Valuable lessons in mother nature for the whole school
Bishop Cotton School, Shimla (BCS), which is celebrating its 164th birthday this year, has just taken the entire school out on wildlife trips to seven different states around India. (Tour dates: April 4-11th April 2023).
This year’s theme for the school trips was wildlife and conservation in India’s national parks.
It was also a chance to give the children space to explore the great outdoors and discover ‘Mother Nature’ freely out of the classroom.
Research has suggested that outdoor learning boosts confidence, social skills, communication, motivation, physical skills, knowledge and understanding.
The boys (Classes 3 – 12), were accompanied by staff and tour guides to see some of the wonders of India appreciating wildlife and Mother Nature on jungle safaris together – seeing the animals in their own environment.
The main message was conservation and appreciation of India’s beautiful national parks, animals, rivers and heritage and some great memories were certainly made along the way by everyone out on tour.
The same week PM Modi also went on safari, and visited the ‘Elephant Whisperers’, totally in sync with our school’s message of preserving nature.
Some BCSsafari jeeps saw the big cats – tigers, lions and leopards and others some saw elephants, crocodiles, rhinos and even a river dolphin. Flocks of birds, wild animals and different deer were spotted by Cottonians, and all the students came back having had a great experience together of the hunt and appreciating the great outdoors.
One parent, said: “It was a great endeavor by the school authorities to take the boys close to nature. They must learn to value Mother Nature and from here on, the younger generation needs to start thinking about protecting what we have depleted. “I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees.”
A big thank you to all our hardworking tour leaders and BCS staff who looked after our children night and day along the way.
The full list of locations visited by BCS wildlife tours:
1. Rajasthan, Ranthambore National Park
2. Uttarakhand, Jim Corbett National Park
3. Madhya Pradesh & Chattisgarh, Kanha & Bandavgarh, National Park
4. Gujrat, Gir National Park
5. Karnataka: Bannerghatta & Bandipur National, Park
6. North East: Kaziranga National Park
7. Kerala: Periyar & Thekkaday National Parks
Benefits of going on Safari:
- Seeing animals in the wild
- Supporting conservation efforts.
- Supporting local communities.
- Seeing spectacular landscapes.
- Great photography opportunities.
- Explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- A unique experience every time.
- A chance to relax with friends in a new environment.
