Executive Summary

The Experience Outdoors Nepal (EON) Programs offer school groups and other organizations access to the greatest outdoor classroom for experiential learning. Experience Outdoors Nepal realizes that many educational objectives are best met through classroom learning; however some goals are met through active participation in an outdoor setting. The program offers leadership development, ecology, natural history, personal development and outdoor skills including Nepal’s rock climbing, rafting, and trekking. The Experience Outdoors Nepal spirit and community-based approach to experiential learning sets the tone for an atmosphere in which it is acceptable for students to take on this unique challenge. Upon completion, EON will have facilitated a vast growth for the student.

The Experience Outdoors Nepal is dedicated to its program with global partners, experienced staff, and international credibility. Teachers, administrators and students can participate, side-by-side and share ideas and beliefs in a relaxed, educational forum while our staff leads activities. Staff members are trained to frontload and debrief activities in order to maximize the overall learning experience. The Experience Outdoors Nepal believes that the learning, which takes place here, is transferable to student's life at home or at school.

Students also take part in a local development project, putting ideas into action and together leave a healthy mark for Nepal. Through discussions, our evenings are filled with reflection and open debates about existing social and values. Testimonies show how a group of strangers come together with EON and leave with a sense of family or close friendship. The program breaks the barrier between cultures in addition to formal program objectives.

Program length can be individually tailored to meet your needs and goals or allow us to set the program with your learning objectives. Experience Outdoors Nepal welcomes the opportunity to discuss the wide range of possibilities for your group.

Background

Experience Outdoors Nepal is an institution that combines outdoor adventure activities with culture and environment studies for local and international students. Most of all, students experience adventure, local environment and the necessity of sustainability. As urban sprawl continues, the connection between people and nature grows apart. With 15 years of trekking experience, local guide and director joins international professionals to create the lead for international field studies – creating a comprehensive and rich experience that collides with local and international culture.

Experience Outdoors Nepal is an institution dedicated to provide comprehensive educational adventure courses through experiential learning for students. It provides the platform for the next generation to be aware of their potentials and how co-existence of man nature can be achieved. It gives them the opportunity to develop their skills in wilderness and enjoy the environment and natural beauty. As Nepal is a country which has a great potential as a travel destination it is important for the young generation to have the experience of wilderness adventure so in future they can contribute to this cause.

Vision

Experience Outdoors Nepal exists to rebuild the connection between people and nature by fostering awareness in cultural and natural surroundings.

Mission

With the field as our classroom, our education is through the experiences with local professionals, the exchange of culture, environment studies, and outdoor activities. Experience Outdoors Nepal offers alternative education to strengthen local tourism and international perspective of Nepal and set the standard for proactive environment practices.

Goals

1. Provide safe, rewarding, and enjoyable experiences and facilitate the participants’ growth.

2. Enhance participants’ outdoor skills and cultural knowledge.

3. Provide professional and industry lading instruction.

4. Create awareness, understanding, and appreciation in the difference in quality of life.

5. Become leaders in the industry and provide leadership development opportunities.

Program Details

Depending on the time of year, ON offers 15-day or 20-day programs – all include the following components:
An Orientation to program
Over two days, our orientation will cover program details, code of conduct, learning objectives, equipment, cultural awareness, and environmental awareness. Instruction will be from a variety of local professionals including representatives of relative ministries.

River, Rock and Trek.
Rafting - The foremost reason for rafting down the white water river is to experience the thrill and the rush of adrenaline which is being rarer to find in everyday life. But on top of that it gives the students an opportunity to learn skills with oars and paddles and the safe practices of white water and how a student can be self-reliant. This provides the unique opportunity for the student to acquire the skills for preparing the raft and encountering the rapids of white waters.

Rock – Learn different knots and when to use them. Our tailor made rock climbing packages for the students will help them build confidence and knowledge. Above all, rock climbing imparts a sense of achievement like no other activity. ON provides quality instruction on artificial and natural surfaces. The challenge and progression is at the students pace. Since rock climbing using ropes and harnesses, students learn technical and safety skills including rapelling and belaying. ON has world class climbing instructors and low student: instructor ratio. The rock faces are from a 5.9 to 5.14, challenging any student in endurance and physical strength. Students master the fundamentals of anchors, belay systems, hardware and environment, both objective and subjective risks.

