BAID Nature Exploration Camping Trip Concludes Successfully

The best classroom extends beyond four walls; the most meaningful growth comes from firsthand experience.

Beijing Academy's Experiential Course series embraces the educational philosophy of rooting in nature and uniting knowledge with action, encouraging students to step beyond campus, embrace the natural world, and hone their character, build teamwork, and grow through real-world practice. From September 17 to 18, BAID students journeyed to Longqing Gorge in Yanqing for a two-day Nature Exploration outdoor camping trip. With the mountains as their backdrop and the earth as their foundation, students left the bustle of the city behind and discovered a different kind of joy — pitching tents, cooking over open flames, gathering around a campfire, and trekking through the wilderness.

Day 1: Into the Wild — Campfires, Cooking, and Autumn's Embrace

Gearing Up for Nature's Invitation

At noon on September 17, under a warm sun and a gentle breeze, BAID students assembled with their gear, boarded the bus brimming with anticipation, and officially embarked on their outdoor camping and learning adventure. Laughter and chatter filled the ride as the autumn scenery unfolded outside the windows. Free from the formality of the classroom, everyone looked forward to the mountain experience that awaited them.







After a drive of over two hours, the group arrived at the Longqing Gorge camping base in Yanqing at around 2:40 p.m. Nestled among green hills and clear waters, the crisp mountain air greeted them as they stepped off the bus. The expansive campsite and tranquil natural surroundings washed away any lingering fatigue, and the students immersed themselves in the beauty of an autumn day in the wilderness.

Opening Ceremony: Safety First

Upon arrival, a solemn yet warm opening ceremony marked the official start of the Nature Exploration program. During the ceremony, the camp instructors provided a thorough and detailed overview of the two-day itinerary — from pitching tents, preparing dinner, and the evening campfire gathering, to the overnight watch, the next morning's wake-up routine, the boat ride to the hiking trailhead, the 12-kilometer mountain trek, and the return journey. Every part of the plan was explained clearly and methodically, giving students a complete picture of what lay ahead.



The camp leader then divided everyone into groups and introduced the instructors to their respective teams. Each instructor took a moment to introduce themselves, building rapport with the students while emphasizing core requirements for the outdoor setting — campsite safety, activity discipline, teamwork, and emergency preparedness — laying a solid safety foundation for the program.



Deputy Party Secretary Wang Lizhi, serving as the supervising leader of the trip, offered heartfelt words of guidance before the activities began: all students were to keep safety top of mind at all times, follow camp rules strictly, and heed their instructors' directions. He encouraged them to treasure this opportunity to leave campus and connect with nature, to push beyond their comfort zones, engage actively in hands-on practice, learn to be inclusive and supportive through teamwork, build resilience through independent living, and find growth and transformation through wilderness exploration — truly learning and gaining from every step of the experience.

Building Camp, Building Independence

Under the careful guidance of their instructors, each group dove into the task of pitching their tents. From unpacking the equipment, securing the poles, and spreading the flysheet, to driving in the stakes and tightening the guylines, students divided the work seamlessly, cooperating in quiet, wordless coordination and helping each other through every challenge.









To ensure comprehensive student safety, the campsite employed a meticulous zoned management system: male and female tent areas were separated and independently organized, while the tents of school supervisors and camp instructors were uniformly pitched along the perimeter of the student camping area, creating a full protective barrier so students could fully enjoy the outdoor camping experience with peace of mind. What had been an empty field was soon dotted with neatly pitched tents, brought to life by the collective effort of the students — the most vibrant sight of youth among the mountains.

Cooking Over Open Flames, Savoring the Fruits of Labor

With the tents up and dusk drawing near, the self-service dinner officially began. Trading the convenience of the cafeteria for a taste of the wild, the students became little gourmands, diving into the joy of hands-on cooking. The camp had come fully prepared with ingredients and equipment, thoughtfully providing fresh produce — potatoes, chicken, tomatoes, and eggs — along with ready-made Kung Pao chicken, steamed rice as the staple, and sweet watermelon. Stoves, utensils, and a full range of seasonings were also on hand, setting the stage for a culinary adventure.











