G9 Survival Training

On May 20, in early summer, accompanied by laughter and cheerful chatter, the entire grade 9 studentscohort from the SHSID embarked on a three-day Survival Training outdoor course. Filled with excitement, joy, and the courage to explore the unknown, they set off on their journey to Moganshan.

The Journey Begins

After several hours of bus ride, the group arrived at the campsite at noon. Despite the passing showers, the mist gave the wooded hills a quietly poetic beauty. This landscape calls to mind a wellknown verse from classical Chinese literature--- “towering peaks, dense bamboo groves, and clear, swift streams winding through the scenery.” It was a scene brimming with vitality. Students were divided into six groups based on their homerooms. Each group was assigned four professional coach to guide them throughout the three-day program. On the expansive lawn, the students quickly integrated into this vibrant new environment, radiating anticipation and excitement.

Hands-on Practice & Teamwork

After enjoying a buffet lunch, students quickly learned a series of essential survival skills at the campsite, including water filtration, fire making, knot tying, shelter building, and tent pitching. These sessions greatly broadened their understanding of wilderness living and equipped them with practical outdoor techniques. This process was not only a test of their hands-on abilities but also a profound exercise in understanding and applying teamwork.

Dinner featured DIY Cooking (hotpot). After a long and eventful day, a steaming hotpot shared by groups of four was exactly what everyone needed. With each bite and sip, it felt as though the day’s exhaustion was completely washed away.

On the first night, the boys’ groups traveled to a nearby hotel for accommodation, while the girls put their newly acquired skills to immediate use by pitching their own tents. Due to rain and damp ground conditions, camping was relocated indoors, but this did not hinder their learning; instead, it reinforced their adaptability. Sleeping in tents they had pitched themselves was undoubtedly a novel and memorable experience for the students.

Courage in the Current

The next day, the weather cleared up. The students set off early in the morning for the waterfall abseiling site, ready for an exciting challenge. Walking on a slackline and making nearly vertical descents—every step required focus and courage. The feeling was like flying with kung fu moves through the bamboo forest—thrilling and free.

Afterwards, the students continued their journey and experienced the joy of stream trekking. The water was cool and the rocks were slippery. Some students slipped and fell, but were quickly pulled back up by their teammates. Others walked more slowly, with someone quietly waiting behind them. Through helping one another and getting back up after falls, the students not only enjoyed the fun of playing in the water but also came to understand the power of teamwork.

In the afternoon, everyone took on the challenge of building a bamboo raft. With guidance and demonstration from the instructors, the students used ropes and bamboo poles, skillfully applying the clove hitch and square lashing they had learned, to build a survival raft capable of supporting the weight of their entire team. This process not only strengthened their sense of collaboration but also gave them valuable experience in emergency problem-solving—learning to stay calm, work together, and persevere in the face of unexpected situations.

Bonfire Evening

As evening fell and the sunset painted the sky in brilliant hues, it was the most beautiful moment of the day. After enjoying a BBQ dinner, students gathered around the campfire for the Bonfire party. The program, organized and performed by the students themselves, featured singing and dancing on stage. Off stage, peers watched with beaming smiles, sharing a precious and heartwarming evening.

That night, the accommodation arrangements were swapped: the girls headed to the hotel, while the boys stayed at the campsite to pitch their tents. In the tranquil mountain night, the boys fell asleep to the croaking of frogs, waiting to be awakened by the clear calls of birds at dawn. It was a novel experience, and a quiet step toward independence.

Trekking Through Mountains

On the third day, after a restful night, the students embarked on a new exploration of Moganshan. They undertook an approximately 10-kilometer hike along mountain trails. Along the way, filled with laughter, mutual assistance, and playful interactions, they witnessed breathtaking scenery one after another. The atmosphere throughout the trek was wonderfully relaxed and uplifting.

Leaving the Camp, Carrying the Growth

The three-day Survival Training drew to a perfect close at the cusp of late spring and early summer. This journey not only equipped the 9th-grade students of SHSID with practical skills, but also forged their resilience and camaraderie through every collaborative effort, every shared hotpot meal, and every laughter-filled moment by the bonfire. From applying their skills to pitch tents on the first night, to resting peacefully under the stars; from the courageous leaps during abseiling, to the united paddling on bamboo rafts—every moment bore witness to their growth. Just like the mountains and streams of Moganshan, their spirit is clear, resilient, and endlessly vital. Armed with the courage to explore the unknown and the capability to face challenges, they will continue onward toward their own vast horizons.

G10 Outdoor Exploring Course

At noon on May 20, tenth-grade students from Shanghai High School International Division arrived at Anji Wufeng Mountain Sports Village, beginning a three-day  outdoor exploring course. Surrounded by bamboo forests and streams, this ecological retreat became a true “outdoor classroom.” 11 classes are divided into 4 groups to take turns participating in different activities.The moment their luggage touched the ground, challenges began—setting up temporary shelters, orienteering, team collaboration—one task after another unfolding in the mountain breeze.

