Outbound Learning Experiences - Grade VI, VII, VIII

OLE at the Shiv Nadar School is yet another means to realise our vision.

We provide an environment that challenges students into discovering their talent and skills. We will inspire the joy of learning by fostering a culture of creativity. Our students will be ethical, respectful, happy and purposeful citizens of society.

Every OLE pushes the boundaries of our comfort zone, provides various experiences of art, culture and adventure, engage in community service and helps students discover themselves and expand their horizons.

Grade VI
Camping at Orchha

The grade VI OLE trip went to Orchha. In the words of a student, “The purpose of the camp is to expose us to an environment that challenges our thinking, helps us be one with nature, show us how to achieve more as a team and learn about the history of Orchha.”

The students had varied experiences - Nature walk was a trek along the beautiful river Betwa, where children enjoyed the sights and sounds of nature. The sound and light show at the Ram Raja Mahal, an important historical landmark of Orchha, had the students spellbound. It exposed them to the rich cultural and historical heritage of the city.

Team games were engaging and helped the students connect with each other. At the Raja Mahal students were mesmerized by the beautiful and impressive architecture which was a blend of Hindu and Islamic styles.  
Students also listened to beautiful Bundeli folk music live by traditional Bundeli folk music artists.

A lesson in sustainability was the visit to TARAgram, a platform for the artisans to display their products made out of waste material. Visit to Radio Bundelkhand showed the students difference between metropolitan areas and rural areas. RB talked about agriculture, government schemes and played Bundeli songs for the people.

Nature, history, architecture, art, crafts, sustainability, music, dance and lifestyle differences, the students have these memories etched in their minds.

Grade VII - Uroli Camp

Uroli location was beautiful and so was the weather. After reaching the camp the students were grouped in a way that it took them out of their comfort zones and this set the pace for the entire trip.

The excited students did not need alarms, wake up calls, yet all were out of their tents to soak the morning sun and start the day at six in the morning. After a quick round of warm-up exercises, a hearty breakfast, students were ready for their action-packed day.

The activities they engaged in were; tree jumaring, rope course, rock climbing, making hot chocolate, setting up obstacle courses using the materials provided and tying rope knots. They learnt to backpack, saw snow-capped mountains and had a good measure of geography lessons.

The team was conscious about being environment-friendly, used minimal plastics and no littering was allowed. No wastage of food was allowed either which our students also abided by and appreciated the ethos.

Students enjoyed the 'talent show' and indoor games, team building activities and reflection time

Grade VIII - The wonders of Rajasthan: Jaisalmer and Bikaner

The grade VIIIs went to Jaisalmer and Bikaner this year - the place of vast deserts and royal palaces.

Travel by train followed by a bus journey, the children saw many one-humped camels, goats, ponds, cacti, windmills (hurrah for the use of clean energy!) and sand dunes. Students stayed in a camp in the middle of the desert half an hour away from Jaisalmer. Students visited historical sites, enjoyed visiting a local government school, a museum, traditional Rajasthani cuisine and folk music/dance/puppet show, a camel safari and camel research Centre.

Forts: The Patwa haveli. was made by Guman Chand Patwa and mesmerised the students. In the words of a student “The haveli is designed like a Lego house and it is made of yellow sandstone. What’s more- the windows could be moved from the inside.” The Jaisalmer Fort is a fort that is still lived in. 2000 people currently reside inside the fort and they own shops.

Junagadh Fort at Bikaner had sprawling and luxurious bedrooms, guest rooms and weapons. The coronation room and courtroom had many walls studded with precious stones and gold. It had a World War I era plane and an interesting way of air conditioning used long ago - involving the use of water, a spray and a hand pump.

Museums: At the Jaisalmer War Museum, the children saw various weapons and tools used in various wars and operations by the Indian Army. Students saw tanks and planes that had been used by the Indian Army. They were explained what Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra were. They also watched a film on the Indian Armed Forces and were filled with pride and respect for those who selflessly guard the nation.

Shree Sadul Museum named after one of the kings of Bikaner had a collection of weapons, cutlery, golf clubs, polo clubs cameras, sunglasses and paintings belonging to the royal family - it was a glimpse into the past and the old style of living. They learned that the royal family used private train coaches and had a private train station in their palace!

School visit: The students visited a local government school - Amar Sagar Village School. They saw their classrooms and had a chat with the schoolchildren. They played a cricket match with the hosts. As one of the children said, "even without a proper cricket pitch to train and play in, they beat us in two overs in a four over match. This showed us that if you have the talent and willpower, and if you put in enough effort, you succeed.” They met the sarpanch of the village (who was also the Principal of the school) and had a discussion with her. She told them that they treated their school as a temple and took their shoes off outside the classroom. Their school was a Sanskrit medium school. They discussed the differences in the two schools while acknowledging the common goal of providing the best learning possible.

Other activities: The camel safari was fun. The camels had very creative names - Michael Jackson, Cheta Lal Ka Bhai, Children were amused that there was a whole Cheta Lal family of camels: "Cheta Lal Ki Beti, Beta and of course, the most important, Cheta Lal himself!

A Rajasthani puppet show regaled the students and at night a DJ had the students swaying to the beats of the music.

Karni Mata Temple also known as the Rat Temple had the children on tenterhooks- most of the students were apprehensive at the prospect of encountering thousands of rats. It is home to more than twenty-five thousand rats! There were rats everywhere. They were harmless and were only interested in food. After coming out of the temple, the students realized that it was not a bad experience at all.

The Camel Research Centre had camels of many colours - white, brown and even black! Students learnt that camel milk was healthy, contains low fat, used for ice cream, kheer, tea and coffee, sold at the Centre.