Trek - The best way to understand Nepal’s nature is to be submerged in multi-day trekking. Trekking teaches about the balance of life and the role one has to play for the survival of all. Living in mountainous regions, surrounded by nature is ON’s way to offer a true Nepalese experience. Here too, students will compile their learned skills and lead the group for one day. Trail management, map reading, compass use, weather predictions, Leave No Trace practices and general camp set-up and take-down.

Wilderness Essentials.
The luxury offered by the modern world has excused us to forget the basic essentials of survival. As it is important to be able to look after ones self, it is also important to support the group. First Aid, map and compass, route finding, Leave No Trace, and survival essentials.

Advanced First Aid and Rescue (Available with 20-day program only)
The students will learn medical problems likely to be faced by a traveler and the proactive measures as well as the reactive methods in remote areas. The essentials of emergency response will give individuals the tools to protect themselves and the members within their group. The instruction starts in Kathmandu and completes in remote areas for true practical experience. ON’s instructors are credited with the Nepal Mountaineering Association and international Doctors residing in Kathmandu.

In general-
The skills acquired through Leave No Trace (LNT) trainings instill individual responsibility that carries over from pristine backcountry to school yards, local parks, and even one's own backyard.
The students will have to learn to work in a group as a unit. They have to learn about the necessity of equipments and other requirement. The intra group competitions will bring out the best as an individual and as a group.

Learning Objectives

The following objectives are necessary for a strong outdoor program:
1.Provide a place where people with similar interests may meet:
The outdoor program serves as a place on campus where people may propose trips or activities to others. It is a place where they may gather free from pressures imposed by some structured circles, plans and initiate all kinds of wilderness activities, and find people who share these needs and feelings. People use this facility to put up trip sign-up sheets, check maps, sort and pack items and equipment. They use the craft center next door to rent, buy and construct items of equipment. The program has a collection of maps and books and may occasionally rent films as well.

2.Teach, lead, and be led:
Not everyone is capable of leading, but some may have these traits latently. By developing confidence in certain skills, a participant in the outdoor program may soon wish to "turn on" others to his newly found joy in, say hiking. Thus, a teacher and leader merge.

3.Provide Co-educational Group Outing:
All of the activities in the outdoor program are offered to boys and girls alike. Both participate in al stages of trip planning and preparation.

4.Trip selection:
A participant must be able to select trips and activities according to his interest and ability. This is the crux of the program People must have the option to choose outings that correspond to their interest and ability level.

5.The outdoor program will teach introductory and advanced skills:
Many activities are potentially dangerous and require some knowledge on everyone's part. by offering teaching sessions in activities such as rock climbing, mountaineering, camping, kayaking, rafting, canoeing, rubber boating and survival the program is assured that participants have had the opportunity to learn at least the basic skills and safety precautions necessary for a pleasant outing, people tend to pass on their newly acquired skills to other interested newcomers. This revolving instruction perpetuates itself and leaders emerge naturally.

It is not an objective of the outdoor program to structure situations where participants are coerced to discomfort. Over time, participants will gradually gain skills and tools to effectively handle issues they may confront during and after the program. When a participant learns in this fashion the confrontations are usually positive, the adventures highly exciting, and the experiences ecstatic.

Philosophy

EON realizes that many educational objectives are best met through integration of classroom learning with an active participation in the outdoors. EON approach to experiential learning sets the tone for an atmosphere in which it is acceptable for participants to step outside their comfort zone and take risks. These risks are the basis upon which participants explore their personalities and conscience.

Participants learn by putting their ideas into action in groups. The techniques acquired in the program will instill individual responsibility that carries over from pristine backcountry to school yards and even one's own backyard.

On aims to develop interpersonal skills and group dynamism through this program thus participants from different schools and background will come together as a team. Therefore, they are expected to interact and learn from other members.

