A total of 100 Spring Bud girls from Yichuan, a county in Northwest China's Shaanxi Province attended the Spring Bud Dream Growth Camp in Beijing from April 22 to 26. The five-day study tour, jointly organized by the China Children and Teenagers' Fund (CCTF) and the China National Salt Industry Group (CNSIG), aimed to take the girls out of their mountainous hometowns, encouraging them to embrace a better self and pursue lofty ideals.
The opening ceremony of the camp was held at the headquarters of the CNSIG in Beijing on April 22.
Tang Nianchu, Member of the Party Committee and Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of the CNSIG, said that the company is looking forward to building a wider bridge for girls to embrace the world via the public welfare initiative. Li Zhongming, Vice-President and Secretary-General of the CCTF, encouraged the girls to acquire new knowledge, increase willpower, and strive for better growth. Ye Jianwu, Vice-Mayor of Yichuan, conveyed thanks to the CCTF and the CNSIG for their consistent support to the county.
Tang Yan, a student with China University of Political Science and Law and former beneficiary of the CNSIG's scholarship, and a primary school student surnamed Zhao from Yichuan shared their stories of how knowledge reshaped their lives.
On April 23, the first stop of the girls was the Juyong Pass of the Great Wall, where they learned more about military defense and construction wisdom behind the renowned man-made wonder. "It is the first time for most of the girls to come to the capital city. The Great Wall has become a spiritual monument in their hearts, not just a concrete wall," said a head teacher.
During their visit to the China Science and Technology Museum on that afternoon, they grasped a deep understanding of abstract scientific principles through interactive exhibits. For instance, they experienced rocket launch via simulated facilities and explored optical mysteries in a light and shadow maze.
After the visit, a student said that she wants to design a machine for road construction in her hometown.
The girls on April 24 visited the Peking University, which drew their attention with rich academic atmosphere. Under the guidance of volunteers, they toured around its library, centennial hall, Weiming Lake and Boya Tower, and listened to the inspirational stories of distinguished experts and scholars.
In the Palace Museum on that afternoon, they took part in an immersive cultural exploration activity. They worked in groups to look for auspicious ridge beasts and assemble traditional mortise-and-tenon models, appreciating the exquisite Chinese architecture and the richness of Chinese culture.
Organizers held a psychological growth-themed gathering in Beijing Youth Palace on April 25 to help high-grade primary school girls of them better deal with potential adolescent health issues. They were divided into several groups to engage in a drum music activity, a mental health development game and a psychological workshop.
During the drum music activity, they simultaneously struck African drums and maracas, acquiring the skills of listening and collaboration. A girl said that they gradually found common rhythms and felt like a team.
They on that afternoon watched an inspirational film titled I Am What I Am, drawing strength from its message of courage and perseverance. A psychologist said that those interconnected activities have helped participants better recognize emotional expressions and convey themselves, making preparations for their upcoming adolescence.
On the last day of their stay in Beijing, they visited the Tiananmen Square and paid tribute to the Monument to the People's Heroes, listening to the introduction of heroic stories behind the inscription.
"This immersive and cross-disciplinary study tour has not only further expanded the horizon of the girls but also helped them nurture healthy character and positive values. It is also an empowerment journey that covers historical knowledge, scientific exploration, university visits and psychological caring," said a teacher.
The Spring Bud Dream Growth Camp, aimed at safeguarding the healthy growth of children and teenagers, has gone beyond traditional fundraising models and adopted an integrated empowerment approach of culture-oriented study tours and psychological caring to build a long-term assistance mechanism featuring material supports and spiritual encouragement.
Photos from CCTF
(Source: CCTF/Women of China)
Editor: Wang Shasha
