Innovate Today | CIS G6-G11 Field Trip: Seeking True Knowledge Between Mountains, Waters, and Cliffs
CIS Field Trip Week: Stepping Out of the Classroom, Let the World Be Your Classroom.During the three-day, two-night field trip camp for CIS students from G6–G11 to Yingde, Qingyuan, students explored the Karst landscape in a natural environment, engaging in a comprehensive learning experience that combined academic understanding, outdoor challenges, leadership, teamwork, and personal growth.
Beyond the Textbook |
Real-World Geography Learning
The camp took place in Yingde, Qingyuan, famous for its typical Karst landforms.
Karst landscapes are a significant type of natural terrain in global geographic studies, formed over time by water dissolving limestone. The southern regions of China preserve relatively complete Karst environments, where you can see peak forests and depressions on the surface, as well as caves and underground rivers.
Students observed and recorded real-world landscapes through hiking, connecting the geography knowledge they learned in class with the natural environment before them.
G11 Victoria and G7 Dylan shared their thoughts and experiences.
Now, let's take a look at how they spent this unforgettable three-day, two-night field trip.
On-Site Exploration | Observation and Collaboration in Primitive Caves
On the first day of the camp, students ventured into a primitive cave for hands-on exploration. In this natural environment with minimal human interference, the cave’s lighting, ground conditions, and spatial variations posed significant challenges to students' observation skills, judgment, and teamwork.
Mountain and Water Challenges | Physical Endurance, Courage, and Perseverance
As the field trip progressed, students faced increasingly challenging situations. During water activities, rock climbing, and Via Ferrata (rail climbing), students needed to use their physical abilities, stay focused, and make informed decisions about the routes and potential risks in a real natural environment.
These continuous challenges helped students learn how to manage their physical endurance, stabilize their emotions, and make rational decisions in complex environments.
Kayaking
Rock Climbing
Via Ferrata
The evening camp sessions provided a warm conclusion to a challenging yet fulfilling day. Sharing and reflection allowed students to see different paths of growth through each other's stories.
Teacher Observations |
Growth Beyond the Classroom
At the end of the field trip, the teachers leading the camp shared their impressions of the students' performance.
IB PYP Coordinator and Grade 6 Homeroom Teacher Ms. Michelle shared:
Secondary school English Teacher Mr. Kennedy commented:
Secondary school Physical Education Teacher Mr. Simon noted:
This three-day, two-night field trip to Yingde was an opportunity for Secondary school students to learn to independently face challenges,stay focused under pressure, and take on responsibilities within a team. This is exactly the kind of learning approach emphasized in CIS Middle School field trips—helping students grow through practice, build confidence through challenges, and demonstrate leadership through cooperation, preparing them for a wider future in both learning and life!