Cycling

Dressed in white raincoats, the students mounted their bicycles and rode in a line along the winding mountain road. Diagonal rain pattered against their helmets; white figures stood out vividly against the emerald valley. On the climbs, chains clicked crisply as sweat mixed with raindrops; on the descents, raincoats flapped in the wind, cool air and mist rushing toward their faces, drawing cheers from the group. The team kept its formation steady; when a steep slope appeared, someone slowed down to wait for those behind. The rain washed the mountain wilderness—and also the young faces beneath the hoods.

Hiking

They set foot on the Helu Creek Ancient Trail. This pristine route was thick with greenery, its path rising and falling. The group walked through the forest, fallen leaves and gravel soft underfoot, sunlight filtering through the canopy in dappled patches. On the uphill stretches, they could hear each other’s slightly quickened breaths; a gentle breeze carried the fragrance of grass and trees. When the view opened up, layered mountain ridges spread before them, distant peaks a soft ink‑blue. The whole hike was four kilometers, and no one fell behind. At the finish, they turned to look back at the hills they had just crossed—smiles written on their faces.

Rock Climbing and Jungle Adventure

In the afternoon, under dappled sunlight, rock climbing training began. The wall was not extremely steep, but it tested finger strength, balance, and mental grit. Fingers gripping holds, toes pressing on tiny edges, sweat trickling down their cheeks—no one gave up easily. Next came the treetop adventure, a double test of courage and cooperation. They fastened safety ropes, checked carabiners, and stepped onto the aerial course of cables and wooden planks. Wobbling ropes underfoot, crisscrossing bamboo branches overhead, and teammates’ encouraging voices beside them. From hesitant first steps to steady progress—balance beams, swinging logs, zip lines—every obstacle was conquered with laughter and pounding hearts.

Stream Tracing

The stream was cool, the  rocks were covered by moss. The group made their way upstream. When they reached pools of water, one after another they jumped in—splashes flying, laughter and cheers echoing through the valley. Those who hesitated heard shouts of encouragement from behind, while instructors offered patient guidance nearby. From nervousness to relaxation, everyone finished the course with a smile. When clambering over boulders, hands reaching down from above never came back empty; every step against the current had someone ahead waiting for you.

Tea Picking

Students picked up bamboo tea baskets and walked into the terraced mountain tea gardens. Tea bushes spread across the slopes; tender green buds glowed softly in the sunlight. In the distance, blue‑black mountains rose against a sky dotted with soft clouds. Wearing straw hats, they moved between the rows of tea, gently plucking the fresh buds with their fingertips, the baskets slowly filling with new green. Later, under a bamboo‑and‑wood pavilion, they learned from a teacher about the craft of Anji white tea, watching how the withering process slowly draws moisture from the leaves and releases their delicate fragrance. Finally, they raised cups of tea they had helped pick and process—clear in color, sweet on the tongue. This journey lacked the thrill of stream hiking, but offered instead the quietude of the mountains and the comfort of tea aroma.

Bonfire

The second evening’s bonfire party was the most memorable chapter of the trip. The flames rose slowly, orange-red sparks bursting out, tracing chaotic arcs in the night before flickering twice and dissolving into invisible smoke — like shooting stars that fall before a wish can be made. The teachers kicked off with “What Is Love”—the lively rhythm and wholehearted dancing ignited the crowd instantly, laughter and applause ringing across the campsite. Then came the slow songs: to the melodies of “Special Person” and “Bubbles,” the students sang along softly, raising the flashlights of their phones, which merged into a gentle river of stars in the darkness. When the opening beats of “Beauty and a Beat” and “Uptown Funk” exploded, the whole audience boiled over—everyone stood up, jumping and shouting the lyrics. The firelight glowed on every young face, and laughter, singing, and wisps of bonfire smoke floated together toward the moonlit sky.

Mist Bids Farewell, Rain Writes Verse

Night descended softly over the mountains, the distant peaks fading into a silvery mist. Away from the city’s noise and traffic, the students sat quietly under the starry sky. Silver moonlight fell gently on the treetops, and fresh mountain air brushed across the campsite. Some lay on the grass gazing at the brilliant stars; others talked in low voices, reluctant to end this beautiful night. They entered a moment of tranquility in nature, quietly enjoying the tenderness of the night.

For SHSID’s tenth‑graders, this trip to Anji was not only a valuable respite from academic pressure, but also an experience that allowed them to challenge themselves, deepen friendships, and rediscover the beauty of the natural world. As the students return to Shanghai and the new school year unfolds, the memories of this journey will surely remain a bright and unforgettable page in their high school lives.

(Written by 9(1) Ray, 10(6) Arianna , 10(9) Lola, 10(9) Victor, 10(11) Emily  Pictures by Grade 9 and Grade 10 teachers      Supervised by Meijun Shi, Lijia Yu    Reviewed by Ying Gu, Chenli Shen)