When we recently announced four unique summer camps for kids at Vaksana Farms, I was filled with excitement. These camps were thoughtfully designed with a simple but powerful purpose: to give children a joyful and meaningful rural farm experience.
Each camp has a distinct theme, but the heart of all four programs remains the same — helping children reconnect with nature while learning valuable life lessons through hands-on experiences.
At Vaksana Farms, children don’t just sit in classrooms or listen to lectures. They actively take part in farm tasks. And in the process, they begin to learn some of the most important life skills that no textbook can teach:
The dignity of hard work
The importance of punctuality
The joy of teamwork
The power of creative thinking
The habit of problem-solving
The value of empathy and responsibility
These are lessons that stay with children for life.
However, soon after announcing the camps, I began receiving calls and messages from parents. While many loved the idea, there was one concern that repeatedly surfaced.
The moment parents realized that some of these camps are residential summer camps where children stay overnight at the farm, their excitement turned into hesitation.
“Can my child really stay away from us for a night?”
“Will they be comfortable?”
“Will they be safe?”
“Will someone take care of them properly?”
As a parent myself, I completely understand this concern.
Letting your child spend a night away from home without you is not easy. It requires trust — trust in the place, trust in the organizers, and most importantly, trust in your own child.
But interestingly, the very reason these residential camps exist is because children grow the most when they are given a little space.
When children step away from the comfort of home and spend time with other kids their age, something magical happens.
They become more independent.
They begin solving small problems themselves.
They build friendships.
They gain confidence.
It is in these moments that children begin to discover their own wings.
Of course, parents’ concerns are natural, especially when they are unfamiliar with the place or the people organizing the camp. That is why it is important for us to share more about who we are and what Vaksana Farms stands for.
Vaksana Farms has been recognized nationally for its work in responsible tourism and rural experiences.
Outlook Traveller magazine awarded us Gold in the India Responsible Tourism Awards.
We have been recognized among India’s best farmstays by the Department of Tourism.
Condé Nast Traveller featured Vaksana Farms among the Top 100 Most Beautiful Homestays in India.
We have received more than 1,600 five-star reviews from guests who have stayed with us.
These recognitions are not just awards. They represent the trust that thousands of families have placed in us.
On a personal note, I will be leading these summer camps myself.
My name is Kiruba Shankar, and I have been involved in teaching, mentoring, and training people for over three decades. As a speaker, author, and entrepreneur, I have spent a significant part of my life working with students and young minds.
Over the years, I have learned that children flourish when they are encouraged to think, explore, and challenge themselves.
At the farm, I will be personally present throughout the camp.
My parents, Kasthuri Amma and Sivaraman Appa, who live at the farm, are incredibly affectionate towards children and treat every visiting child like their own grandchild.
My wife Sujani, an entrepreneur herself,will also be present.
In addition, we have a dedicated team of ten women staff members who will be supervising and supporting the children throughout the program.
Most importantly, the safety and well-being of every child is our highest priority.
We have hosted numerous school trips, workshops, and children’s programs in the past where hundreds of students have visited the farm. These experiences have given us deep expertise in handling children responsibly and ensuring they feel safe, comfortable, and happy.
At the same time, we genuinely respect the emotions and concerns of parents.
So we decided to make a thoughtful adjustment.
Out of the four summer camps we are organizing, two will be exclusively for children, giving them the full independent residential experience.
The other two camps will allow parents to accompany their children, so families who feel more comfortable staying together can still participate in the experience.
This way, parents can choose what feels right for them.
Ultimately, our hope is simple.
We want parents to have confidence —
confidence in their children,
confidence in themselves,
and confidence in us as organizers.
Childhood is a precious phase of life. Experiences like these create memories that stay forever.
At Vaksana Farms, our goal is not just to host a summer camp.
Our goal is to give children a summer they will never forget.
A summer where they run barefoot in the soil, laugh with new friends, learn from nature, and return home a little stronger, a little braver, and a little wiser.
And if parents choose to give their children this opportunity, we promise to make it a truly memorable and meaningful experience.
