Activities
Empowering Minds, Embracing Potential:
Building Bridges for Mental Inclusion
We have a range of activities, carefully designed to cater to the physical and mental needs of the mentally challenged friends. Our speciality is our adventure activities held under the aegis of Navkshitij Adventure Club. We ensure that there is a good dose of interaction with mainstream society. The activities for an entire year are decided well in advance. We also incorporate activities in which mentally challenged friends from other organisations get an opportunity to interact with our Friends.
Navkshitij Adventure Club
Navkshitij Adventure Club, exclusively for MCF, is a bright feather in our cap. Beginning with a four-day Pune-Lonavla walkathon in November 2003, our adventure activities have been a roaring success. These include treks to the forts and hills in and around Pune, Parvati Hill climbing contest, and Jal Dindi (boat travel from Alandi to Pandharpur, spreading the message of keeping the rivers clean through street plays to the villagers in the hamlets that dot the route), and parasailing, zorbing, river crossing, rappelling, paragliding in the Himalayan region.
High Altitude Trekking in the Himalayan region
Every May, our MCF scale the lofty Himalayas, climbing to a height of 10,000 to 12,000 feet, as part of high altitude trekking. Since we first began in May 2006, our MCF have done it for eight years. This activity is open to MCF above 18 years. MCF from schools in Mumbai and Nashik join us on our annual high altitude treks in the Himalayan region. Launched in 2009, Parvati Hill Climbing Contest is an event open to all schools and workshops for MCF. Around sixteen to 18 schools and workshops participate in the event.
Jal Dindi
Jal Dindi is a journey from Alandi to Pandharpur, through waterway. Our MCF perform street plays on environmental issues such as how to care of the rivers, noise pollution and plastic pollution, in the schools, colleges and to an audience of local people in the villages and hamlets along the way. Trekking to the forts and hills in and around Pune is an integral part of our routine. Many friends and volunteers, especially from IT companies, join us on our treks, adding zest and spirit and motivating our Friends. Our favourite haunts are Shivneri, Taljai, Raireshwar, Neelkanteshwar and Nane Ghat.
Traffic Discipline
Traffic Discipline Drive is a monthly event. Our MCF stand with placards at important junctions in the city, educating the public on the need to follow traffic rules and observe road discipline. We are so lucky to see the humane part of the stress-filled police personnel. Our MCF love the police and feel so privileged sharing a cup of tea and snacks with them. The police also love interacting with our Friends.