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GD Goenka — Thrive. For Life.Kupwara

Beyond academics

Study tours

The world becomes the classroom — carefully planned, safely led.

At GD Goenka Kupwara, study tours are planned as focused learning journeys, not day trips for their own sake. Each outing is chosen to deepen what students are already exploring in class — history that can be walked through, science that can be observed up close, and landscape that can be trekked with teachers beside them.

Students travel with escort staff who prepare them beforehand and stay with them until they are handed back to parents. They learn to ask better questions, notice detail, and work as a group away from the familiar rhythm of the timetable.

Gulmarg summer camp — 3–4 July 2026

A one-night, two-day educational trip to Gulmarg and Baba Reshi, organised by GD Goenka Public School Handwara. Fifty-nine students (35 boys and 24 girls) travelled with 15 escort staff, four drivers and two helpers.

  • Dates: Friday 3 July 2026 – Saturday 4 July 2026
  • Departure: 6:45 AM from GD Goenka Public School, Handwara
  • Return: 10:00 PM to the school, with students handed to parents
  • Stay: Hotel Star Inn, Tangmarg
Students on a trek and outdoor learning at Gulmarg.
Students on a trek and outdoor learning at Gulmarg.
Students and escort teachers during the summer camp.
Students and escort teachers during the summer camp.
Group photograph in the forests around Gulmarg.
Group photograph in the forests around Gulmarg.

The programme was for experiential learning, adventure, environmental awareness and a closer bond between students and teachers — in a supervised setting.

How the two days ran

The camp left school at 6:45 AM on Friday. Students travelled to Gulmarg, had refreshments, trekked, played outdoor games, used the water activities, and had lunch before checking into Hotel Star Inn, Tangmarg. The evening was for team-building games. On Saturday they rode horses, cycled, took balloon rides and other recreation, then visited Baba Reshi. After evening refreshments the group returned safely at 10:00 PM.

Escort staff

  • Mr. Imtiyaz Dilawar Khan — Transport in-charge
  • Ms. Jasmine — Principal
  • Ms. Qurat-ul-Fayaz — Academic Coordinator
  • Ms. Heena Firdous — Head Teacher
  • Ms. Syed Shyesta — Teacher
  • Mr. Mudasir — Teacher
  • Mr. Aamir Hussain — Teacher
  • Ms. Iram — Teacher
  • Ms. Ruqsana Raziq — Teacher
  • Ms. Bisma — Teacher
  • Ms. Shariqa — Teacher
  • Ms. Seema — Teacher
  • Ms. Falaq — Teacher
  • Mr. Ishfaq Hussain (Daim) — IT Head
  • Supporting staff: four drivers and two helpers

Aims

  • Learning beyond the classroom
  • Confidence, leadership and teamwork
  • Fitness through trekking and outdoor activity
  • Care for nature
  • Stronger student–teacher relationships

Safety

  • Continuous supervision by escort teachers
  • Attendance at every halt and activity point
  • Safety briefing before outdoor activities
  • Supervised stay at the hotel
  • First-aid support on the tour
  • Students remaining in groups throughout

Students came back with more confidence, discipline and a clearer feeling for the mountains they live beside — and with shared memories of a camp that was planned, escorted and handed back to families at the school gate.