When the five go down to the farm, all alone

Teenagers are now travelling with friends, unchaperoned, to farm-stays that score high on safety and sustainability

- Abhilasha Ojha

This might be straight out of an Enid Blyton book, with a group of teenagers heading to a farm for days filled with adventures and picnics. For though there might not be any mystery in the making here, the rest of it is typical Famous Five style: youngsters, 13 years and above, heading with friends to farm-stays for barnyard adventures complete with squawking chickens, friendly dogs and curious cows in tow.

A relatively new concept in India, the idea of teenagers travelling in groups, sans any chaperone, is slowly gaining traction. And farm-stays, located a few hours away from major cities, have emerged as the destination of choice. There is even a farm-stay aggregator.

Parents prefer farm-stays as they allow children to be one with nature, give them much needed time away from the screen, and help them enjoy the freedom such a trip brings, offering a deeper awareness of mindful living. Travelling at an early age enables children to be emotionally and physically strong, making them responsible and enhancing decision-making abilities. Most importantly, perhaps, they offer safety and security. Some options.

TIME WITH A GRANDMA