Trip objective- CAS is a vital component of IB Diploma Programme which is meant to be the journey to self-discovery. Being a part of the core, it makes CAS both compulsory and central to the philosophy of the Diploma Programme. Similarly, SEWA is a vital part of the IGCSE programme. It is a precursor to the IBDP CAS and is dealt in the same manner as CAS.
Both CAS and the SEWA initiative, encourage students to grow personally and socially. These programmes help students in developing skills such as communication, cooperation, problem-solving, conflict resolution, creative and critical thinking and explore their own identities. Students are encouraged to set challenging goals and develop the commitment and perseverance to achieve them.
IBDP’s completion of CAS is based on the achievement of the seven learning outcomes with a reasonable balance between Creativity, Activity, and Service. This balance is visible most in the CAS trip organised for the students by the school. The students of IBDP Year 1, IBDP Year 2, IGCSE Year 1 and IGCSE Year 2 went to Camp Wild at Dhauj (7th and 8th April 2022) where they experienced a number of activities which linked to the 7 Learning Outcomes of CAS.
Process- We got in touch with and received proposals from 3 vendors quoting the proposed plan and amount per head. Out of the three we visited Camp Rocksport to check the preparedness and facilities of the venue. After various discussions with the IGCSE and DP coordinators and our sports HOD Deepika Mehndiratta ma’am we finalized at Camp Wild, Dhauj. Deepika Ma’am also got the facilities upgraded from camps to cottages at the same price after negotiating with Camp Wild.
The activities of the trip were planned across 2 days-
Day 1- Team-building activities and obstacle course activities like Beam Balance, Ship’s mast net, Burma Plank steps loop and Horizontal Ladder. They also explored working collaboratively in team sports like cricket and badminton.
Day 1 was devoted, therefore, mainly to the Activity strand of CAS.
Day 2- The day started with a short trek. Students cleaned up the hill as well as the nearby area for the local villagers. The highlight of the day was the visit to the Cow shelter and Organic farm. Our students learnt about the various plants grown in the organic farm and the various seasons/cycles of sowing and reaping. They also learnt about the cows in the cow shelter and also fed them some fresh plants from the farm. The local farmer took up a session with our children about village life. He spoke about the various uses of cow dung and demonstrated how fuel cakes are made. Our students also tried making fuel cakes. The day ended with a tree plantation activity to offset our carbon footprints.
Day 2 was devoted to the Service strand of CAS.
The trip concluded with evening de-brief and reflections conducted by the CAS Coordinator where students introspected with deep insight on the experiences of the day.
The students were greatly enriched by their experiences of the trip and will now write their formal reflections in their CAS portfolio.