Washing vegetables, chopping, stir-frying, and simmering — the students divided the tasks and worked with focus and rhythm, turning out one dish after another with impressive skill. Amid the rising smoke and sizzling pans, the potato and chicken stew filled the air with its rich aroma, the tomato and egg stir-fry struck a perfect balance of sweet and sour, and a light egg drop soup offered warmth and comfort. Paired with hearty staples and fresh fruit, the meal left every face beaming with a deep sense of accomplishment. After dinner, the students tidied up on their own initiative — clearing the tables, sorting the waste, and organizing the utensils — embodying self-discipline and civility through action, discovering the meaning of effort through labor, and cultivating healthy habits along the way.

Campfire Under the Stars, Youth in Full Bloom

As the evening breeze swept through the hills and the campfire glowed beneath a canopy of stars, the long-awaited campfire gathering arrived with the falling night. The entire event was planned and executed by the students themselves — from managing the flow of the evening, hosting the proceedings, and collecting performances, to preparing accompaniment tracks and taking the stage. Every detail was handled independently, offering the students a chance to exercise and showcase their initiative, collaborative ability, and well-rounded capabilities.



The bonfire roared to life, its warm amber light illuminating the entire campsite. Songs, laughter, and applause wove together and echoed through the mountain night. One after another, students stepped up with confidence and took the stage, their talents on full display in an atmosphere that was at once electric and intimate. Without the constraints of a formal stage, they let loose with abandon, chasing the moment with pure energy, lighting up the autumn night with passion and vitality, and etching a one-of-a-kind memory of youth into the darkness.







Safe and Sound Through the Night

After the festivities, at 9:00 p.m., the students went through their nighttime routines in an orderly fashion and settled in for rest right on schedule. Following a day packed with activity and new experiences, the lively energy gradually gave way to peaceful slumber under the quiet mountain night.



Behind that restful sleep was a thorough and heartwarming system of care. Throughout the program, school supervisors worked in rotating pairs on night watch duty, while campsite staff remained on duty throughout the night as well, conducting round-the-clock inspections of the campsite, checking for any hazards, monitoring student well-being, and watching over every student through the night to ensure a safe and secure camping experience.

Day 2: Trekking Streams, Forging Ahead — Tempering Resilience

Rising with the Dawn, Ready for a New Day

At the break of dawn, the mountains stirred awake. At 5:30 a.m., students rose promptly, quickly got themselves ready, packed their personal belongings, dismantled and organized their tents, and tidied up the camp supplies — all with remarkable efficiency and order, demonstrating excellent discipline and self-sufficiency.



Once packed, the students proceeded to the breakfast area in an orderly fashion. By around 7:00 a.m., everyone had enjoyed a nutritious breakfast, fully energized and ready to face the mountain trekking challenge ahead.

Gliding Through the Gorge, Into the Wilderness

At 7:40 a.m., refreshed and assembled, the students boarded a sightseeing boat that carried them through the winding landscape of Longqing Gorge. Verdant hills rose on both banks, their reflections shimmering on the water, as the full splendor of the autumn mountain scenery unfolded before their eyes. Immersed in nature's beauty, the students relaxed and gathered their strength for the hike ahead. The boat glided gently onward, eventually arriving at the trailhead where the trek would begin.





Across the Streams, Forging Growth Together

The full hike spanned 12 kilometers. The journey began under an overcast sky with a cool, gentle breeze — ideal conditions for the trek. By around 11:00 a.m., the clouds had cleared, sunlight spilled across the landscape, and the mountain scenery grew all the more crisp and brilliant.

The trail wound through varied and challenging terrain. The most demanding feature: crossing the mountain stream — over 20 times, back and forth. The icy water, uneven stepping stones, and slippery surfaces tested the students' endurance and willpower at every turn. Fatigue and sweat came in waves over the long journey, yet not a single student uttered a word of surrender.







Every step of the way was a shared journey. Teachers and accompanying instructors offered steady, warmhearted support throughout, watching over each student's physical condition and pacing, cheering on the weary, answering questions, and patiently guiding everyone to regulate their breathing and maintain a steady rhythm. At rushing streams and slippery sections, the teachers reached out to steady and guide the students, reminding them to watch their footing. For those whose strength was flagging, companions lent mutual support and encouragement, walking together hand in hand.





