It started with rain. Not the gentle kind that lifts your spirits, this was the kind that makes you wonder why you signed up for a Himalayan trek in the first place.

On Day 1, stuck inside the dining tent with wet shoes and low morale the students of NEXT School played games. When the rain paused, we stepped outside to try something more serious: a blindfolded communication game to introduce the 5 Ps: Participant, Passenger, Protester, Prisoner, and Pilot. It didn't go smoothly. The first team struggled to get their blindfolded member to the bottle. Instructions were muddled, voices too loud. The other team watched and adjusted. They simplified, slowed down, and reached their goal.

The trail the next day was unforgiving. The students were fit, yes. But mentally,it was a challenge. They took frequent breaks, unsure whether to continue. Motivation waned.

Still, they moved.

We talked about river crossings, about gear care, about safety. We spoke about ponchos and dry feet. We shared warmth and humour on that damp trail. One of the girls looked out for her friend the whole way. Quietly. Consistently. A boy shared his last few toffees during a long climb. Another waited at the back with a tired teammate. Something was shifting.

The sun came out the next afternoon, and you’d think someone had flipped a switch. On a patch of grass near a large boulder, they threw down their backpacks and climbed, played, laughed. They’d earned this joy. When the session finally began, they were focused, engaged, and curious. Nikhil, a teacher from the school, appreciated them for sticking it out.

Summit day started better. They woke up on time. They moved a little faster. Later, during their DIY time, we saw a spark. A different kind of energy. They built things. They created. They supported one another. We didn’t need to hover they were figuring it out themselves.

In their final reflections, they spoke of patience. Of what it meant to feel out of their comfort zone, not just once but throughout. Of being in nature, truly being in it and not just passing through it. The things that stuck with them the most weren’t grand mountain views or summit photos.

They remembered three things:
That learning is best when it’s fun, rooted in purpose, and full of discovery.
That appreciation — given and received — makes you feel seen.
And that it’s okay to struggle, but not okay to give up without trying.

That last one — we hope — will stay with them for long.

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