A Holiday with Nature (Madras Plus 2 April 1998)
With competition hotting up in all walks of life, parents are pushing their children harder to perform. To top the class. And those who study hard and get impressive grades in school examinations are rewarded. The least expensive gift is theirs for the taking, ample TV time. In more affluent homes, unhindered net-surfing. With life becoming more plastic by the day, children need more exposure to real situations and environment - "I found it difficult to explain to my four-year old that milk came from cows, and not from plastic sachets," says Gita a mother. This situation is not an isolated one. Parents are now looking out for better alternatives to television. And so are the students themselves. "I am looking for a change, say a camp in a hill-station where they take you trekking, give you good food, and look after you well," says Sophilal Harris, a student. "I wish I could camp out in summer," says Shreya, another school student, "But my parents are not for such a concept." The concept of having a separate activity for summer, other than the annual vacation with the family, is just catching on in the city. But thanks to a delightful range of summer camps that are around the corner, children can look forward to a holiday with a difference. For instance, Erehwon India plans to hold five camps, in Bangalore, Yercaud, Yelagiri and Chennai between April 14 and May 28, informs Nishwath Hassan, one of the facilitators. The camp, which is part of a series that is held through the year for children aged between 7 and 17 years is aimed at the 'wholesome development' of the child. One of their main attractions this summer is going to be para-sailing at the camp site. You may call Nishwath or Deva Sena at 8554099 for further information. In keeping with the times, at Future Kids, the computer is being used to "enhance the various skills of children. At Future Kids the curriculum is theme-based and full of fun," promises Chitra Ravi, running the Nungambakkam centre. Children are bound to be thrilled to use the computer for unleashing their creativity. "In the process they improve their social and inter-personal skills. There will be three batches starting from April 20,""Chitra informs us. You can call her at 8229345 for more details. At the C P Ramaswamy Aiyer Foundation, which is holding the camp between April 20 to June 5, "Environment and Nature would be the major components of the programme," according to Nanditha Krishna, the centre's director. Incidentally, the CPR Foundation in Alwarpet has been organising summer camps for fifteen years now. "Children would be taught art, craft, folk music, folk dance, puppetry, yoga, theatre and environmental studies,""says Nanditha, who is determined to give a fresh lease of life to certain arts and crafts headed for oblivion. You can call Shanta at 4341778 for more details. At Nungambakkam, Gopi Narayanan, a former school teacher is organising a camp for children aged between 4 and 13 years from April 20 to May 2. She's been regularly conducting summer camps for the past five years. "This time, I plan to take them to places where normally they are not taken to and teach them certain values," she says. She has planned to take the children for instance to 'a place' near the city where they make sculptures out of rocks. "We are going to encourage the children to have a go at it themselves. Then they will understand how difficult it is to make a sculpture. Thereby they would learn to appreciate art," she says. For more information you may contact her at 8265560. Dipankar Ghose, who popularised 'turtle walk' among students in the early eighties offers an exciting package right in the back yard of Chennai. He plans to hold a series of four-night residential camps, at his sprawling site near Navalur, about 20 km from city limits on the Old Mahabalipuram Road. "I have targetted the mid teens, aged between 14 and 18 years," says Ghose, who plans to take them on 'canoeing expeditions' in the backwaters of Muttukadu. Besides, he wants to treat them to wind surfing, rock climbing, and 'tent life'. The first camp begins on April 20. For more information call Sanhita at 4912947. Wildertrails, a nature outfit run by Ashok Candade, a former army officer, is throwing an opportunity for camping in one of three fabulous destinations, Amaravathi, Thekkady and Avalanche. It is open to families and in the case of individuals, only those above 14 years will be admitted. "It will be a complete holiday. In the end, however, each one of them would have learned a fair deal about the place that they visited," he says. Resource persons who accompany the group will informally explain about the flora and fauna of the place and so on. The first destination is Amaravathi and they are leaving on April 24. You can call Ashok at 6442729 for more details. Watch out also for others who may be offering deals suited to your palate and enjoy the summer in a way you want to. The choice is absolutely yours.
Major Saab and the wilderness (The New Indian Express, 27 February 2000)
There was a typical answer that always surprised Major Ashok Candade, "We spend our weekends at Mahabalipuram" Was this region so starved of exciting places that everybody had to make a beeline for the statue destination? What about all those picturesque spots that you would notice while driving between two places. It was quite necessary to start an adventure and outbound club, where enthusiastic people could explore places within an hour or two of Chennai, and where they could be one with nature and enjoy the outdoors. Major Candade had found the concept for 'Wildertrails Adventure Club'. After setting it up in the April of 1997, Major Candade and a friend went on a two-week drive to locate as many possible campsite locations. Using his outdoor skills and instincts, developed in his stint in the army, he secured the trails in terms of difficulty factors, terrain, accessibility, and permission to camp. Most of them were accessible within a days travel. Residents of the city have, for the first time, a novel concept of round-the-year adventure for its members that includes day trips and overnight camps on two weekends every month, as well as long camps during vacations. The best part? No site is ever visited twice. The driving philosophy behind Wildertrails is that the outdoors and nature has lots of lessons to teach us. Among them : Wildertrails believes that facing the challenges of survival in the outdoors fosters self reliance and bonding within the group, and Major Candade strongly recommends participation of entire families. The sheer beauty of the camp locations ensures that though activities are physically tiring, the isolation from civilisation brings peace, relaxation and rejuvenation. Most members abide by the norm of not using plastic, and after every camp, also conduct a routine check to clear unwanted debris. Wildertrails members have access to tandem cycling, kayaking, white water rafting, and any other outbound sports that may come up in the future. All members, on joining the club, get a kit that identifies club members from non-club members who could also join on a trek. Acceptance of memberships are only after a personal interview with the Major as he is careful of disruptive elements joining and withering the fabric and the spirit of the club. Most veteran members swear by the learning curve, many of them being converts from being non-members. The joy of roughing it out, learning the ropes of team-work, and the other fun aspects make membership of this club worth-while. For further information on treks, contact Major Ashok or Kalyani Candade at 91-44-6442729.
Ranjan De
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