Through the shared determination of teachers and students and the collective effort of the entire group, everyone forged across stream after stream and traversed the winding mountain path. Sustained by resilience and the power of unity, every participant reached the finish line and completed the 12-kilometer wilderness trek, their footsteps telling a story of youthful passion and responsibility.

Awards at the Finish, Returning Home Transformed

At the finish line, every student received a commemorative medal from the program. A small token, perhaps, but one that bore witness to the entire camping experience — a badge of honor marking their self-transcendence, perseverance, and collective spirit.









After a short rest and recovery, the students boarded the buses with full hearts and beautiful mountain memories, making their way home in good order. The two-day Nature Exploration camping trip had come to a successful close.

Nature as the Classroom, Practice as the Teacher

Two days in the mountains — brief yet rich, exhausting yet restorative. From the self-reliance of pitching tents and cooking over open flames, to the self-assurance on display at the campfire gathering; from the grit and determination of trekking through the wild and crossing streams, to the warmth of teachers and students supporting one another — BAID students stepped beyond their textbooks, embraced nature, learned through doing, reflected through experiencing, and grew through reflecting.







This Nature Exploration camping trip was a vivid expression of Beijing Academy's Experiential Course philosophy. It not only strengthened students' independent living skills, teamwork, and resilience under pressure, but also broadened their horizons and grounded their sense of purpose through immersion in nature and the challenge of pushing their limits. Moving forward, BAID will continue to develop its distinctive educational programs and build diverse platforms for hands-on growth, so that students may sharpen their abilities and cultivate their character by uniting knowledge with action, growing into a new generation of young people rooted in Chinese culture yet looking outward to the world.

Student Reflections

Nie Ruize

This camping trip gave me an unforgettable experience. At school, most of our time is spent studying in classrooms. This time, stepping into nature to live and work alongside classmates offered a different kind of collective life.

After arriving at the campsite, we first pitched our tents together. What seemed straightforward at first turned out to require real coordination: some held the structure in place, some secured it, and others puzzled over the assembly. When small issues came up, we discussed them and figured things out as a team. Then came cooking together — everyone had a role, from prepping ingredients to manning the stove. The food we made may not have been refined, but sitting around and sharing it made every bite taste wonderful.

The most anticipated moment of the evening was the campfire gathering. We sat around the fire, chatting, laughing, and enjoying the performances. The wind in the mountains mingled with voices in song — it felt less like a camping trip and more like a grand celebration.

The following day's hike through the mountain valley was the greatest challenge. We trekked 12 kilometers across trails and streams. Though fatigue set in toward the end, we encouraged and supported one another, and no one fell behind. After finishing, exhaustion blended with a deep sense of accomplishment. The motivation and companionship of the supervising teachers also left a strong impression on me. What I take away from the experience even more than the completion of the hike itself is the sheer perseverance everyone showed.

This camping trip taught me that true collective life is not just about studying together or doing activities side by side — it is about helping each other when difficulties arise and working together when tasks need doing. The tents, the dinner, the campfire, and the 12-kilometer hike have all become cherished memories of youth. I hope there will be more opportunities like this to step beyond campus with my classmates and create more memories in the embrace of nature.

Feng Jingyan

If I had to pick one word that best captures this camping trip, it would be "ease."

Night falls fast in the mountains. Dusk spills over the ridges, the last sliver of daylight lingering on the treetops, and the early autumn wind slips through the woods. Then the campfire catches — its dancing glow lights up the whole campsite…

While classmates busied themselves cooking dinner, we began our own preparations. After careful coordination, sound checks, and run-throughs, the evening gathering officially began.

And that was when the most delightful thing quietly unfolded — one after another, classmates, moved by the atmosphere, signed up to perform on the spot! Someone suddenly wanted to sing a song; someone just murmured something under their breath, was overheard by a classmate, and before they knew it, a whole group was ushering them onto the stage. The originally slim program stretched again and again, and the applause and cheers went on and on. Those unrehearsed performances brought a kind of unexpected magic to the night.

