Twenty five students of class 9 escorted by two teachers – Ms.S.Badhwar and Paridhi Singh went for a round square adventure outing to Ralamandal on 31 August 2008.All of us were looking forward to it as this was our first round square adventure outing. When we reached there we were all full with zeal and enthusiasm to face the challenges. We were divided into two groups and the group who reaches first would win. We found two routes and we took the route less traveled by to make the trek more exciting and adventurous. We found that everything is not that ideal in life and faced those hardships. We had taken a difficult route but those difficulties failed in front of our unity and courage. We helped everyone even if they were not our teammates. Each one of us wanted to be the first to reach the top. We were stuck many times and found no route ahead but anyhow made our way out from the rocks. We also had fun clicking photos on the way amongst those rocks to cherish those hard times where we learnt to overcome our fear and face the challenges with a passion to defeat them. Finally we were on the top. All of us had reached within half an hour. At the top we took photos and enjoyed the place. While coming down we had the freedom to choose any path without any instructions of the teacher. We all reached with our innovative routes. On reaching down we ate food and discussed our experiences. We also had a camel ride and played many games. This was a trip whose memories we can’t erase from our minds. it taught us that the difficulties of life can be overcame by courage and unity. Our success was possible only because of the support from our friends and they all need to be credited for that.

“I took the road less traveled by and that has made all the difference”

We found in ourselves our new form of sportsmanship, team spirit and help for others. In life we will have to face many difficulties and this was the beginning of the learning to face those difficulties and win.

Thrill, Fun, Adventure, Challenges, these were the words that echoed in our ears when we started for our trip to Tirthan. On 5TH October 20 students with Mrs. Bhavna Bhatnagar reached Bhopal and boarded the Shatabdi Express to Delhi. After a night halt at Delhi we went to Chandigarh. The 8 hour ride from Chandigarh to our campus at Tirthan was quite tiring but we played antakshri and tried to make every moment memorable. After reaching the tirthan campus, we could not restrain our excitement any further and jumped with joy. Then we were showed our tents.

In the morning we were all spell bound seeing the beauty of the place. The hills on all sides seemed to guard us and were full of trees. The river flowing by our side seemed to be the most enthralling creation of God. ‘It was a paradise on earth’.

On the first day we went for a trek to a nearly fish farm, where we were taught skills and techniques of trekking to keep safe. The “Leave No Trace” rules were explained to us by giving us themes based on LNT principles and we directed skits on them. At the fish farm we did queer but interesting things like touching the fish & feeding them.  On  a  our way back we had a activity for which we were assigned partners & we were blind  folded ,our  partners had to guide us to our campus with only  verbal instructions & touching was not allowed . It was difficult to explain the terrain as there were rocks, mud & off course the river. We all did a great job & reached safely. It was a wonderful experience & we were all totally dependent on our partners & trusted them blindly.

In the afternoon we went for boldering which is climbing rocks without any equipment. It was very challenging and at times we felt like giving up but difficulties stood nowhere in front of our will power.

On the second day we were taught map skills and the use of a compass. We had to go to a distant waterfall and had to draw a map till there. Every on wanted their map to be the best and all worked to achieve that goal. The sight of the water fall was so relaxing that we wished to leave every thing and stay there for ever. In the afternoon we went in to the chilled river water and enjoyed ourselves to the most. We also had to plan our activity for the third day – night out – the biggest challenge of all.

The third day was the best of all it involved a lot of team work, unity and leadership. Life looked like a challenge awaiting us. Our task was to complete a 5 kms. Long trek uphill in 3 hours with having rack sacks. If we reached 10 minutes early we would earn 200 bonus points, and reaching 10 minutes late would take 100 points. We had to make the maximum points possible. We were given a map and without any instructor we had to find our way to the tiger hill. We took halts but within two and half hours we did it. We were there and showed every one that we were not afraid of challenges. We got another challenge to pitch our tents without any help. Our tents were perfect. Waiting for us was another challenge, the one which was the most exciting, new, difficult and fun filled .we had to cook our own dinner. It was something that many of us were to do for the first time. Some chopped onions while others washed the dal. Some cut potatoes and others cooked rice. We had a campfire and we entertained others by dancing, singing and also performing a skit. Then we had our dinner and we never thought that we could cook such amazing food. All of us were left licking our fingers. We slept in the tents that we pitched. That day is unforgettable.

The next day we trekked downhill & picked up the litter that we found on our way . We had collected 7kgs of litter. After such a hectic day we chose to relax for sometime. In the afternoon we drew some pictures that pleased everyone. Some of us drew flowers while some drew trees. Than we went for our afternoon activity – tera tera.

Every morning we had a chota hajari session where we did many activities and played many games. We also had a solo and reflection session where we penned down our days experience in a book given to us and shared it with our pals. On the final day, we set beside the river and thought for ourselves what we learnt at the camp. This camp has taught us a lot .we discovered our new selves popping up with confidence and a thirst for challenges. We also had a bead ceremony in which we were awarded two beads. One for ourselves and the other to be buried at Tirthan with a promise to change our bad qualities. Later we had a talent night. We showed our talents in different ways, some danced, some played a musical instruments some others did a skit. After that we all danced and thanked our wonderful instructors for their guidance, support and sporty spirit. We enjoyed a lot and had loads of fun. In the morning we bid goodbye to tirthan.

This trip taught all of us to celebrate life, to be happy even in harsh conditionsWe learnt a lot that perseverance, team work, trust, co-operation, friendliness can melt stones, and we learned to accept challenges with a spirit to defeat them.

This trip has left footprints on our hearts which can never be erased. We discovered things that we had never thought.

In the end I, on behalf of everyone thank our Principal Mr. Sumer Singh, Mam Badhwar, Vice Principal Mr. Potty for organizing such a wonderful trip and Mam Bhatnagar for escorting us.