Ecological & Outdoor Education
Our approach to the outdoors
Exploring the outdoors
Ecological education to foster connection, leadership, and practical skills
At MUWCI, we offer a variety of choice in how you engage with the outdoors and create your own learning at skill levels ranging from beginner to advanced.
Our attitude towards Ecological and Outdoor Education is an extension of Kurt Hahn’s philosophy that learning should be through doing things and lived experiences rather than by mere lectures.
The aim is to build affinity and connection to your surroundings so you can apply concepts learnt in class in a real-world setting. Students participate in outdoor expeditions and activities, engage with biodiversity, and understand ecosystems in the natural world as they build skills such as teamwork, resilience, leadership, and resource management.
Key training/curriculum modules
Developing critical skills
Systems Thinking/Complexity
We assisted the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in creating a module on systems thinking and complexity. Throughout the seven units of the module, you will be encouraged to consider new ways of seeing and thinking in response to meeting complex challenges in inter-connected systems.
First Aid and Disaster Management
We have worked with the National Outdoor Leadership School (USA) and Hanifl Centre for Outdoor Education and Environmental Study (Mussoorie) to instruct students in first aid and disaster management, such as fire and rescue services in case of emergency.
Basic and Advanced Outdoor Skills
We have worked with the Rashtriya Life Saving Society to offer specialised lifeguard training so that students could kayak in nearby lakes and rivers.
Introduction to Biodiversity
We conduct weekly sessions with students focused on the importance of biodiversity in the context of climate change, ecological carrying capacity, ecological overshoot, complexity & interconnections in biodiversity, relevance of biodiversity for the survival of humans as a species.
Ecological projects
Over the years, MUWCI students have undertaken several ecological projects that have had a lasting impact on our campus and community.
Natural Habitat for Butterflies
There are four Butterfly Gardens on campus with specific plant species planted for butterfly feeding.
Organic Farming for Sustainability
In partnership with the Gomukh Farming Cooperative, students have established an on-campus organic farm that provides them with the opportunity to learn about sustainable food production and soil management.
Soil and Water Conservation
On-going watershed restoration projects, fire mitigation, and soil conservation efforts are taking place to sustainably manage our soil and water resources. All students and faculty participate in the efforts through activities such as digging trenches, building water retention dams, or pulling invasive plant species on campus.
Few things have taught me the power of team-work like Fire Service has. Every time we’re up on a hill fighting fires, I’m getting better at operating under high pressure situations, listening to people and trusting in my team-mates.
Outdoor projects
Our outdoor projects have taken students both far and near, challenging them in a variety of different activities and situations.
Study of the Local Landscape Through Sport
For local project weeks, students have explored the topography of our home state of Maharashtra with activities such as bouldering, trekking, and climbing.
Disaster Management
Students in the Fire Service train for fitness and to learn the basics of fighting fire so they can put out small fires near campus.
Outdoor Expedition Training
For five months, a group of students trained five young women working with Akshara for a 30-day expedition to Ladakh, where they summited Stok Kangri and Lungser Kangri mountains.