TIS Adventure Program
TIS Adventure Program
Statement of Philosophy
This program has been created for students to be able to live the TIS mission Challenge, Explore, Connect. TIS prides itself on providing students with the opportunities to go outside of their comfort zone and find out what they are really capable of. The Adventure Program is no different. This program has many options for students of all ability to take part in a variety of different branches to cater for students interests.
These options are in 5 main areas:
- Mountains (hiking and camping)
- Snow (Ski & Snowboard)
- Water (Kayaking and camping)
- Silk roads (Culture, arts and exploration)
- Dive & Adventure (Diving and coral reef rescue/conservation)
It is a voluntary program where students can choose to go on trips to explore the myriad of opportunities Uzbekistan, Central Asian and the World has to offer, they can challenge themselves with physically demanding activities and make connections with friends, the cultures of local communities and the environment.
Mountains
The mountains program is designed to take students into some of the most scenic areas of Uzbekistan. Throughout the program students will learn about camp craft, preparing and packing for multi day hiking trips, the importance of physical fitness and the benefits of being self sufficient and tech free in nature. It is a 4 level program where all participants are required to complete one level in order to move to the next level. The levels increase in altitude, distance, duration, skills and difficulty as students progress.
Snow
The TIS snow program takes place during the months of January, February and March. At this time of year the mountains and rivers are too cold, so we head to the ski fields every Saturday. During these trips students have the opportunity to practice and ski/snowboard with their peers. Students also take part in skiing twice with their entire class, making the experience a bonding and fun adventure for all.
RIVERS
The Rivers program, like the Mountain program, is leveled and designed to teach students about water safety, technical kayaking skills and the importance of clean and healthy waterways. Students will start off on level 1 learning how to be safe in a confined water situation, the basic skills of kayaking and campcraft. They will then progress to touring along the Charvak reservoir in level 2.
Silk Road
The Silk Road branch of the program is much more geared to culture, arts, history and geography. It is not levelled and is dynamic in that it takes advantage of annual or seasonal events which are unique to Central Asian culture and landscape. In the spring we visit the Fergana valley and follow the silk journey from the silkworm feeding all the way to tie dying colours into silk material, and we learn about pottery in a hands-on workshop. Every two years, students attended the World Nomad Games where the nomadic sports and lifestyle of Central Asian countries was on display. From the awe of horseback archers to the team sport of Kok Boru students were immersed in history, sport and culture. In the Fall, we go to the Moynaq town to see the ships in the desert, what once was the vast Aral Sea, and learn about the history of the region. These are just a few of the exciting experiences that students can take part in as part of the Silk Roads.
Dive & Adventure
Dive & Adventure trip is a once a year adventure to either the Red Sea in Egypt, Thailand or Malaysia. We take advantage of the traditionally calm and not too hot weather during the October break. In the lead up to the trip students will be training in the Olympic pool in Tashkent to make sure they are physically ready for the demands of this water based trip. They are able to complete their PADI Open Water Dive qualification or their Advance Water qualification as part of the experience so will need to complete Elearning relating to this prior to the trip.
Service is also a major element of the trip. There are many service activities available and all depend on tides, weather and equipment availability. These include but are not limited to:
- Coral planting
- Artificial reef construction
- Artificial reef creation
- Invasive species removal
In the spring students participate in a hiking trip to Thailand, where they have the opportunity to visit an elephant sanctuary, be immersed in wildlife conservation experiences as they collaborate with local organizations to explore the complexities embedded in wildlife tourism. They learn about the diverse approaches to wildlife conservation, reflect on the ethics driving stakeholders, communities, and government, while exploring their role in conservation. Additionally, they venture into the breath-taking Kaeng Krachan National Park to learn self-sufficiency skills, hiking competencies, gaining confidence in the outdoors, and deepening their understanding of their impact on the environments they encounter.
Have Questions?
Contact our Outdoor Adventure Team
Adventure & Learning Coordinator
Victor Simone
victor.simone@tashschool.org
Outdoor Learning
Daniel Le Cossec
daniel.lecossec@tashschool.org