FAQ’s

We will be traveling by an AC private bus accompanied by 2 to 3 camp leaders (including one female leader and a first aid trained leader with first aid kit).
The bus will stay with us from 10th to 14th May 2010 and will be utilized to travel from places around Panchgani as required. In addition to the bus, there will be an emergency SUV kind of vehicle constantly accompanying the bus and stationed at the closest point possible near the participants at the campsite or at any activity sites.

What are the staying arrangements?
Participants will be staying in dome all season, double layered, closed bottom tents (triple occupancy) with sleeping bags, double mattresses and pillows.
There will be separate tents for girls and boys.
Each participant’s team will have separate tenting areas with their assigned camp leaders.
There will be 4 no’s camping toilets (western type) with water flush and 2 to 3 washing / bathing tents. Again separate areas for girls and boys. Stored water in drums (No plumbing)
Hot water will be provided every evening for bathing. 24 hours electricity on site

What about food arrangements?
Catered pure veg food
Campsite breakfast – Poha or Upma etc, bread, butter, jam, cheese, milk, tea, coffee, fruit juice
Lunch and dinner - Chapatis, sabzi, pulses, rice, salads, papad, pickle, sweet dish, fruits
Food during travel – Idli with chatni or Upma, Samosas
Jain food on demand
Bottled water for drinking

Where will be NOMADS campsite in Panchgani?
We will be setting up our tents in a small field with a dirt track running to the main road (Panchgani – Mahabaleshwar main road) near Gureghar forest area, 5.5 kms from Panchgani and 16.5 kms from Mahabaleshwar

Are the camp leaders trained and qualified?
There will be 6 camp leaders including a female leader
Each leader will be trained professionals with varied outdoor qualifications from Mountaineering institutes in India, National Outdoor Leadership Schools, USA, Singapore Outward Bound schools
In addition to the qualifications the leaders study of various disciplines in natural history (including snake handling) and have minimum 5 to 6 years of experience leading / camping in outdoors with children of various age groups.
The leaders are further trained to create an atmosphere of psychological comfort by being a role model and personalized attention to each participant.
This team will be headed an programme coordinator with experience of minimum 10 years and additionally trained and certified in wilderness first aid from WMI, USA.
Each participant teams will be assigned one camp leader who takes care of their day to day needs like making sure that they are eating well, sleeping well, are following routine hygiene processes as well guiding them during activities.

Will there be animal life in or around the campsite?
Yes!
We will be clearing the campsite to the maximum extent possible without impacting the actual eco system of that site.
Which means that there will be a small population of insects in the form of ants and other small insects (nothing more than what we see in normal urban homes).
Animals / insects are usually attracted by food, thus our kitchen will be at a certain distance from the tents. Plus participants will have to deposit all the food items (chocolates, chips etc) at the start of the camp and the same will be returned back to them on the last day.
We might encounter snakes on our walks, but our leaders are trained to handle snakes and other creepy crawlies.
We might encounter other exciting animals on our walks in the forests like giant squirrels, barking deer, rabbits, jackals and birds like rare black eagle and the beautiful paradise fly catcher.

What is the emergency action plans?
Emergency prevention plan
Elements lives by the motto of “Prevention is better than cure”, meaning we take maximum amount of care that the emergencies are avoided to fullest extent possible.
Specific care is taken in regards to hygiene in Kitchen, toilets and surroundings, personal hygiene etc.
Bottled water for drinking
Our equipment is well maintained, from national and international brands, tested and verified by the relevant authorities.
Activity SOP’s (Standard Operating procedures) are designed for every age groups and physical abilities.
Our leaders are trained, qualified and have minimum 5 to 6 years of experience leading / camping in outdoors with children of various age groups.
Our documentation processes are extensive and the medical forms are exhaustive. These forms are further studied extensively with personal chats with the parents as required, taking special notes of specific allergies or medical conditions with prescribed medicines.

Medical emergency action plan
There will be a first aid kit with stretcher on site (campsites as well as activity sites) handled by a trained and certified wilderness first aider.
Doctor will be on call (2 kms away) and the nearest big hospital is in Panchgani (Bel Air Hospital run by Red Cross society)

Vehicle emergency action plan
Emergency vehicle will be constantly with the bus at all times from Mumbai to Mumbai.
Environmental emergencies action plan
Participants are given instructions and information in case of animal encounters, plus the leaders are trained to handle such situations.
In case of weather emergencies, the forecast is studied for the 7 days during the camp period and activities designed accordingly. Again participants are given instructions and information in case of unexpected storms or rain showers.

Cost per participant
Rs. 7,950/-
Minimum 15 participants

Cost Includes
1. AC private bus travel?
2. Stay in dome tents (triple occupancy) with sleeping bags
3. All meals from Mumbai to Mumbai
4. All activities as described and related equipment
5. First aid kit with trained wilderness first aider
6. Emergency vehicle

Cost Excludes
1. Expenses of personal nature (shopping etc)?or happening due to unforeseen circumstances
2. Insurance of any kind

What to bring along?
1. Towel & Toilet kit (compulsory)
2. Warm clothing – jackets, sweater, woolen cap (compulsory)?
3. 1 ltr Water bottle (compulsory)
4. 3 T-shirts, full track-pants (loose pants) for daily wear (compulsory)
5. 3 underwear sets (compulsory)
6. 1 night suit, night dress (compulsory)
7. Good rubber-soled shoes with 3 pair of socks for activities and floaters or chappals for campsite use (compulsory)
8. Personal Medication if any with prescription from a certified medical practitioner (compulsory)
9. Sunhat or sun Cap?(compulsory)
10. Personal Torch (compulsory)
11. Mosquito Repellent?(optional)
12. Camera with sufficient batteries and film / memory cards (optional)?
13. Chocolates and dry fruits as travel snacks (optional)