Hiking: starting them young

"Hiking not only provides our students the important aspect of pushing themselves beyond their comfort zone but also prepares them for uncertainties and adversity in the future, and in fact throughout their lives. They learn a self-reliance that doesn't usually occur in the confines of a classroom, they are life skills that they are lucky enough to experience in our wonderful environment and location here in the foothills of the Himalayas" said Darab Nagarwalla, Programme Co-ordinator at Hanifl Centre and the driving force behind an exciting resurgence of hiking at Woodstock.

Junior school is leading the way in the rediscovery of hiking. Every child completes two hikes per semester and then uses Activity Week to put their skills to use in overnight trips. In the early stages of it is about getting the children out exploring on day walks; we emphasise the fun of hiking and not the endurance factor. Two points are awarded for every kilometer walked and one extra point is gained for every 100 metre ascent. Three levels of achievement are obtainable: Bronze requires 75 points, Silver 125 points and Gold 200 points.

"Hiking not only provides our students the important aspect of pushing themselves beyond their comfort zone but also prepares them for uncertainties and adversity in the future, and in fact throughout their lives. They learn a self-reliance that doesn't usually occur in the confines of a classroom, they are life skills that they are lucky enough to experience in our wonderful environment and location here in the foothills of the Himalayas" said Darab Nagarwalla, Programme Co-ordinator at the Hanifl Centre and the driving force behind an exciting resurgence of hiking at Woodstock.

Junior school is leading the way in the rediscovery of hiking. Every child completes two hikes per semester and then uses Activity Week to put their skills to use in overnight trips. In the early stages of it is about getting the children out exploring on day walks; we emphasise the fun of hiking and not the endurance factor. Two points are awarded for every kilometer walked and one extra point is gained for every 100 metre ascent. Three levels of achievement are obtainable: Bronze requires 75 points, Silver 125 points and Gold 200 points.

Hiking is also enlivening the social studies and science curriculum. Grade 6 teachers Kim Ferguson and Ian Whiteman are taking their classes hiking to Moti Dhar village. The students will pair up with Kaplani school students, and together they will interview villages and farmers about village life and get their observations on climate change. They will camp out in the village and hike back the following day. Darab commented "Hiking makes a connection between the classroom and the natural environment in which we live and provide a combination of sights, sounds and smells; it enables hikers to encounter interesting people and wildlife that bring our environment alive. These in turn create memories that last a lifetime".

Grade 6 was asked to tell us what they liked about hiking. "I like hiking because it is very healthy and when I go to the top of a mountain I feel really cool about what I have done and I am happy about that". - Sooyeon "I like hiking because I get very excited when we are first about to leave. When we reach the top of the mountain or hill I just lay down on the grass and stare at the sky and watch the clouds changing their shape and watch how the different birds fly. When I am going back down the hill I feel like sprinting". - Vatsala "I like hiking because it gives you a better feeling of nature. Once you get to the top of a hill or mountain you get really excited and happy how well you have done ". - Joon

"I can't wait to go on another hike because my last hike was so exciting. The very best part is when you reach that special point and as a reward you get to play together and look how far you have come. Hiking is fun with friends too". - Shreyansh

Hiking is also enlivening the social studies and science curriculum. Grade 6 teachers Kim Ferguson and Ian Whiteman are taking their classes hiking to Moti Dhar village. The students will pair up with Kaplani school students, and together they will interview villages and farmers about village life and get their observations on climate change. They will camp out in the village and hike back the following day. Darab commented "Hiking makes a connection between the classroom and the natural environment in which we live and provide a combination of sights, sounds and smells; it enables hikers to encounter interesting people and wildlife that bring our environment alive. These in turn create memories that last a lifetime".

Grade 6 was asked to tell us what they liked about hiking.

• "I like hiking because it is very healthy and when I go to the top of a mountain I feel really cool about what I have done and I am happy about that." - Sooyeon
• "I like hiking because I get very excited when we are first about to leave. When we reach the top of the mountain or hill I just lay down on the grass and stare at the sky and watch the clouds changing their shape and watch how the different birds fly. When I am going back down the hill I feel like sprinting." - Vatsala
• "I like hiking because it gives you a better feeling of nature. Once you get to the top of a hill or mountain you get really excited and happy how well you have done." - Joon
• "I can't wait to go on another hike because my last hike was so exciting. The very best part is when you reach that special point and as a reward you get to play together and look how far you have come. Hiking is fun with friends too." - Shreyansh