During the 2025 summer vacation, SHSID High School curated an expansive lineup of activities—outdoor expeditions, cultural discovery, volunteer service, social practice and charitable exchanges—that allowed students to learn by doing and to grow through experience. 

“Go China” Fujian Sanming: Dialogue with Nature, Reflection on Culture

On 20 June, students in the “Go China” program launched a five-day exploration of Sanming, Fujian. In Jianning’s Xiuzhu Lotus Garden they wandered through thousands of mu of lotus fields, experienced making lotus seed cakes, and reflected on the concept of "harmonious coexistence between humans and nature" by the Eight-Trigram Lotus Pond. In the Minjiang River Source National Nature Reserve, they observed rare flora and fauna up close and learned about ecosystem dynamics from tour guides. During the visit to Dajin Lake, they studied the water-based danxia landforms, exchanged ideas with teachers and students from Taining Danxia Experimental School, and deepened their understanding of the formation and conservation significance of danxia landscapes. Along the Shangqing Stream, they enjoyed a peaceful bamboo raft ride, followed by an exploration of canyon evolution at Zhaixia Grand Canyon. The final stop was Yubang Village in Shaxian, where students learned about the development of Shaxian snacks, cooked and tasted the delicacies themselves, and sensed how local culinary culture keeps evolving while honoring its roots.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Adventure Journey: Forging Willpower, Harvesting Growth

On 2 July, eleven high school students embarked on an expedition for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Silver Award. After intensive preparation—group goal-setting, route planning, gear lists and rest-stop logistics—the practice journey began under sweltering heat and over long distances. Encouraging words within each team kept spirits high at every waypoint. The qualifying journey then started along the Hui-Hang Ancient Trail. Students shifted from broad paths to rugged mountain tracks, interviewing villagers along the way to add a unique dimension to their journey. On the final day they passed through traditional villages, marveled at the harmony of rural life and finished their journey in a modern village. The trek taught them the value of persistence; more than a task, it was “a gift of new perspectives” that deepened their understanding of both the world and themselves.

Student Volunteers Teach in the Community: Sharing Knowledge, Spreading Joy

In August, student volunteers from SHSID high school visited the Shanghai Normal University Residential Committee to teach primary school students in the community. One group delivered an ecology class titled "Animals and the Ecological Chain," guiding the children to work in groups and draw arrow diagrams of the "ecological domino effect" through classic case studies. Another group engaged in group role-playing activities based on the topic "If Sparrows Disappeared," planting the seeds of environmental awareness in the children’s minds.

Youth Mock CPPCC Activity: Spotlighting Problems, Offering Solutions

From 17 to 22 August, high school students from SHSID, along with their peers from SHS, participated in the Youth Mock Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) event organized by Huajing Town. After multiple rounds of online and offline learning sessions, the student teams developed the skills to inquire, investigate, write, and articulate their ideas, after which they began preparing their proposals. The group decided to propose improvements to the community's "property management paired with elderly care" services. Through on-site interviews with elderly residents and property management staff, as well as online data collection, they identified key issues and put forward practical suggestions for improvement. The proposal was successfully submitted, and the presentation achieved complete success, receiving widespread acclaim from all participants.

Infinite Visionaries National Summit and Awards Ceremony: Empowering Philanthropy, Building the Future

On 24 August 2025, the Infinite Visionaries National Summit and Awards Ceremony was held at SHSID. SHSID first hosted the event in 2013 and welcomed it back in 2025 for its 12th edition—testament to the school’s long-standing commitment to philanthropy and its mission of turning ideals into action through a platform that empowers students to engage in public service. 

High School clubs such as Urban Aid Alliance, Chinese Debate Club, Circular Economy Club, STEMDoge, Cyano, MFP, and ISTORIA ran interactive booths at the charity bazaar to share their ideas. Principal Mr. Ma Feng noted that, for decades, students have volunteered weekly at Hongmei Primary School, Shanghai Silent Angel Kindergarten and Clover Children Healthy Garden, while numerous clubs sustain year-round charitable projects. During the Infinite Visionaries Social Venture Pitch, Cyano representative presented their campus PET-bottle recycling plan and their new ocean-protection video channel, receiving expert feedback and support. L2D Drama Club, the string ensemble and the opera club provided stirring performances that added artistic brilliance to the event. Guests were moved not only by the students’ dedication to service but also by the caliber of their artistry.  

SHSID High School’s 2025 summer activities offered a vast arena for growth, allowing students to sharpen skills, elevate character and write a brilliant holiday chapter through exploration and service. Armed with renewed passion and determination, they are ready to embrace new challenges, surpass themselves and continue composing their own youthful epics.

(Written by 10(12) Vicky, 10(10) XinWei, 10(9) Eva, 11(3) Amanda　　Pictures by Zhang Yueyue, Xie Junyu, Xu Yuechao    Supervised by Xu Yuechao    Reviewed by Gu Ying, Shen Chenli)