Since 2007, the Snow Leopard Trust and its partner in India, the Nature Conservation Foundation, have conducted three-day camps for middle and high school children in the Spiti Valley of the Himalayas. Over the past three summers, about 430 children (and 30 teachers) from 15 schools have participated. The experience of living in tents and being in the wilderness is exciting for most students—very different from their usual school experience indoors. Many say that learning about plants and animals around them (about which they knew very little) has made them feel proud of their natural and cultural heritage and take more interest in preserving it.
Here are some images from the camps, and what some of the participants had to say about their experience:
“I saw and learned a lot in this camp, which I didn’t know earlier. I learned that each creature has a right to exist on earth. I’ll tell my fellow villagers to look after our pastures.” – Rinchen Dolma
“Pastures are not only for humans and their livestock, but also for wildlife.” – Chhering Dolker (Kibber High School)
“In this camp, I really liked the activity of sound maps. Earlier, I had heard many sounds, but here, sitting at one quiet place, I got to listen to the breeze, flowing stream and various bird calls.” – Kunzom Butith (Government Sr. Secondary School, Kibber)
“I learned that nature is full of surprises and peaceful…we are so lucky to be born in the Himalaya… I’ll remember for my whole life that we went to this camp.” – Lobzang Tandup
“This three-day nature camp has been a great educational experience for both students and teachers…the positive effects could last for many years to come, even a lifetime.” – Griffen Schutt (Teacher, Highlander School)
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