honey Ma’am, the coordinator from DPS Bangalore North, shared after last year’s treks:

“Life Skills play a very important role in the development of a child, and we at DPS look into various platforms to encourage our students to explore themselves and inculcate life skills that will help them become better individuals. Every year, we take our students on experiential learning treks with Indiahikes. From this experience, I have seen students learn to keep the environment clean. They feel motivated and gain a sense of responsibility for themselves and others around them. Their self-esteem and confidence clearly improve. They begin to value basic essentials such as water, food, and show more gratitude.”

This incredible vision was built by Manju Arif Ma’am and Renu Dimri Ma’am, Principal at DPS Bangalore North and West respectively, who have created a legacy of outdoor learning.

Now, the journey continues. We can't wait to see what these young adventurers will learn from the outdoors this time!

Last week, we hosted a group of IAYP (International Award for Young People) participants from Chennai Public School Global across all levels—Bronze, Silver, and Gold—for their Adventurous Journey in Kodaikanal. For each level, we customised the design of the activities such that it could meet the requirements of each level. For the students this raw and truly adventurous camping and trekking experience was enriching.

Through hands-on activities, students learned:

• Camping in the Wilderness: Setting up shelters and adapting to nature’s challenges.
• Navigation: Using both modern technology and traditional methods to find their way.
• First Responder Techniques: Basic emergency response skills for real-world scenarios.
• Igniting Fire & Cooking for Survival: Developing survival skills crucial for the outdoors.
• Understanding the Environment & Culture: Gaining insights into the ecosystem and cultural heritage within the AJ region.

The programme also focused on leadership development, providing students with opportunities to demonstrate their individual strengths and collaborate effectively within teams.

The programme was designed to help students connect with the IB Learner Profiles such as inquirer, critical thinker, principled, risk-taker, caring, open-minded, and balanced, while also enhancing IG Attributes such as reflectiveness, communication, and adaptability.

This immersive experience not only equipped students with practical life skills but also fostered a deeper understanding of their own capabilities and leadership potential.

Rajghat Besant School, a Krishnamurti Foundation of India (KFI) school established over 80 years ago, recently joined us for a transformative OLP in the lush jungles of Chhattisgarh. At Rajghat Besant School, nature is an integral part of holistic education. InSOUL’s approach to outdoor learning aligned seamlessly with the school’s philosophy, making the collaboration a natural fit.

Teena, the trek leader, shared her experience of guiding the students through the dense forest trails. "It was truly a wholesome experience," she said. "We explored beautiful forest walks, stayed in a traditional mud house, experienced village life, walked through caves, enjoyed summit views, and took calming river walks."

The jungle trek offered an immersive experience in the wild, with students observing natural elements like sloth bear footprints, jackal scat, termite mounds, and snake skins. Birdwatching became a delightful pastime as they spotted various species along the trails.

Beyond nature immersion, the OLP focused on practical survival skills. Students took part in a treasure hunt that tested their ability to use coordinates, solve riddles, and practice fire-making techniques, compass usage, and shelter-building. The program also featured orienteering, stargazing, and meditation sessions, along with thoughtful debriefs that encouraged reflection on the experience.

Students from Harrow International School Bengaluru recently completed the Bronze Level of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award at the Indiahikes Southern Campus.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, is a globally recognized program operating in over 120 countries, empowering young people aged 14 to 24 to develop essential life skills, resilience, and leadership through adventure and service. At Harrow International School Bengaluru, this initiative aligns perfectly with the school’s mission to foster courage, honour, humility, and fellowship in its students.

During their time at the Indiahikes Southern campus, students from diverse backgrounds and nationalities embraced numerous first-time experiences—pitching their own tents, navigating through unfamiliar terrain, and even attempting to sleep under trees when the heat became intense. They tackled challenges with enthusiasm, taking on navigation and map-reading tasks among others with remarkable engagement. Their ability to immerse themselves in new environments and adapt to unexpected situations demonstrated the holistic development that programs like this encourage.

This experience not only reinforced their outdoor skills but also highlighted the growing importance of experiential learning in India. With initiatives like the Duke of Edinburgh Award gaining momentum, education is evolving beyond classrooms, preparing students for a future where resilience, collaboration, and adaptability are key.

Last week, we had the privilege of hosting 45 students from Vizag Defence Academy for a three-day experiential learning program at our Southern Campus. The program was designed to build confidence, enhance communication skills, and strengthen their connection to nature through hands-on outdoor experiences.

Over the course of three days, the Special NDA students immersed themselves in essential outdoor skills, including navigation, fire-making, and campsite setup. They were eager to test and showcase their leadership skills, they took initiative in every challenge and supported their peers, especially when they needed help.

Despite facing challenging weather, they were determined to march through each day in true army style. Their unmatched energy and discipline left a lasting impression on us. We have no doubt that the skills and mindset they improved during this programme will serve them well in their future defence careers.

Last week, students from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) descended a Himalayan slope with beaming smiles and high spirits. Behind those joyful faces lay an extraordinary feat of endurance and teamwork in extreme conditions.

The setting? A Himalayan trek in December with temperatures plunging to -5°C and fierce, icy winds. This was the backdrop for IIM Bangalore’s Collaborative Leadership Programme, conducted by the Indiahikes School of Outdoor Learning (InSOUL).

The challenge requires students to summit a high peak within a specified time frame while demonstrating essential teamwork and self-sufficiency. They pitch both personal and community tents, cook meals without generating food waste, and adhere to a "Leave No One Behind" ethos, where success is measured by every participant reaching the summit together.

Management education goes beyond the classroom, and this challenge tested their leadership and collaboration in a real-world, high-stakes setting. Facilitator Faizan Devdiwala praised their spirit: “The students were grounded, respectful, and open to any challenge. They trusted the process." Reflective debriefings revealed that success wasn’t just about the summit; it was about supporting each other. Facilitator Rahul Paul noted: “The human aspect of each individual took over, and we saw true collaboration.”

InSOUL thanks Prof. Shubha Patvardhan, Prof. Ritwik Banerjee, and Prof. Manaswini Bhalla for their support.

Last week, we had the privilege of hosting students and professionals from the Mensa Project on a trek to the breathtaking Dayara Bugyal and Deoriatal Chandrasila.

Mensa is the world’s oldest and largest high IQ society and their India chapter works tirelessly to create unique growth opportunities for gifted individuals in India.

The trek, designed as an experiential learning program, aimed to foster self-confidence, teamwork, and a deeper connection with nature among Mensa scholars and professionals. Komal Yadav, Vice President of Mensa India Dhruv Chapter, reflected on the profound impact of the journey: The 5-day trek was more than an adventure, but a deeply transformative experience.

What we carry with us as we return home is more than just memories—it’s a sense of inspiration, motivation, and strength that will continue to guide us. We return with a sense of belonging—a home within ourselves, knowing that those who trek together, stay together.”

On September 27th-28th, Mrudula from InSOUL joined the IAYP (International Award for Young People) Trained Activity Provider (TAP) refresher course in Kolad. This two-day program highlighted an alarming trend: 60% of student reports from India last year were rejected for not meeting the authentic AJ standards. Cutting corners, overly comfortable setups, and unethical shortcuts like pre-filled report templates undermine the true essence of the Adventurous Journey (AJ). The AJ is designed to build resilience, independence, and leadership through genuine outdoor experiences. At InSOUL, we stand firm against these practices. We believe that real learning happens when students are challenged—carrying their own gear, setting up their own camps, and walking every step of the way. We rigorously prepare them for this, ensuring a journey of growth, resilience, and authentic self-reflection.