Ready to craft your own raft?

Kick off your monsoon camping adventure with a weekend of DIY raft building, barbeque and song 'n' dance

Next weekend, a campsite at Pen in Maharashtra's Raigad district, a two-hour drive from the city, may resemble scenes from survival dramas like Cast Away or Life Of Pi. Reason: Campers will outdo each other to build the strongest raft. Hosting the activity for the first time is a city-based travel group, Moonstone Hammock, founded by five friends, who are alumni of Matunga's RA Podar College. Titled Sirimiri (Spanish: light rain), the monsoon camping experience marks the group's second camping season post one held in March. “We want to make the camping experience truly worthwhile. We have hired professionals, with 10 years of experience, for the raft-building activity. They will adhere to all safety standards,” says Rohit Dube, one of the founders.

Tents and hammocks set up at the lakeside camp in Pen

The team will set up stalls selling bamboos, rubber tyres and ropes at the venue. “Campers have to buy the material using virtual currency provided to them. They have to use their creativity to build a sturdy raft that can carry the weight of six to eight persons. The activity will take about three hours and everyone will be assisted by experts,” informs Dube. Later, the campers will get to don life-jackets and row the rafts in a nearby lake.

Campers get to row the DIY rafts in a nearby lake

The team has also organised a sunrise trek and a gig with Rahul Deo (guitar), Sanchit Choudhary (drums) and Sourabh Joshi (vocals). “They will strum acoustic numbers from different genres,” he adds. Accommodating 40 guests, the camping ground will be set up with comfortably furnished tents and hammocks. The food provisions will include breakfast, snacks, barbequed fare (vegetarian and non-vegetarian), dinner and lunch buffets. The campers are required to carry a windcheater. The team has also planned a river-crossing experience at the camping ground on the June 11-12 weekend.

A view of the sunset from the site

From: June 4 to 5
Assembly Point: Sion, 12 noon (transportation by bus)
Cost: Rs 2,890
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