Khoj- The Night Camp

“Childhood is not a race to see how quickly a child can excel academically. Childhood is a small window of time to play, build friendships, and have fun while learning along the way.”

The afternoon of November 16 witnessed hustle and bustle in the school foyer as everyone prepped for the most awaited event of the year- Khoj- the night camp. An event that fosters independence and responsibility in young children besides giving them an opportunity to embellish their childhood with unforgettable memories. The school foyer was bejeweled with sea creatures sashaying across the entire area, dolphins, crabs, turtles, jelly fish, sharks and many other sea creatures welcomed the young explorers as they arrived and got registration done. At the registration counter, the students were given individual luggage tags with their name and room number of the allotted room. This step was to ensure the safety of students’ luggage and to make students accountable for their belongings.  They looked adorably docile yet confident and full of excitement and vigour, as they entered the event premises. After getting their rooms allotted, they arranged their mattresses, made their beds, and unpacked their belongings carefully.  They were thrilled to begin the night’s journey with their friends and teachers.

The witnessing of the exhilarating part had already begun when the students arrived with face paintings, tattoos and accessories related to the life under the sea. The students, after having arranged their belongings, were called to assemble in the foyer for the night’s proceedings where welcome drink, a glass of refreshing watermelon juice, awaited them. Following that, they were extended a warm welcome by the teachers and filled the foyer with echoes of cheer and laughter. They were then addressed by the head of the school- Ms. Maheswari Natarajan ma’am, who welcomed them to be a part of the exciting night that we had planned for them, along with adherence to etiquettes. The guidance was further provided by Ms. Narmada, providing the students with necessary details of the activities and general instructions. There were a few performances- the first being prayer and shlok by teachers, a spectacle of instrumental performance by a group of students of Class V, and the second one being a dance performance by teachers of classes IV & V. The students were enthralled by the performance as their teachers presented dance on a Marathi folk song.

The Dipsites then changed into their informal outfits and blew the trumpet to begin the night with a rousing game of Treasure Hunt. The activities that followed were- Flip the Bottle, Feed the glass, Knock the ball, Dog and the Bone, and many more, celebrating the spirit of comradery, independence and fair play. The basketball court beamed with hails and celebration of victories coming from the various game kiosks. Once done, they were escorted to visit someone waiting for them in the Scary House. While the eerie decor of the room and the paranormal creature inside was scary for some, the others were amused by the fact that someone they saw every day was trying to frighten them. The students then proceeded for a delectable round of dinner. To ensure minimal food wastage, students were encouraged to take the required quantity and go for a second serving only if they feel the need. This helped students become watchful of their actions as a responsible citizen. All the four room students dined together in the foyer while watching some deep, inspiring clippings. The videos put emphasis on simplicity, honesty and the perseverant nature of human beings, impelling the students to be good examples themselves. Then came the most enthusing part of the night- camp fire. While the service staff lit the fire, the children scampered around and explored the area. They were overjoyed by the sight of camp fire and jived to the buzzing tunes under the night sky. They laughed and sang along the invigorating playlist.

It was heart-warming to see the students take care of each other’s safety during the campfire. They made sure that their friends were not left alone and were safe. After a long hour of flashing their dance move to the peppy beats, the Dipsites returned to the foyer where they were mesmerised by the presentation of their childhood memories on the big screen. They giggled and coaxed each other while they reminisced the good old days. It was time to ring down the curtain for the day and the students were asked to proceed to their rooms. The chirping diminished slowly as the children befriended their dreams.

The next morning began with a salving tone of Mayamalwa gowle and prayers led by the music department with the students assembled on the basketball court. They participated with remarkable enthusiasm in it and in the yoga, session led by the H&PE department that succeeded it. After a salubrious beginning of the day, the students proceeded to have a healthy breakfast comprising of a protein- rich delicacy from the southern part of India and a glass of milk. It was now time for the last activity to rejoice, called pointillism. The students participated in groups and ensured that their drawing was adorned with colourful dots made by dripping ear buds in paint as per the rules of the activity. They participated in this activity that cultivated the spirit of team work, with a prominent ardor of enthusiasm.

Towards the end, the winners of the activity were rewarded with special prizes and the rounds of applause and cheers echoed in the school building. Students were given opportunity to share their enthralling journey throughout the activity. The teachers expressed their gratitude and pleasure for the students having become a part of this major event. The salient features of the event included making the Dipsites vigilant, responsible and independent, and considering the manner in which they composed themselves during various activities depicted that they were sensible enough to carry the responsibilities on their young shoulders. Their efforts proved it to us that they are capable of taking care of themselves as well as others. And with a bunch of lifetime memories, the Dipsites returned home with their parents.

Added on: 16 Nov 2024

Published by: School Admin