Gradually, it ceased to be a carefully arranged show and became a magnificent youth anthem composed by everyone present. Voices in song, laughter, and applause intertwined; firelight lit up smiling faces and quietly drew everyone closer together.

We had thought a "successful" evening required meticulous design. It was only in that moment that we understood: the most touching moments can bloom where no plan exists. We built a stage, but what truly made it shine was every person willing to step forward.

On the ride back, the mountains receded beyond the bus window, but the glow of that campfire lingered long in memory. Two days and one night — almost like a dream. When the dream ended, the fire still burned in our hearts, as warm as it had been at the start.

Liu Tianche

From September 17 to 18, we journeyed to Longqing Gorge and Houhe Canyon for a two-day, 12-kilometer trek. This was more than a test of physical endurance and willpower — it was a heartfelt dialogue with nature and with history.

Upon arriving at the Longqing Gorge campsite on the afternoon of the 17th, we set up tents and lit fires to cook. Unaccustomed to open-flame cooking, we fumbled our way through — the tomato and egg stir-fry came out scorched, so we pivoted to a cold tomato salad and cut open the watermelon, salvaging our culinary mishap with humor. As night fell and the campfire glowed, we lay down to the sound of the stream and the mountain breeze, full of anticipation for the next day's trek.

The following morning, we broke camp, glided through the towering gorge on a boat, and then pushed deep into Houhe Canyon to begin a six-hour march. The path was narrow and strewn with jagged stones; sweat soaked through our clothes. At a sheer cliff face rising hundreds of meters, the entire group paused in solemn silence — this was the very spot where, in 1943, the hero Yang Jinhua leaped to her death to protect the Eighth Route Army's classified documents from falling into enemy hands. The mountain wind howled, the pines sighed, and it seemed as if the echoes of gunfire and battle cries from that day still reverberated across the scarred cliff face. During the second half of the trek, as exhaustion approached its limit, someone, breathless, asked, "Tired?" A classmate shouted back, "Think of the Red Army's Long March of 25,000 li!" That offhand yet resounding exchange struck the group like a hammer, instantly dispelling everyone's fatigue. Walking under the sunlight of September 18, 2026 — on the 95th anniversary of the September 18th Incident — across a span of 95 years of profound change, these 12 kilometers became our most solemn tribute to the fallen heroes.

The rivers and mountains stand serene, and the years pass in peace, only because others once marched forward bearing heavy burdens and built a Great Wall with their flesh and blood. Though the two-day trek has come to an end, the stirring in our hearts has not yet subsided. Our 12 kilometers of footsteps measured not just the depth of the canyon, but the weight of history and the tenacity of life itself. As high school students of a new era, we stepped out of the study and into the mountains, understanding through aching limbs what it means that "hardship and adversity forge greatness," and understanding through reverent gaze what it means to "remember history and march forward." Having walked out of the canyon, the road ahead stretches far. With the spirit of the fallen as our beacon and down-to-earth resolve as our vessel, on the journey of national rejuvenation, we will walk our generation's Long March well.

Xin Yuxin

Back from two days and one night of camping, the yellow mud still clinging to my shoes bears the traces of the journey, but this short trip was filled with the warmth of teamwork and the joy of pushing past my own limits. On the first afternoon, once we reached the campsite, everyone scattered to their tasks. A friend and I pitched our tent together, and what I had thought would be difficult came together smoothly through our coordination — the tent stood firm and steady. When it came time to cook, everyone split the work: some carefully washed the ingredients, some kept a watchful eye over the pans, and others quietly fanned the flames nearby. The food was hardly refined, but gathered around the stove, we enjoyed it far more than any ordinary meal.

The campfire gathering that evening was the most delightful surprise. We gathered around the dancing flames — singing, dancing, the circle of onlookers buzzing with energy. The firelight lit up smiling face after smiling face, and even the silent wilderness seemed to pulse with life alongside us.

The next morning, before the sun was up, we rose and set off on the hike. Twelve kilometers later, my legs ached and my shoes were caked in mud. But along the way, those who walked slower found someone waiting for them, and on steep slopes, someone reached out to help. When flat ground finally came into view, all the exhaustion transformed into a tremendous sense of achievement.

The warmth and excitement brought back by all that mud and effort — it was a truly precious experience.