GIRIVIHAR

15^th ADVENTURE CAMP 2002

GIRIVIHAR, has since its conception in 1964, been devoted to outdoor adventure activities like hiking, rock climbing and mountaineering. Activities which inculcate courage, patience, determination, leadership, confidence and team spirit. Activities that cultivate a love for the environment and respect for nature.

For children, the time is ripe to learn these skills because in tomorrow's competitive environment, these will prove to be skills rudimentary to survival. And slowly, but surely, this idea is gaining acceptance in our country. Many prestigious schools have an `Outdoor Education Programme' as part of their regular curriculum. Reputed management colleges (including IIM) have an outdoor activity to develop these skills in their students.

The outdoors, it is said, create the strongest bonds. And thus adventure is just another way of bonding diversity into one united family.

It is with this in mind that GIRIVIHAR conducts the Annul Adventure Camp for school children (age group 8 to13). The 15th Adventure Camp will be conducted between 10th November & 16th November, 2002 at Kille Sudhagad, Pali (Dist. Raigad).

As a parent who leaves no stone unturned for the child's development, we are sure you will find this camp an attractive proposition. Of course, a question most likely to occur to you will be, why you must choose GIRIVIHAR's Camp for your kids, when so many options are available. Here's the answer:

• GIRIVIHAR is one of the oldest and most reputed mountaineering clubs in Mumbai
• We have had decades of experience conducting Adventure Activities for children, and have enjoyed an enviable safety record
• With a long list of pioneering ventures to our name, we are an organisation of genuine mountain experts
• All our faculty is trained in Mountain First Aid and Emergency Procedure. Even our juniormost instructors have at least four years of experience
• An optimum instructor : trainee ratio of 1 : 5
• Unlike several commercial set-ups, the entire program is completely owned, managed and conducted by `true blue' mountaineers
• We conduct this camp for one reason only - introducing kids to the joys of the mountains and moulding them for success in tomorrow's competitive world
• And last, but not the least, we conduct the Camp on a NO-PROFIT basis, making it one of your wisest and most economical investments in your child's future 

• The site for the Girivihar Adventure camp is `Kille Sudhagad', 13 km. away from Pali, one of the famous pilgrimage place (A Ganesh temple from the AYTivanaayak yaa~a), in Raigad district. Pali is 8 km. off the Mumbai - Goa highway (NH - 17) after Nagothane. Kille Sudhagad is an ancient fort with a temple and an old palace with numerous fortifications. All our activities will be within the vicinity of the camp.

• The basic concept of the camp is to introduce outdoor education to the children, develop love for nature, as well as to prepare them to stay on their own, away from parents, inculcate qualities like self reliance, leadership etc.

• The approximate daily schedule of the camp, with minor variations depending upon the day to day programme, will be as follows :

05.45 a.m. : Good Morning 06.30 a.m. : Warm up

07.00 a.m. : Milk 07.30 a.m. : Morning session

08.00 a.m. : Breakfast (at site) 12.00 noon : Lunch

01.30 p.m. : Evening session 03.00 p.m. : Cold drink (at site)

06.00 p.m. : Tea/Biscuits 07.00 p.m. : Games

08.30 p.m. : Dinner 10.00 p.m. : Good Night - Lights off

• The meals are strictly vegetarian, made hygienically by an experienced local cook who has been with us from last few years. It is not pungent, considering the requirements of the kids.

• The overall food items given during the day are more than sufficient both in quantity and nutritional value. So carrying food items, even toffees etc. is not essential.

• The kids will be accommodated in the temple with a separate room for boys & girls. The ground is covered with a mattress.

• As regards the camp kit following points are worth taking note of:

Ø Shoes : Shoes should be preferably new or at least in good condition. Ordinary canvas P. T. or similar shoes will serve the purpose. In order to avoid shoe-bites, please ensure that the shoes are used at least 2/3 days before the camp. The shoes are a must for each activity & child can loose the whole fun of the camp, if the shoes are faulty. Do not forget to give a pair of slippers for the time after the day long activity.

Ø Socks should be preferably cotton to avoid the problem of blisters etc. A small quantity of any ordinary talcum powder (not the full big tin please!) for applying before wearing shoes will surely make the child more comfortable.

Ø Children will be going through hectic field activity on all the days. Loose tough cotton trousers are the best for both boys as well as girls. Though for most of the activities it is advisable to have full pant, and full sleeve shirt, the boys can change over to half pants and the girls to Punjabi dresses. Simple `T-shirts' will also be suitable, except for Rock-climbing where a full sleeves shirt with collar is a must. Girls will not be allowed to wear Skirts, Frocks etc. during field activity. Also tight fitting pant, heavy jeans must not be given. After the days activity the kids can change into a suitable night dress of their choice.

Ø Provide with at least 2 to 3 pairs of undergarments with proper instructions to change them after 2 or 3 days.

Ø As the floor of the temple is covered, a thin bed-sheet below and a light weight but warm pull-over is sufficient. Here one may note that 2 to 3 thin layers are warmer than a single thick layer. So an old cotton saree folded twice can prove to be warmer. Pillows other than air-pillow (that too, if it is essential) must not be given.

Ø Please ensure that the water bottle is sturdy and leak-proof.

Ø Please remember, every unwanted thing given is a burden to the child and they will have to carry it up & down all along. So restrict their load!

• There is a complete `First-Aid Kit' available at the camp site. Still it is advisable to carry a few Band-Aid strips. All the instructors are trained to give first aid. In case of any serious incidence, the Medical Officer at PHC, Pali is also kept informed about the camp and he is always ready to provide medical help.

• Parents are requested to inform the camp-in-charge about any long term medical treatment the child is undergoing for any illness. In such cases the medicines should be deposited with the camp-in-charge with proper instructions. They should inform about the trouble if any (Asthma, breathing trouble etc.) experienced by the kid on exertion and the medicines in such cases. They should also inform about hypersensitivity (to antibiotics, sulpha drugs etc.) / allergies if any. Please note that the kid's advise will not be accepted in any case and the camp-in-charge may take suitable steps depending upon the situation.

• There is no facility to take bath daily, moreover the kids may not find time for this. (Time will be specially provided on one of the days to bathe!) Therefore instruct the kid to observe cleanliness.

• A temporary toilet facility is created at the camp-site. Parents however are requested to give instructions to the kids regarding using this facility regularly.

• Please ensure that the child's nails are cut properly.

• The camp-in-charge and all the instructors are fully trained and have wide experience in all the activities they will carry out. There will be an adequate number of Lady Instructors.

• We have always followed the precautions of safety. The child's safety at any point is the first priority. Keeping this in mind, the instructors may not allow some kids to participate in some of the activities.

• The other instructions on the instruction sheet regarding which items should be given and which must not be given, should be strictly followed. Any eatables, toffees or such other items, comics, games and any other objectionable items found with any trainee will be confiscated. Cash is absolutely unnecessary.

• The Camp-in-charge's decision in any matter during the camp is final.

• Parents and/or guests are not allowed to visit the campsite during the camp. A grand camp-fire is organised by the children with variety entertainment programmes presented by the kids themselves, on the last evening (one day prior to the last day). Parents may participate in this function. We will not be in a position to make any arrangements for the parent's lodging, boarding and transport (other than providing place to stay). The interested parents may contact the Camp-in-charge at the time of parents meeting or assembly for further information.