Khoj, the Outbound Learning Expedition a journey where powerful experiences unfold and curiosity and creative anxiety of the unknown exist at every turn. It is a wilderness expedition where children and facilitators explore and experience the outside world in its true sense. In Khoj, we use challenge, adventure and service to overcome physical, emotional and cognitive limitations and help them discover their hidden potential and skills.
Khoj is an integrated experience that focuses on holistic engagement and development of the learner. Based on Outward Bound (www.outwardbound.net) principles and pedagogy, it has following elements:
a) Skill Building: The first part of the KHOJ will focus on building skills that children will use during final challenge. The idea is to prepare the group for the expedition.
b) Working in Crews: Diversity and inclusivity in crews dramatically increases the richness of ideas, ability to solve problems and capacity to act. As the expedition unfolds, crews will be expected to take more responsibility for the navigation and decision-making. The idea is to build on each other’s strengths and create a synergy in the group and ensure that the skills learnt during the expedition become tools for success for the final challenge.
c) Final Expedition: Expedition will include at least one big challenge like doing a social campaign, climbing the peak, a daylong rafting expedition, making a trail, working with the community on a pressing issue, etc. These challenges push the crewmembers to find strength that they did not know they had. During the final challenge the leadership is real and the success is theirs for keeps.
d) Reflection and Sharing: Solitude, reflection and silence replenish our energies and open our minds. It is during the reflection that learners make a connection with what they experienced during the expedition and their life. It is time for constructing new understanding and knowledge and most importantly, to re-invent Self.
e) Service: During service, learners are encouraged to work with communities on real life issues, which help them in experiencing what it takes to live by values. It also helps them to empathize and connect with issues of equality, justice and denial.
Khoj has expeditions designed for children from Grade 4 to 12 i.e. children in the age group of 10 to 17 years. The expeditions are 7 to 12 days long, designed based on the curriculum needs, interest of the children, life skills that need to be developed and the habitat in which Khoj takes place.
For a more detailed understanding of Khoj please download the brochure.