What does a Caterpillar eat? Where does rain come from? What is botanical name of mango trees? Does your kid keeps buzzing you with numerous questions like these? Canopy Nature Academy's Young Naturalist Camp provides an opportunity for kids to explore more about nature and has answers for all their questions.
Canopy Nature Academy is the venture of an IT Employee, Saravanan Chandrasekaran. He is also the managing trustee of NGO Wild Wing Trust which works towards creating environmentally responsible citizens. The academy has been organising nature camps and sessions on other attributes of the living world ever since its inception.
Saravanan, Founder of this academy, talks to SimpliCity about the idea behind starting Canopy Nature Academy. "My dad was a Forest Officer so since childhood I was fascinated by nature and loved to be in its vicinity. I have been travelling for past 15 years so I got an opportunity to observe nature very closely. I wanted to put this learning in better ways and did not want it to be confined to myself.
And, hence two years back I came with a start-up venture 'Canopy Nature Academy;. I have 4 to 5 volunteers supporting me in this venture. We have conducted nearly 30 various events like Rain Camp at Silent Valley which let people experience the monsoon and trek through the Silent Valley during the rainy season, All women camp at Silent Valley, Young Naturalist Camp for kids, Gardening Workshop for kids" said Saravanan
Recently the academy conducted Young Naturalist Camp for kids in the age group of 9 to 14. When speaking about the camp Saravanan said "The camp was basically for who are passionate about nature and want to explore more of it. These kids have the curiosity to learn more about nature. We always limit the entry to 20 kids on board so that each kid can get individual attention. In these camps, the kids were taught about various trees and its scientific name, types of birds, the procedure of monitoring a tree and entering details into season watch which is a nationwide portal that tracks trees. The camp has four levels. Level 1 comprises of teaching kids about various species of trees, birds and their foods. Level 2 is about field trips where kids are taken to sanctuaries. Level 3 and Level 4 will be about serious overnight camping.
These will enable kids to work closely with nature, appreciate nature and become environmentally responsible. Already level one has been completed for the present batch this weekend the kids. They will be visiting Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary in Udumalpet and Anaikatti for level 4 training. Though schools give them a good amount of learning, undeniably, these camps of this sort will enable them to master the subjects of environment and nature."
Apart from the Young Naturalist Workshop, the academy has planned to conduct a gardening workshop on 27th of May for kids ranging from 6 to 9, who will be given hands-on gardening experience.
Parents who are interested in sending their kids to such workshops and sessions by Canopy Nature Academy can contact: 9003099166 or email: [email protected]