As the day quietly turns late, the beauty of the world unfolds before our eyes.
The late summer in Shenzhen can be described as a combination of “frying, steaming, roasting, and grilling.” This weather, alternating between being steamed and fried, made us all anxious about the camping.
In previous years, who hasn’t said at least once, “I’m going to melt!”
Thankfully, Shenzhen is a kind gentleman. A few days before camping, the temperature suddenly dropped, cooling things down.
Camping is a great way to relax. The morning of our departure from school was already filled with hilarious moments that made everyone forget their worries: someone brought only a power bank and a phone, someone else practically brought their whole dorm, and yet another brought enough snacks to last a month…
After a morning on the road, we finally arrived at our destination—Huizhou Yawenong Ecological Park. Mountains gently kissed the blue sky, and the summer breeze became much milder. It was the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
As we stepped off the bus, sunlight wrapped around us.
The first thing we saw was a giant signature board. Leaving your name here has become a tradition at our school. This was the Class of 2028’s first group signature, and over the next four years, there will be many more chances for your names to stand together.
Ahead of us was a familiar sight—the massive camping tent that can accommodate hundreds of people. This year, it was decorated more lavishly than ever, with strings of fairy lights draped across it.
As the teachers and instructors announced the official start of camping, cheers echoed through the park.
Flags, made with our own hands, and names, written to never fade, served as witnesses to these memories. The chanting of each class and their unique introductions lifted the atmosphere to its peak.
DIY cooking, a highly anticipated event each year, was also a significant challenge. Whether it was starting a fire with wood or cooking on an old-fashioned brick stove, these were experiences none of us had ever had before.
Whenever the stove lit up and the smoke filled the air, the familiar scents were embedded deep in our memories, marking each freshman with a touch of warmth from the fire.
So many little details earned our admiration: classmates igniting the fire with the help of electric fans, lifting heavy pots with bare hands, and chefs who turned rustic farm-style dishes into something Michelin-worthy.
Life is full of ups and downs, and after the rain, the sky and the ground seemed to switch: the sky was dark, but the ground sparkled like a galaxy beneath our feet.
Raindrops tapped against the metal roofs, a symphony delivered to us by nature. Rainwater dripped from the tent roof, hanging like a curtain before our eyes. Looking out, everything a few meters away was covered in a misty rain.
During the DIY cooking, some shed tears due to the smoke, while others were drenched by the rain. These were all special experiences that made our high school days more colorful than ever.
In the afternoon, the sun broke through, and the mist disappeared, leaving nothing but clear skies. Rays of sunlight filtered through thick, blanket-like clouds, casting strands of golden light onto the Earth. The pond outside the tent still had traces of mist, and sunlight gathered to form a rainbow over the water.
Of course, G1 Camping was more than just DIY cooking.
After a short rest, a series of team-building activities began. Whether it was the seamless coordination in the ‘drum’ or the teamwork in the ‘potato-on-spoon race’, these activities brought us closer together.
In the sun, your laughter and perseverance were especially precious.
Setting up tents has long been a tradition of G1 Camping. We helped each other, building our little homes together. In no time, over 500 tents stood neatly in rows—a breathtaking sight that left everyone in awe.
After the rainy season, the summer breeze became gentler. Lying on the grass felt refreshingly cool and comfortable.
At night, as the sun sank below the horizon, stars filled the night sky. Lights from a few houses flickered in the woods, and on the mountaintops, scattered lights were like the stars.
That night, KTV time arrived quietly.
Under the flashing lights, the passionate opening dance ignited the atmosphere, and the cheers were endless. Beautiful voices recalled distant memories, and we hummed along with the performers from below the stage. Whether it was “A Thousand Years” or “Lover,” everyone sang along.
On this night, we had a lot of Chinese pop singers—JJ Lin, David Tao, and Joker Xue, taking the stage one after another. When classmates raised their phones, turning on their flashlights and swaying to the rhythm, the concert reached its perfect conclusion.
The breeze, the sunset, the laughter—each moment was irreplaceable.
Late at night, the air was infused with the scent of moist earth. The deep blue night sky, the cool night breeze we eagerly anticipated, and even the constant sound made by insects added to the summer night’s ambiance.
In the wilderness, close friends chatted merrily.
In the gentle breeze, a few buddies sang loudly.
Surrounded by the scent of grass, we quietly drifted into dreams.
The next day, as dawn broke in the east, the morning light had yet to pour down, but the birds had already begun their song, waking everyone up.
Time always flies, and soon we arrived at our final activity—making rice cakes. Dough formed in our hands, stuffed with filling, and packed into delicate boxes to bring home and share the joy with our families.
The passing breeze, the milky sweetness of ice cream, the coolness of soda, and the fragrant rice cakes—all filled this summer.
In this seemingly ordinary tent, we wrote extraordinary stories.
For years, G1 students have experienced a transformative growth here. Whether it was camping for the first time, cooking for the first time, or many other firsts we had never imagined, they were all realized in this early autumn.
Just like years ago, and just like the years to come.
- Article / Katherine Zhang
