Did you know that spending time outdoors and observing wildlife has numerous scientifically proven mental and physical benefits? This summer, why not take your kids and teens on outdoor adventures that are not only fun but also educational? We have created a list of summer break ideas that will allow kids to explore areas rich in biodiversity and learn new skills, such as growing their own food and birdwatching. These breaks offer immersive experiences surrounded by nature, providing an excellent opportunity to reconnect with the natural world.
Birdwatching is no longer considered a geeky hobby; it has become a cool and trendy activity. Many young people are forming communities and sharing their sightings and experiences on social media platforms. The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) is hosting a birdwatching camp in the Nainital Hills, an area known for its diverse bird species, with over 200 different species to spot. Pangot, Sattal, and Bhimtal are famous for being a paradise for bird watchers. You can enjoy the stunning natural surroundings on nature trails while spotting birds like Cheer, Koklass, the Scaly-bellied Woodpecker, Headed Laughingthrush, and the Spotted Laughingthrush, Lammergeier, Striated Prinia, Rufous Sibia, and Yellow-breasted Greenfinch.
For further details, e-mail them at programmes@bnhs.org or WhatsApp/call at +91-9969798447 (Mon–Fri 09:30 am to 05:30 pm).
More and more people are adopting a sustainable lifestyle by making changes to their daily choices such as constructing eco-friendly homes and growing their own food. There are many courses available that offer practical experience in creating a small or large food garden, even if it's something as simple as a balcony or window sill garden. Smell Of The Earth, a beautiful farmstead located in Birbhum near Shantiniketan, is owned by a couple who left their lives in the United States to settle in Tagore's homeland. They have built an eco-friendly house and established a self-sufficient farm that serves as a centre for teachings on permaculture, food cultivation, and eco-friendly living. They conduct workshops and short courses throughout the year, and one such course is scheduled for April.
For more information, call 097488 31271 or email smelloftheearthkol@gmail.com
Located near Nilgiri and sharing borders with Karnataka and Kerala, Mudumalai National Park was declared a tiger reserve in 1986. This national park boasts a diverse range of habitats, including wetlands, deciduous forests, teak forests, grasslands, and almost 500 plant species. Sign up your young adults for a camp by Frolic Boonies, located next to Mudumalai National Park, surrounded by evergreen forests and streams. It will be five days packed with fun-filled activities including jungle safari, trekking, studying wildlife up close, sky watching, and more.
Check here for more information.
India Hikes is one of the most well-known organisations working in the field of outdoor adventure. They are organising Himalayan trekking summer camps for two age groups of 10-14 year old, and 15-16 year old. Their summer camps for are designed very differently for each age group. 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 well into adulthood.
For more information, check here.
Nestled in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, Velas is renowned for its conservation efforts geared towards the Olive Ridley turtles. The Velas Turtle Festival is an eco-tourism attraction held on the beach. The festival offers a unique opportunity to participate in conservation activities on the beach, aimed at protecting turtle eggs. In addition, visitors can enjoy the range of exciting local activities and culinary experiences offered by the locals. The laying of eggs typically starts in February, and the turtles continue to visit the beach for egg hatching until April.
For more details, check here.
BuDa Folklore is an organisation dedicated to conserving the rich biodiversity and folk tales of the indigenous people of Uttar Kannada aka North Karnataka. BuDa's relatively new programme Rutu Live and Learn has people studying seasonal rhythms in the forest, the ecology and life. As the name suggests, this programme (and life at BuDa's Anagdibail farmhouse in general) is deeply centred on the changing rhythms of the seasons. Every season, different flowers bloom, different crops are grown, and different festivals are celebrated. The seasonal changes don't just affect human activities, but also have a bearing on the lives of other beings. Sign up for their summer programme and meet some amazing people.
Read more about Buda and their programmes here.
