Dorm Cookouts and Get-togethers

You may be wondering what the terms ‘Dorm Cookout’ and ‘Dorm Get-together’ refer to. Let us look at these two activities separately.

Dorm Cookouts are organised for the senior dorms, from Grades 9 to 12. They provide an opportunity for the entire dorm to come together to cook, relax, and enjoy time with one another. These cookouts take place in the Annex, the building located to the left of Kaveri Dorm. The Dining Hall provides a list of items that are permitted to be prepared for the cookout menu. Dorm Cookouts are held twice each term.

Dorm Get-togethers, on the other hand, are organised for the junior dorms, from Grades 4 to 8. For these events, the dorm selects a main dish that is prepared by the Dining Hall, while students may make appetisers using ingredients provided by the Dining Hall. This serves as an opportunity for students within the dorm to bond and have fun together. Dorm Get-togethers take place in the respective dorms, and a list of permitted menu items is provided by the Dining Hall. Open flames are not allowed. These events also take place twice each term.

In an effort to reduce the amount of personal tuck students bring to school, the dorm cookouts and dorm get-togethers have been redefined and reintroduced. So far, this initiative has proven to be quite successful, fostering a stronger sense of community while promoting healthier, more regulated alternatives.

The biggest difference between the two is that the dorm get-togethers do not use any open flame. For the dorm get-togethers , the students can make their own appetisers, like mushroom tikka and chilly paneer; they can also choose their main course, like frankies and burrito bowls; from a list given by the Dining Hall. The Dining Hall also provides the dorms with iced tea and ice-cream. As for the dorm cookouts, they are held in the annex. Every item, including the main course, is prepared by all the students, working together.

Overall, these cookouts and get-togethers help the students bond with their dorm mates and dorm parents, and foster a sense of shared responsibility amongst them. All of them enjoy eating, dancing, cooking and listening to music together.

It has been very effective in motivating students to cut back on their personal tuck, which are packaged items from home. We are planning more such events like these, where students can enjoy themselves and take a break from their academics.