China's young round out their education at summer camp

Qing (center) cooperates with other campers.[Photo provided by Ideas]

With the increased recognition of camp education, the Chinese government and some social organizations have built a range of camps across the country.

The Beijing International Youth Camp, initiated by the Beijing Municipal Youth League Committee, has created about 10 sites in Miyun, Changping and Haidian districts over three years, providing new experiences for primary and secondary school students in Beijing.

Lu Yongli, principal of Beijing No 2 Experimental Primary School, has studied camp education. In her opinion, good education should be a mix of family, school and social education. As a model of social education, camps are a perfect supplement to school and family.

"Camp education gives children a miniature version of a real society in which the child is self-managing and self-supporting. They have to schedule their time, resolve conflicts and face frustration without their parents' help," Lu says.

Scott Brody, a board member of the American Camp Association, operates Camps Kenwood and Evergreen in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. In recent years, they have received more Chinese children, whose parents want them to have a cross-cultural camp experience.

"I believe that Chinese youth have high demand for high quality camp activities," says Brody. "I have met many enthusiastic Chinese camp professionals who are willing to borrow expertise and personnel from all around the world to help improve China's camp education."

Zhao Qing's mother, Dr. Gao Bo is delighted at her daughter's personal development during her two weeks at camp.

"She is more confident in challenging herself and expressing herself, and she shows a stronger sense of responsibility," says Gao.