The West Jaintia Hills District Adventure Sports and Mountaineering Club conducted its 3rd Basic Adventure Tour Guide Course from July 7 to 11 across various locations in West Jaintia Hills.
A total of 20 trainees took part in this free training programme, including participants four from Sohra, two from Mawsynram and several members of the WJH club. The course was aimed at equipping local youth and aspiring guides with essential knowledge of adventure safety and leadership skills. The training was conducted by Sambor Surong, the club founder, who also served as the lead instructor throughout the course.
Participants were trained in basic safety aspects, tent pitching, survival skills, rope knots, rappelling, zumaring, rope stretcher making. A cleaning drive was also conducted at the campsite.
On July 11, the course concluded and, on the same day, the club launched its 1st Advance Adventure Tour Guide Course-cum-Trekking Expedition at Sakhain, Labon Falls, to further develop the leadership and guiding capabilities of selected trainees.
This training initiative was sponsored by the Brave Heart Major Akshay Girish Memorial Trust, in loving memory of Maj Akshay Girish, along with support from Surong and well-wishers who preferred to remain anonymous.
In a release, the club also appealed to the state government to extend financial support as much equipment has to be hired from outside Meghalaya, adding to the costs. “Such support will enable us to continue empowering local youth through practical training and help promote responsible tourism in Meghalaya,” the release stated.
