National status for activity camp
Children are taught to farm at the Jiading-based Liuhe activities camp.
The Jiading-based Liuhe activities camp, which attracts more than 50,000 primary and middle school students every year, has been included in the Nature School China program.
The camp is the only one in Shanghai taking part in the program under the Center for Environmental Education and Communications of Ministry of Environmental Protection.
Fronting a dense growth of trees and with an island at the back where birds tweet and flowers bloom, the camp is where children can retreat from their heavy workloads to enjoy some fun in the wild.
The camp provides a variety of extracurricular activities, mainly in the realms of farming, military training and outward bound training.
Children are taught to farm and manage their time, as well as learn survival skills and team building.
“Although the activities camp’s training programs usually span just for several days, it has a clear positive effect on students’ sense of independence and interest in learning,” said Wu Liang, director of the camp.
“We suggest the kids plow the land themselves on bare feet to feel the joy of touching the earth and experience the value of hard work,” Wu added.
The camp is closed at present as it is being extended. It will reopen in February. New dormitories and classrooms will replace old ones.
Additionally, an 800-square-meter safety experience center as well as 4,000 square meters of student makers’ space will be built.
