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Tempering Youth in the Wilderness: A Recap of the SHSID High School AJ Project

January 29, 2026

In late January, as the chill winds blew and nature lay in its winter slumber, a vibrant journey began. On January 22, 2026, a group of nature-loving, exploration-seeking high school students from Shanghai High School International Division (SHSID) arrived in Yixian County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province—a famous historical and cultural region. Here, they embarked on "The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award" expedition, starting a journey of growth designed to expand their boundaries and help them discover infinite possibilities.



On January 22, upon arriving in Yixian, the students met their team members and got to know one another through ice-breaking activities. Each group established a team name, designed a team flag, and presented their creations to the cohort. Subsequently, the coaches introduced the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and the schedule for the coming days. They also invited students to learn and practice essential first-aid skills, including the Heimlich maneuver, artificial respiration, and CPR. Once the journey's location and objectives were confirmed, each group began creating route cards, packing lists, and safety rules to prepare for the official expedition.



On January 23, following morning supply procurement, the Silver Award students set off on a two-day, one-night practice adventure journey. Departing from the Xiwuling Observation Deck, they first rested in the picturesque Guanlu Village. At their homestay, team members took out the food they had purchased and prepared a sumptuous dinner for themselves. This hands-on experience helped everyone appreciate the value of food and the glory of labor. On the second day, the students passed through Guhuang Village, rich with rural atmosphere; Shouzhuo Garden, the legendary former residence of the poet Tao Yuanming; and Nanping Village, famous for its well-preserved ancestral halls. Through in-depth exchanges with local villagers, tourists, and staff, the students gained a deeper understanding of this quiet yet tender city. This practice adventure journey laid a solid foundation for the subsequent qualifying adventure journey.




Following the Silver group, the Bronze Award participants also embarked on their two-day, one-night qualifying adventure journey. Setting out from Xidi Village, they stepped onto the Xihong Ancient Trail, crossed babbling streams, trekked over flagstone paths, and climbed over a small hill. Passing through numerous antique villages along the way, they harvested both joy and knowledge. Although the Bronze students had not undergone a practice adventure journey, their thorough planning and tacit teamwork ensured they completed the entire itinerary smoothly.





The Silver Award's qualifying adventure journey spanned three days and two nights. Building on the distance covered by the Bronze group, their route added villages such as Hongcun, Lucun, and Pingshan. While admiring the pastoral beauty, they assessed the villagers' living environment and collected data. During both the Bronze and Silver explorations, students were prohibited from using any electronic devices or purchasing items along the way. From the moment they departed, they carried all necessary supplies on their backs, relying on compasses, pre-prepared navigational maps, and inquiries with locals to find their direction, completing the journey in the most primitive way.





The mountain winds were biting, and the roads winding. With daily treks of at least 10 kilometers and carrying supplies weighing 7.5–15 kg, the youths conquered rugged mountain paths with their own two feet, their breath responding to nature's song. Without electronic navigation, they had only compasses and maps to guide them; without convenient shops along the way, they relied solely on the supplies meticulously prepared before the trip and the support of their teammates. They walked not only across the flagstones and through the villages of Huizhou but also along a path of growth—moving from dependence to independence, and from individuals into a collective.


There was no retreating, only moving forward; no hesitation, only determination. When they finally stood at the finish line, what they gained was far more than a certificate of arrival—it was resilience watered by sweat, trust grown through collaboration, and a broadened vision and sentiment fostered by genuine encounters with the land, the ancient villages, and the people. This journey began with a single step but reached deep into their hearts; it started as a challenge and concluded as profound growth.


(Written by 9-5 Leyi Lian, 10-10 Xiya Huang   Pictures by Yunqiu Sun, Yanbo Ma, Miao Hong   Supervised by Miao Hong  Reviewed by Qian Zuo)