After the completion of the program strangers will leave as friends having known to each other for years

Safety and Well-being

In any outdoor activity safety is primary concern - please review the pre-trip package for the students prior to arrival. During the first two-days, we review expectations, health and safety awareness, cultural awareness and the detailed agenda. We also share with you emergency contact numbers and the emergency planning for all the outdoor activities. Students are expected to conduct themselves in appropriate manners. Experience Outdoors Nepal will not be responsible for students participating in any illegal or political activities and for students who breach the contract for the duration of program.

Because the program includes physical activity and requires stamina and endurance, participants are required to physically prepare themselves prior to their arrival.

During your visit to Nepal, it is also important to educate yourself on the cultural expectations and prepare psychologically to accept cultural differences.

Enrollment Procedure

The trip coordinator will be required to initially contact EON through an email enquiry. All of our programs can be customized to the needs of international students including length of program, dates, and learning objectives. Because Experience Outdoors Nepal focuses on both objective and subjective skill development, we are in constant contact with the trip’s coordinator. In some instances, a representative will be available to deliver a presentation for the students or information can be provided for the trip coordinator.When the program is finalized, the pre-trip checklist and package is sent for all the students. It is the responsibility of students to obtain the proper documentation for their travels including:
1. Medical insurance.
2. Travel insurance.
3. Passport valid for at least 6 months upon arrival in Nepal.
4. Passport photos for Nepal Visa.
5. $30 USD for Nepal Visa (valid for 60 days with extensions available).
6. Vaccinations – check with local travel clinic for updated information.
7. Code of Conduct.

For Nepalese students:
Students must complete the following
1. Application form.
2. Reference letter from teacher representative from school.
3. Permission and waiver from parents (if applicable).
4. Code of Conduct

The selection committee will then request a medical and physical test to ensure the candidate is physically fit to conduct outdoor activities.

If candidate is physically fit to carry out the course he/she will be eligible to enroll in the program.

Logistics

Air Travel
EON will assist the flights arrangement to Kathmandu.

Ground Transportation
Included in the program fee is the transportation to and from airport, between towns, and within Kathmandu.

Accommodations
We offer a variety of accommodations for the participants during the program. This includes: Guest House, Hotel, Village homes, and camping. To understand the complexity of Nepal, the student will experience variable hospitality.

Meals
During the stay in Kathmandu, participants are responsible for their own meals. There are hundreds of options in Kathmandu and include cuisine from all over the world. Participants are expected to carry Nepalese currency for meals.

Insurance
We traverse through rugged topography and places where the level of perceived risk is high. Experience Outdoors Nepal is dedicated in providing quick medical responses with direct contact with our private helicopter service and international doctors who reside in Kathmandu, specializing in medial emergencies that are unique to the alpine region. Every participant of the program must be properly insured visiting Nepal. Please check with your insurance company that remote evacuation is included in your coverage.

Equipment
Experience Outdoors Nepal will provide all the group equipment for trekking, climbing, and rafting. Since temperatures can reach to 0 degrees Celsius with %of humidity, participants are required to bring personal items such as warm layers, toiletries, sleeping bag (rate to -20), waterproof and breathable jacket and pants, water bottles, flash light, knife and spoon, and good hiking boots. Any items from back home can also be purchased in Kathmandu but for your comfort, your own personal items are best.

Endorsements and affiliates

Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN)
Nepal Tourism Board (NTB)
Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA)
Nepal Association of Rafting Agents (NARA)
Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA)

Nepalese Certificate and Recognition

Participants are required to submit report outlining the lessons learnt and the benefits of the program on each of the SEVEN components: First Aid, Camping, Trekking, Rock Climbing, Wilderness Survival, Cooking, and Rafting. Successful participants are awarded "Certificate of Completion”. There is a 15-day and a 20-day certificate recognized by

Program Dates

15-day program Late April to early May and Late December to early January
20-day program Late May and Late August to early September
Experience Outdoors Nepal welcomes the opportunity to discuss the wide range of possibilities to suit your requirements.