After some time, we made our way to an open field. This is where we all truly understood the beauty of nature – its tranquility. We could look up and see entire constellations, and we didn’t need to worry about the constant honking of traffic on the road. It was a unique experience, completely different from anything that we’d ever experienced in the city.
On day 4 we set out on a hike with the mission to rock climb on the side of the mountain. Once we reached the destination, we looked up at the uneven side of the mountain, the one which we were supposed to climb using nothing but a harness, a rope, and our limbs. Once we climbed up the mountain, we had to rappel down, as our bodies were completely parallel to the ground.
After a short lunch break back at the campsite, we ventured out to do the last activity of camp, the survival challenge. As we were split into groups of 3, we ventured into the woods and had a riveting but challenging task, as we were required to make a shelter for our whole group by simply using a tarp and natural materials. This was even tested by throwing water on the shelter, as well as pushing it. All three shelters stayed strong and were able to overcome these challenges.
These were more of a test of our physical strength and endurance rather than our ability to control our nerves. Activities like the ladder climb also came with unexpected scares, like an (almost) free fall drop from the top. Many of us pulled out our cameras to capture and remember the priceless reactions of our peers. And so the day ended with a bonfire and rest.
The third day started off a little more slowly, with a short hike to a local jam factory. It might not sound like the most exciting thing, but it allowed us to gain a very useful insight into how local businesses function, and the jam also served as one of the main souvenirs that we got from the trip.
In the afternoon, we did an introduction to first aid. We learnt about the difference between a med kit and a first aid kit, and the medical equipment you might find in both. We also got a chance to do an actual first aid scenario where some of our peers pretended to have certain symptoms and we had to adequately treat them. This exercise helped us learn an important life skill and we were grateful to have this experience.
As the sun fell, we were all set to embark on a hike through the woods. We were used to regular hiking, but this time it was pitch black, and without our flashlights we couldn’t see more than a few steps ahead of us.
After some time, we made our way to an open field. This is where we all truly understood the beauty of nature – its tranquility. We could look up and see entire constellations, and we didn’t need to worry about the constant honking of traffic on the road. It was a unique experience, completely different from anything that we’d ever experienced in the city.
On day 4 we set out on a hike with the mission to rock climb on the side of the mountain. Once we reached the destination, we looked up at the uneven side of the mountain, the one which we were supposed to climb using nothing but a harness, a rope, and our limbs. Once we climbed up the mountain, we had to rappel down, as our bodies were completely parallel to the ground.
After a short lunch break back at the campsite, we ventured out to do the last activity of camp, the survival challenge. As we were split into groups of 3, we ventured into the woods and had a riveting but challenging task, as we were required to make a shelter for our whole group by simply using a tarp and natural materials. This was even tested by throwing water on the shelter, as well as pushing it. All three shelters stayed strong and were able to overcome these challenges.
Once we finished building our shelters, we cleared up, and after a quick trek down and a walk across the bamboo bridge, we reached the cool, flowing stream, in which we parked to make any teenager’s favorite food: Maggi! By only using natural materials to cook the noodles gave us students a sense of accomplishment. After cleaning up, we finished the day with a cozy bonfire, as everyone chattered away about the amazing experiences we had, as we exchanged stories about our memorable trip.
Our final day began way earlier than anyone would have liked, 5:30. Running on very little sleep but a mix of excitement and reluctantness, we packed up our bags one last time and said goodbye to the camp. The five-hour bus ride to our lunch stop felt quieter than the journey there. Some of us slept, some stared out at the mountains we were leaving behind, and others shared the best moments of the last 3 days. After lunch, a short half-hour drive brought us to the airport. Boarding the flight made it all feel real, the adventure that we had been counting down to for an entire month was officially coming to an end.
Looking back at all the memories we made as a class, Rajgharh was more than just a survival camp in the mountains. It was 5 days of stepping outside our comfort zones, engaging with people we would never have interacted with before. It was about laughing over shared maggi, forging new friendships, and most importantly, discovering that we are more capable than we think. Even though the mountains are behind us now, the memories we made and the bonds we built will always stay with us, only strengthened by the passage of time.
