Adventure clubs in colleges from next academic year

While several recreational activities are conducted at colleges, there are no programmes to develop a sense of adventure and exploration among students.

The department of Collegiate Education, in order to address the same, has decided to start Adventure Clubs at all first grade colleges of the State.

In a circular issued on January 29, the department has instructed colleges to start the clubs, so that students studying in colleges be exposed to trekking, mountaineering and other adventure activities. By conducting such activities the department hopes to generate awareness about nature and environmental conservation among the students.

Adventure activities for the clubs thus started, will be taken up in association with the department of Youth Empowerment and Sports, and General Thimayya National Academy of Adventure. There is also skepticism that the clubs will serve little or no purpose in a large number of colleges in the State, due to various factors.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Rooparaj Chandan, Joint Director, department of Collegiate Education said that even though colleges have been instructed to open Adventure Clubs, activities could be taken up based on “feasibility” of the same in colleges.
“The purpose of such Clubs is to generate an interest among students about the varieties of adventure activities that could be taken up. Adventure activities increases bravery among students and could be conducted locally, without colleges incurring any high expenses,” he said.

He said that no special funds would be allotted for the clubs to take up activities, but colleges could use the funds sanctioned under College Development Council funds and College Development Funds. However, it is not compulsory to start adventure clubs, he added.

Sources in the department said that even though forming such clubs was a novel initiative, the clubs would be of little success, due to various factors. One of the major hindrances for organising extracurricular activities at first grade colleges, is a severe shortage of staff.  “There are colleges, where there is only a principal and one lecturer. It would be too demanding to ask such colleges to organise adventure activities, unless basic facilties are provided,” he said.