To climb Snow Mountain in April 2020 to receive their elementary school graduation certificates, over 150 sixth-grade teachers and students from the Hsinchu campus of Bridge International School have recently intensified their training. They have also launched a six-part “Bridge Dreams, Conquer the Peaks” program, which includes a weighted hike up Feifeng Mountain in Qionglin Township, Hsinchu County, as they pledge to complete this dream journey.
Bridge stated that the “Conquer the Peaks” elite activity promoted by the school is centered around the theme of “the mountain as a school.” The love-for-the-mountains declaration made during the oath-taking ceremony includes seven pledges such as “I will do my best to protect the mountain environment and preserve its pristine beauty” and “What belongs to the mountain, I will not take away; what does not belong to the mountain, I will not leave behind.” Bridge hopes that children will approach the mountains with humility and reverence, and learn from nature.
During the mountain training, teachers also instructed students on hiking techniques, the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace, backpack packing, trekking pole usage, and various other technical skills essential for mountaineering.
Yang Meiling, principal of Bridge’s Hsinchu campus, pointed out that the school promotes elite activities integrated with nature, laying the foundation for achieving dreams through solid training. Whether it’s swimming across Sun Moon Lake or tackling the Hehuan Mountain Range and Snow Mountain in the “Conquer the Peaks” program, students gain different lessons, growth experiences, and insights.
Yang Meiling said the school hopes students can explore themselves, set goals courageously, and ultimately achieve their dreams. Standing at the summit of Snow Mountain to receive their first graduation certificate in life not only fulfills one of their dreams but also fills them with high expectations for themselves.
After this mountain training, the children also wrote their reflections and aspirations on postcards, transforming each lesson learned during the training into lasting nourishment for their growth.