Yatra.com Blog

Wouldn’t you be interested in sending your kids to a very rewarding, enjoyable and enriching holiday where they make new friends, enjoy the time off and most importantly have real-life education? If this looks appealing then read on…

“Alternative” is the buzzword these days whether used with “Therapy”, “Music”, “Yoga”, “Medicines”, “Apparel” etc. Here is one more to add to the list – “Summer Breaks”. And this one definitely deserves more attention than most of its illustrious peers.

The traditional residential schools in India - Gurukul’s used to train students not just in academics but also ensured their overall development by inculcating an attitude of service, respect, compassion etc. This was done by assigning them household jobs at the Gurukul. These mundane jobs would ensure that the students irrespective of their social standings would imbibe the virtues of hard work, self service in their lives.

The idea behind “Alternative Summer breaks” is similar though not full-time – to expose the kids to social projects where they can contribute to the society in their own small but meaningful ways and at the same time be sensitive to the needs and problems in the society. Moreover, they make new friends and have a fun holiday that they remember for a long time. A byproduct of this vacation is confidence which is very essential as they grow up to take bigger challenges in life.

Imagine the possibilities – the kids in India volunteer a week to rebuild the homes of people who have lost everything because of natural disasters like earthquake in Bhuj or Tsunami in Andaman Islands or because of Floods in Orissa and West Bengal. These kids would become more sensitive to needs of others and in the process help in uplifting of the society. More than two birds with one stone…

I feel its worth sending kids to one such vacation. What do you think?

–Swapnil