In recent years, camp education has gradually emerged in China. As an effective supplement and integral part of school and family education, it has gained increasing recognition from students and parents. At the same time, the Ministry of Education has also supported and guided the entire industry through policy incentives and financial assistance. As early as over two thousand years ago, China’s renowned great thinker and educator Confucius had already proposed the educational philosophy of “teaching students according to their aptitude.” For many parents, their children’s education is an evergreen topic, and camp education happens to be a trendy concept. When these two meet, they are bound to compose the most beautiful melody on the journey of children’s growth. Therefore, on the premise of aligning with children’s physical and mental development and actual needs, enhancing opportunities for social education beyond school and family education is essential. So, what should true camp education truly be like? And how should China’s camp education evolve with the times?
Scott Brody (Camp education expert, spokesperson and advocate for American camp education, Vice President of the American Camp Association, Director of K&E Camps in the U.S., and Chair of the 21st Century Skills Partnership “Beyond School” organization)
Lu Yongli (Principal of Beijing No. 2 Experimental Primary School, former Director of the “Teaching and Teachers' Growth Research Office” at the National Center for Basic Education Curriculum Research under the Ministry of Education, core member of the national basic education curriculum reform and “Teaching Professionals Work” project, and professor at the Psychology School of Beijing Normal University)
Ben George (Former Director of the Holistic Education Program at UWC Changshu China, with teaching and leadership roles at outdoor and experiential learning schools and high schools in the UK and Hong Kong, and 20 years of experience in managing and leading outdoor and experiential education programs)
In the spirit of openness, diversity, and collaboration, the second China Camp Education Conference aims to better serve educational thought leaders and the public, establish authoritative Chinese-style camp education, and promote the growth and development of Chinese youth’s personal abilities. Camp education today may become a key approach to breaking new ground in China’s education reform. Ensuring that children live better lives is the greatest wish of parents, and within the future Chinese youth camp education standards and models, only through quality education can children become their best selves. Learning grows with wisdom, and excellence forms with the heart. Camp education is a form, a philosophy, and also a brand-new life experience.