Summary

Following the success of some backpacking course. We were able to gain the support of the school who shared positive views about the course in the community. We were approached by non-governmental organizations that wished for us to organize a similar course. In order to spread awareness of outdoor education to as many students as possible rather than focusing one many student from one school. We decided to bring in 4 students from 4 schools from April 15th to 19th, 2018 at Machhapuchhre Model Route, Kaski. This program was held with a functional memorandum of understanding between our Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) and freedom social foundation.

Background

We were approached by officials of Annapurna Conservation Area Project, Unit Conservation Office, Lwang https://ntnc.org.np/. So as to educate students of the school who are reading conservation education which program is running in the respective schools of students.  Our focus turned to jump starting the project. Only educational curriculum taught to our students in school is mostly limited to theoretical knowledge. Feeling this necessity of outdoor education which will allow them to learn and understand interaction with nature we organized outdoor education program allows students to explore and appreciate the outdoors and instills the skills of outdoor leadership, risk assessment, conflict management, and environmental education. ACAP accepts our proposal as its very project of outdoor education like this program. We were touched and inspired by the Annapurna Conservation Area Project, Unit Conservation Office, Lwang and there was no way we would let down the opportunity to work with them.

The Students

Here is the list of students that joined the first pilot program.

S.N.	Photos	Name	Class	Gender	Age
1		Sagar Gurung	9	M	15
2		Bibas Gurung	8	M	14
3		Kanchan Gurung	9	F	15
4		Prakriti Acharya	9	F	15
5		Amol Gurung	8	M	15
6		Yesmita Ramjali	8	F	14
7		Sanjana Garbuja	8	F	14
8		Keshav Bahadur Chhetri	9	M	16
9		Bhakta Bahadur Pun Magar	9	M	16
10		Susan Pokhrael	9	M	16
11		Apil Adhikari	8	M	14
12		Sarita Mizar	9	F	16
13		Aakanksha Nepali	9	F	15
14		Durga Nepali	10	F	16
15		Sandhya Banstola	10	F	16
16		Santosh Banstola	9	M	15
17		Ashmita Ranabhat	8	F	14

Team

Here is the list of people that volunteered for this project.

Expense Report

All expenses were borne by National Trust for Nature Conservation Area, Annapurna Conservation Area Project, Unit Conservation Office, Lwang.

Outcome

Here is the key outcome of the first pilot project in bullet points.

• We have been able to get the project rolling.
• The project was cherished by the students so we have had positive feedback from the Annapurna Conservation Area Project.
• The school appreciated the program and agreed to provide more students if needed in the next program.
• Some of the personnel from the local government were positively impacted by the program and want for us to organize yet another project bringing together youth from ten different schools in the locality.
• We have also been pledged monetary support for the next project.
• We have now managed to incorporate canyoning into our outdoor curriculum.
• Annapurna Conservation Area Project is interested to work with us in the upcoming future.
• We now have 100+ students who feel confident to share what they have learned to other freshers.
• We have successfully expanded outdoor education outside of the Annapurna region.

Reviews & Reactions

Apart from the positive response from the students, schools, and Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) also appreciated by release news on backpacking /outdoor education course in their official news and bulletin “Prakariti” and “Hariya paila haru”.

Conclusion

A tiny step towards the high strides that we hope to take in the future, the project was an immense success. Appreciated by ACAP and school and cherished to bits by the students that took part. We ended on a high note with the outdoors instilled in the hearts of the students. Organizing this course has taught us that a specialized course allows students to better appreciate and have a more insightful view of outdoor activity. 

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