On the morning of April 29, the 9th graders set off for Changxing Island for their long-awaited survival training. Chatter and laughter buzzed incessantly on the school bus, reflecting the students' mounting anticipation and excitement.

Upon arrival at the campsite, students were greeted by a lush green scene, with green grass swaying in the breeze and teeming with life. On the emerald turf, the students quickly immersed themselves in this dynamic new environment, filled with anticipation and excitement.

Following an intense and thrilling grouping session, all students were randomly divided into twenty teams. Each team was represented by a different animal (such as horse, rabbit, sheep, frog, etc.), symbolizing unity, agility, resilience, and vitality. Over the course of two days, students would undertake four adventurous challenges as a team — team building, hiking, navigation, and raft building.

Team Building

The coaching team planned a series of unique team building games, aimed at building instant rapport among the teammates. The “Rope and Shape” activity was a test of spatial skills and teamwork. While blindfolded, the team members had to use ropes to build the given shapes with the leader's guidance. In the “Traffic Jam” activity, the team members were faced with a logic puzzle that required not only close collaboration, but also brainstorming with team members to come up with the best plan of action. Through these creative team building games, the students were able to establish a deep, mutual understanding and friendship within a short period of time.

Hiking

Under the beautiful spring sky, filled with high spirits, the students embarked on a five-kilometer hike around the campsite. Some chatted with each other as they hiked, sharing interesting anecdotes from inside and outside school, while others chose to display their vigor and vitality by overtaking the others. The enjoyable hike not only helped to build physical strength, but also deepened friendship among the students. This hiking activity was not only a physical exercise but also a spiritual journey. They adhered to the principle of "leave no trace", respecting nature, preserving the environment, and ensuring that every outdoor activity can coexist harmoniously with nature.

Spaghetti Tower Navigation

Unlike traditional navigation activities where the routes are preset, ‘Spaghetti Tower” was a unique yet challenging activity where each group was given an alphabet and a corresponding map. The team members had to give full play to their imagination and creativity, using the letters of the alphabet to form a sentence that best expressed their mood at that moment and designing their own off-road routes.

In the lush natural environment, students immersed themselves in the wild while challenging themselves to find the most ideal path. They weaved through the forest, climbed hills, overcame various obstacles, and finally arrived at the finish line.

Building Bamboo Rafts

Employing the step-by-step instructions by the coaches, the students constructed a “survival bamboo raft” sturdy enough to carry the weight of five students, using only four tires, six bamboo poles, and some rope. This activity not only demonstrated the students' ability to learn quickly, but also provided valuable hands-on experience that will enable them to respond effectively in an emergency.

As the adventure concluded, the sky darkened and came the moment most anticipated – outdoor cooking. Amidst the green grass and the evening cooking smoke, the youths felt the rhythm of nature.

Under the guidance of the coaches, the students learned the skill of pitching tents. Rows of tent "buns" dotted the grassy ground. After distributing the small stoves and pots, outdoor cooking officially began. Each student showcased their talents, combining ingredients to create various dishes. Vegetables and mushrooms boiled and cooked in the water, while the aroma of Italian pasta filled the air. Though the taste might not have been perfect, the students enjoyed themselves immensely. As night gradually fell, everyone ate their fill, and after a brief evening reflection, they scattered throughout the campsite — gazing at the starry sky, listening to the chirping of cicadas, sharing anecdotes. Slowly, the students drifted off to sleep...

After two days of survival training, the students have honed their physical fitness and survival skills amidst sweat and laughter. They have learned resilience and courage in the face of challenges and difficulties and have deeply understood the importance of teamwork for personal and social development. They have planted the seeds of environmental protection in their hearts through close contact with nature, allowing green concepts to become a solid foundation for their future growth. This activity not only enriched the students' after-school life, but also became an unforgettable chapter in their life journey, inspiring them to continue moving forward towards a better future.

(Written by 9（6）Andrea, 9（1）Milly, 9（7）Teresa Photos by Jin Xu and students Supervised by Yanjie Yao, Jingyu Tong Edited by Qian Zuo Proofread by Mr. Cody Allen Turner)