Fantasy Night – Eco Kids Camp 2015

Saying goodbye to their parents, our young campers left the central city of Shanghai, and headed for Chongming Island. After settling into our rooms, all of us went to the activity room. Here, led by two mentors, the kids did a fun activity called “Bats and Moths”. The game taught the kids how bats, which are not blind but cannot see in pitch darkness, can perceive their prey using ultrasonic waves. The game also helped all of the kids to get better acquainted with each other.

After dinner, we took the bus to a little trail in nearby woods, where the kids did a night tour. The wonderful birds singing, unbelievably huge spiders, and creepy frogs fascinated all the kids. At the same time, the tour also taught kids to protect the environment so that these species can exist for longer.

On morning of the second day, our kids rode tractors, a kind of vehicle unfamiliar to people living in cities, for the first time in their life. Then, the kids, curious about the traditional farmer families, visited some local yeomen, and asked them about their typical daily lives, their family’s formation, and even their childhood dreams. The talk continued joyfully. The kids were so glad to have the conversation with the amiable “uncles”. At midday came the most challenging part of the day. Kids were all given a difficult task, in which all kids, using only pots, a big pile of bricks, and coals, had to cook their own lunches. Although most of the kids first were all but terrified by the task, encouraged by the staff, they soon dedicated themselves to moving bricks. As lunchtime was approaching, the kids also joined the cooking crew. Regardless of the taste of the dishes, the kids spread a handful of salt into the pot without hesitation and kept stirring. At lunch, every single one of them finished the dishes he or she just cooked and gave all the compliments he or she could think of.

All the campers took the bus to Shanghai Zoo after lunch. The kids did several interesting activities, such as drawing leaves on postcards and handkerchieves and seeking treasures in the woods. The kids were so excited that not until 6:30 did they settle down and have dinner.

After dinner, a teacher working in the zoo introduced some extremely rare and small South American animals to the kids. To engage the kids, the teacher gave the chance for kids to touch the skins of these incredible creatures. Later, led by the teacher, we did a night safari in the zoo. The kids loved seeing the nocturnal animals, such as the fireflies, swans, and wolves.

After early an breakfast on Day Three, the kids were given telescopes and went birding. They were soon re-energized by the scavenger hunt in the primate area of the zoo. By acquiring answers for the hunt themselves, the kids learned tons of knowledge about primate animals, such as the life span of chimpanzees, the habitats of gorillas, and the favorite fruits of orangutans.

A simple awards ceremony put the camp into an end. The participation of the kids was recognized and appreciated by both staff and parents!