Bhubaneswar, Dec. 23: The winter chill has just settled in and Plus Two students of government colleges are heading to various sites for camping.

These winter camps are being organised by the National Service Scheme (NSS) under the Council of Higher Secondary Education in 158 junior colleges of Odisha. They would be held between December 24 and 31.

About 50,000 student volunteers from the colleges would camp at villages, monitor community life and organise programmes for the local people.

Each college would adopt a village where student volunteers would pitch up tents. There will be around 25 volunteers per camp.

“Though our Plus Two board exams begin in March, we are excited about camping. This will serve as a much-needed break before we start preparing for the exams,” said Harshita, a student.

The NSS has sanctioned Rs 11,250 per college for the event.

“Students have been trained to generate awareness on environment, blood donation and educate the villagers on government schemes,” said state programme coordinator for NSS, Ramesh Behera.

NSS state chairman G.S. Ray said a team of 20 people has been constituted to monitor the activities at the camps.

“The monitoring cell has been constituted for the first time,” he said.