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| At the beautiful camp site |
Nature camps,
generally is referred to children and youngsters who go to college. Often it
would have a very broad theme and the information delivered is rather shallow.
In the elementary level the camps are to be involving individuals in nature and
they must sense the wonder in it. A
sense of appreciation of nature is the most essential ingredient of any well
brought up child. So an assortment of game based activities is ideal for them.
While some games are of the designs that decide on a single winner and develop
a fighting spirit in children. Other games are of the type that does not help decide
on a winner. Such games help in building cooperation among the participants as
well as communication skills, both of which form the bedrock of the formation
and functioning of community. Further, the active participation of an
individual within the community and her ability to involve and influence in
decision making is augmented by the same traits. Nature education based camps
must not cease to perform for the next level. Delivering insights into the
mechanisms of ecology is a challenging and essential task.
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| CF , DCF and the participants |
However, some design the camp for deeper understanding
of a segment of a wider subject. These camps are not so general in their
approach and would have activities that are meticulously designed to give an elaborate
feel the subject. The intention would be to unravel the complexity of the
relations in nature and there by realize oneself in a holistic context. The wilderness
area or the countryside provide a wonderful opportunity for self realization
and help to overcome self-consciousness. Getting away from the mundane life to
the outdoors will ensures a greater relaxation of the body and mind. Many
people are deprived of such an indispensable ingredient of normal life.
Corporate and academic elite manage to include it as an initiative of the
organization or as a fashion of their pear group. A vast majority of the middle
class and almost all of the under privileged mass of the urban locales never
get an opportunity to experience nature and be with it.
Sakhi Trust an
organization working for the school dropouts- especially girls of urban and
semi urban area of Bellary district since the past two decade is trying out
every method to put in confidence to these suppressed lot. Many of them belong
to casts that have faith in primitive practices such as Child marriage and
Devadasi system. Providing them their lost childhood, securing financial and
social status has been the first priority of Dr. Bhagya and her team. Identification of such girls and getting them
out of the clutches of the male dictated families is a herculean task in
Northern Karnataka. Providing shelter and counseling the teenage girls for
various short falls and finding a seat back in the school or college demands a
lot of determination. Dr. Bhagya a
social scientist an a psychologist Dr. Ajay and Dr. Umesh who strive for the
noble cause of Sakhi took a bold step
this November to send in thirty of their benefactors for a Nature camp
organized by Hasiru Hejje at Daroji Nature camp in Bellary District.
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| Grabbing the fish! |
In this three
days exposure to Nature camp the girls under took numerous activities that
unrevealed many simple truths of nature.
Mr. Jeevan Kumar, a play Director used many theatre games that enabled
the girls express themselves. His innovative methods of improvisation gave them
a sense of accomplishment. Mr. Pampiah Swamy
and Samad Kottur were the resource persons for the audio visual sessions in the
evening. Mr. Manu K coordinated the Workshop and designed activities for joy
and replenishment. He presented a special session on Women in conservation that highlighted the life of many women who
strived to find a place in their fields. The struggles and achievements of
scientists from Rachel Carson and Jane Goodal
to the contribution of Vandana Shiva and Sunitha Narayan were intensively
discussed to inspire the girls.
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| Manu addressing the gathering |
The three days of involvement in nature did
miracles to the girls. They felt they were no less than men and would explore a
way to beat their personal obscurities of life and go ahead. The forest
officials of the Conservator cadre who visited the camp sat for an elaborate
discussion with the participants and gave many words of appreciation for the
organizers and wished hope and success for the participants.
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| Relaxing at the end.... |
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