Mangaluru: Far from the glossy, high-priced summer camps, an unique initiative in Uttara Kannada district is shaping young minds without charging hefty fees or relying on modern gadgets. In the forested stretches of Devarakallali near Manchikere in Yellapura of Uttara Kannada district, children, mostly from the Siddi tribe, are rediscovering art, culture and nature through a 15-day camp rooted in environment consciousness. The camp that ended on Tuesday is totally free. The Siddi Trust has been organising this camp since 2006. The programme brings together children in an open, natural setting from 9am to 5pm each day, where learning happens through hands-on, eco-friendly activities.Geetha Siddhi, trust member, said Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy collaborated with the trust this year to organise the camp. Children engaged in a variety of creative pursuits, including mask-making, drawing, folk dance, storytelling and Warli art, all without the use of plastic and with a strong emphasis on sustainability.“The idea is to ensure that everything the children learn is connected to nature,” she said. While the camp is open to all, a majority of participants come from the Siddi community. Elders and members of the community actively contribute by teaching traditional songs, practices and folklore, ensuring that cultural knowledge is passed to the next generation.Nurturing performance skillsThe camp also nurtures performance skills. This year, the children staged Hakki Haadu, a work by poet and playwright Kotiganahalli Ramaiah. The script was translated into Konkani and performed by the children.“In a refreshing contrast to urban camps, most of the children here do not own mobile phones. They spend their time interacting, creating and learning together,” Geetha, the first woman PhD holder from the community, said. Children bring grains from their homes, which are then collectively cooked and served. The trust also uses any surplus funds to support children’s education.Environmentalist and Sahyadri Sanchaya convenor Dinesh Holla, who has been associated with the camp as a resource person, said, “This camp ensures holistic development of children. At the same time, it grounds them in their cultural roots and teaches them the importance of protecting the environment.”
