Garba Fest is an event where students from grades 7 to 12 gather to celebrate the festival of Navratri with their peers and teachers at school. I volunteered at this event by setting up a food stall in collaboration with one of my classmates. It was an enjoyable and rewarding experience that taught me a lot.

LO2: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills
This learning outcome was relevant as I faced the challenge of selling a product without certainty that it would cover my costs, which was a new and somewhat risky venture for me. This was also one of the first times I had set up a food stall at an event, making the entire process unfamiliar and challenging. However, I embraced this challenge and, in doing so, developed new skills such as management, communication, problem-solving, and analytical thinking. Managing the stall alongside my partner taught me how to balance responsibilities effectively. I had to communicate clearly with both my partner and the event organizers to ensure everything ran smoothly, which helped me overcome initial uncertainties.

LO3 – Initiate and plan a CAS experience
I took the initiative to plan this CAS experience by first developing a detailed plan on how I would execute it. This included calculating the costs of the items we planned to sell, estimating the quantity, and factoring in both implicit and explicit costs to ensure profitability. This planning process gave me a structured approach to the experience, allowing me to organize my efforts and ensure that the stall would be successful. It was a valuable lesson in financial planning and organization, giving me a sense of how to structure business-like activities.

LO5 – Demonstrate skills and benefits of working collaboratively
Working collaboratively with my classmate was essential for the success of our food stall. Effective communication was crucial to avoid misunderstandings that could lead to confusion or mismanagement. Throughout the process, we kept in constant contact, coordinating responsibilities like who would handle change, bring utensils, and manage specific tasks. This clear communication ensured that resources were used efficiently and that the stall ran smoothly. It also highlighted the importance of teamwork, showing me that a coordinated effort is always more effective than working alone.

Overall, my involvement in the Garba Fest as a volunteer provided me with valuable insights into event management, collaboration, and practical problem-solving. The experience allowed me to apply these skills in a real-world setting, contributing to my growth both as an individual and as a team player.