In the Camp; The Opening Day
“Trust yourselves to be kind, helpful, and honest,” she said. “That is what makes a true camper.”
The summer camp days that Murali and his friends had been eagerly awaiting finally arrived. Nestled in the lush green campus of his school, surrounded by tall coconut palms swaying gently in the warm breeze and vibrant hibiscus flowers blooming along the paths, the camp promised a magical escape from the hot April sun. Fresh mangoes hung from nearby trees, and the distant call of koels added a sweet melody to the air.
Vice Principal Indira, a kind woman with a warm smile and a neatly tied sari, was in charge. Everyone had to report by 5 p.m. on April 10th. By 4:15 p.m., all fifty participants were there, including Lyla, who clutched her small backpack with excitement.
After a quick check-in, they walked to the large meeting hall. The hall was a spacious room with high ceilings and colourful charts on the walls—maps of Kerala, drawings of elephants, and houseboats gliding through the backwaters. Murali, Lyla, and the other thirteen children from their school knew the place well. For the thirty-five students from eight different schools across the state, the wide campus with its shady verandas and sparkling pond felt brand new.
“Look at those butterflies!” whispered a girl from Thrissur, pointing to a cluster of blue ones fluttering among the hibiscus flowers.
At 5:30 p.m., Teacher Indira stepped in and gave her welcome speech.
“Dear children, I’m thrilled to see fifty bright faces! I already know fifteen of you, and the other thirty-five are my new friends. Welcome to camp—you are all like my own children now. I promise this will be a fun adventure for everyone. We’ll enjoy nature walks, folk dances under the stars, and even make fresh coconut laddoos together.”
A boy from Kozhikode raised his hand politely.
“Ma’am, will we get to play in the pond?” he asked, eyes wide with hope.
Teacher Indira laughed softly. “Yes, Arjun, but only after we learn safe swimming rules from an instructor. Safety first, remember?”
Arjun was amazed—she had remembered his name! He felt at home at once.
Then the teacher turned to Lyla. “And Lyla, I see your sketchbook. What will you draw for us?”
Lyla blushed but answered clearly, “I want to draw campfires and games, ma’am—maybe all of us holding hands.”
“Wonderful!” Teacher Indira smiled.
She explained that the camp would have two kinds of activities: some planned by the teachers, like, story circles about Kerala’s legends and early-morning yoga, and others created by the children themselves. No teacher would stand over them to check behaviour. They had to show the best manners and self-control on their own.
“Trust yourselves to be kind, helpful, and honest,” she said. “That is what makes a true camper.”
After the speech, Teacher Indira sent them to the sleeping areas.
“Arrange your space as if it were your own little home—tidy, respectful, and ready for sharing. Be back here at 6:30 p.m.”
The dormitories were bright classrooms turned into cosy corners. Low wooden beds wore crisp white sheets; small bamboo shelves waited for bags. The children moved quietly, following the rules.
Murali unfolded his mat, smoothed every wrinkle, then folded his clothes into neat squares. Water bottle, flashlight, storybook—everything stood in a perfect row. “No clutter here,” he whispered, proud.
Ravi from Palakkad watched and grinned. “My shelf looks messy—let me fix that!” He straightened his towel and socks with careful hands.
No one rushed or grabbed. They passed things with soft “please” and “thank you,” turning tidy-up time into a gentle game. When they finished, every corner shone like a tiny, happy garden.
At 6:30 p.m. sharp, fifty children sat cross-legged in the hall. Teacher Indira’s eyes twinkled.
“Welcome back! Your challenge: plan tomorrow from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. Morning yoga and the rest of the day are already fixed. Include waking up, brushing, breakfast, breaks, and fun events. Write clear goals and steps. Teachers will not help—you are the planners! You have until 9 p.m. We’ll discuss for forty-five minutes, then enjoy a late dinner at 10 p.m.—a small change from home routines. Ready?”
“Yes, ma’am!” fifty voices rang out.
Priya from Ernakulam leaned forward. “Ma’am, what if we have different ideas?”
“Speak kindly and vote fairly,” Teacher Indira replied. “Listen to every voice—that is how leaders grow.”
“Your time starts… now!”
The teachers stepped out. Fifty heads bent together, pencils scratched, and the camp’s first adventure began.
***
Life-Skills Introduced in This Chapter
Taking Initiative: Stepping up to plan and create activities without adult guidance, encouraging kids to unleash their own ideas and skills.
Self-Discipline: Managing behavior and responsibility on their own, without constant supervision, to build independence and maturity.
Teamwork and Collaboration: Working together as a group of diverse participants to discuss, plan, and organize camp events effectively.
Goal-Setting and Planning: Creating clear objectives, steps, and schedules for activities, from morning routines to fun events, to achieve a successful day.
Adaptability to New Experiences: Embracing unfamiliar settings and people, like a new campus or friends from other schools, to make the most of adventures like camp.
