Exploration is a human instinct, and the forces that drive us forward are diverse. It may be due to the love of knowledge, the persistence of challenges, and the expectation of the unknown. No matter which one it is, it is the driving force behind our growth and progress. Carrying a mountaineering bag on their backs and setting off bravely, the mountain road was rugged, but SHSIDers' footsteps were firm and persistent.

From August 14th to th22nd, 2023, 27 students from SHSID started the bronze, silver, and gold courses of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award - Adventurous Journey (referred to as the "AJ"), and had successfully completed their journey of outdoor exploration in Anhui province and Zhejiang province.

The safety of all participants is the top priority of the AJ. Before the start of the practice journey, all participants needed to have completed the theoretical knowledge learning of several modules including team building & leadership, first-aid rescue, risk management, equipment usage, navigational skills, cooking abilities, and tent-building skills before starting the journey.

The Adventurous Journey involved extensive advance planning. In addition to the theoretical concepts they had covered in class, students were expected to prepare plans and proposals prior to their journey. The participants came together as a group to discuss job specializations, preparations for food and surplus, travel records, and any risk regulations. Participants in each group were fully devoted to their job.

In the practice trip, the students formed a group of 6-7 people, and each person took on the duties of team leader, navigator, timekeeper, nurse, chef, and so on. After planning the hiking route, the students set off with food and drinking water prepared in advance. During their stay in the mountains, they were not able to use any electronic devices, including phones or smart watches. The only way to communicate was when team members asked villagers living in the area for directions.

In the formal trip, the gold award students also joined the AJ. After the practice trip, the students started the qualifying journey on the Anhui Huihang Ancient Road. Although this expedition was much more difficult, most of the team had agreed that it would be easier to traverse the unknown mountains and find the right path due to previous experience. In the previous experience trip, the students had also been trained in physical fitness, and felt that formal hiking would be easier.

The team encountered many problems during the formal walking tour, and everyone had to brainstorm to find the solution to every mystery of nature. For example, when traveling, one may get lost due to the use of maps, compasses, and unfamiliarity with such tools. Or disagreement among peers may prevent sound decisions from being made. Some people may also stop or even get injured because they are too tired to bear the weight of the pack. There may also be shortages of food or water. But the team members of all groups were very united and helped each other. This also showed that the members of each group had had a very strong team spirit and strong perseverance to overcome all difficulties.

Although the hiking process was hard, fortunately everyone walked side by side. When they overcame all difficulties and stood on the top of the mountain, when they were praised by the local villagers, the smiles on everyone's faces said everything! The students became more and more intimate, and the teamwork became more and more natural. The heart-warming comfort gradually diluted the pain in the body. Persistence is perseverance and persistence is like the fine nectar and honey dew that you drink when all hardships come.

Participants' Comments

Pan:"As the team leader of the AJ Bronze group, I am very proud of what the team had accomplished this past week. There was a tendency to give up due to the unfavorable weather (rain and heat), but with the team's support, they overcame all types of obstacles and accomplished remarkable feats. During the adventurous journey, we gained a lot of outdoor theoretical knowledge, mastered outdoor survival skills, and finally completed the assessment. In this process, attempts at exploring, fostering team discussion, judging and decision-making, and facilitating mutual help were all indispensable abilities. I enjoyed a lot of beautiful scenery during the hike. Although it was hard work, we enjoyed the different experiences that hiking brought us."

Chen:"Due to lack of experience, the group had encountered numerous challenges during this journey, making it challenging to deal with situations like lack of physical stamina on the road, minor alterations in time schedules, or having to confront daunting steep cliff edges. The group supported one another and was incredibly tenacious. After overcoming these challenges, they not only matured but also saw a variety of breathtaking vistas and had the opportunity to play with friends while traveling."

Zhao:"As the team leader of the AJ Silver Award group, I am extremely proud of the team members and team. Although they had encountered various difficulties during the journey, they still persevered and gained a wealth of experience, and also had a happy time playing with their peers and being proud to share stories with others."

Zhu:"During this AJ trip, I was able to get away from the usual urban life, and for the first time, learned about another kind of life in China's vast countryside."

（Written by Winnie Pon Pictures by Qin Liu, Ruijie He, Yunqiu Sun, Yuechao Xu Supervised byYuechao Xu Reviewed by Qian Zuo)