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Outdoor Summer Camps for Kids - Top Adventure Camps

There is a saying in Chinese that urbanites live in a “Concrete Forest”. In Hong Kong, we constantly seem to be surrounded by countless buildings and man-made environments. To the outside world, we may appear to have crafted a city out of the area’s original natural environment, and disconnected ourselves from the beauty of nature.

While the city’s urban environment does have its own beauty and appeal, Hong Kong also offers an abundance of attractions for those who want to enjoy nature. Not only is Hong Kong’s natural environment blessed with stunning scenery, a varied terrain, and the boundless ocean; our natural environment also facilitates biodiversity, and is the habitat for many species that are seldom seen in the urban center. This summer, instead of staying indoors, why not get out and and reconnect with nature?

The Benefits of Connecting With Nature

1. Training for Agility and Perseverance
The city is an environment built for humans by humans, with the aim of providing us with daily-life convenience. We can also have significant control over our urban environment. However, nature is a force of its own. We must equip our minds and bodies to adapt to nature. If we feel hot in the city, we can easily find an air-conditioned shopping mall that can offer respite. However, in the natural environment, such man-made comforts are not available. To cope with the heat, children must learn to adapt in clever ways, including finding trees for natural shelter or wearing wide-brimmed hats to stay cool. In the city, if we do not want to climb stairs, we can find elevators or escalators everywhere. Out in the countryside, we must have the perseverance to climb a slope in order to reach a high point. Spending more time in the countryside helps children learn to adapt to different environments. We can think of the great outdoors as a natural gym for us to train ourselves, both mentally and physically!

2. A Treasure Trove of Knowledge
The natural environment of Hong Kong houses a wide variety of flora and fauna. Exploring nature can teach children about biodiversity by exposing them to different species. Spending time in nature can also stimulate kids to expand their scientific knowledge as they investigate what they observe in the world around them. Why do tides rise and fall everyday? Why does friction and fuel create fire? Why is the hilltop barren? These are just a few examples of the questions that may spark your children’s interest in natural science.

Adventure Camp Options

Whilst the natural environment is a classroom in its own right, parents may want to find an experience facilitator to guide their children through the many learning opportunities beneath the ocean and amongst the trees. Moreover, there are additional safety concerns for any outdoor activities. Parents should choose outdoor camp providers with long-standing good reputations, or with external accreditations.

1. Ark Eden
Ark Eden’s exploratory approach encourages children to actively seek out and explore their surroundings in the nature. Source: Ark Eden

Ark Eden, based in a valley garden in Mui Wo, Lantau Island, is a long-standing outdoor camp provider that has been providing such camps for a decade. Ark Eden offers outdoor summer camps for children aged 5-11, with a systematic thematic approach. Their camps are structured to teach children about peace and wellness, understanding nature, team building, creative arts and crafts, farming, messy play, and exploring the rural environment.

Children engaging in woodwork and acquiring new skills. Source: Ark Eden

Such nature-immersive and exploratory experiences provide an excellent learning ground for children to discover the wonders of nature. This in turn also helps children to become more compassionate towards nature. Since the camps let children get their hands dirty with activities like cooking and playing in the fields, children also get to learn many skills related to making the most use out of the limited resources they have in a rural setting.

2. Treasure Island Group
Novice surfers learning to stand on small waves. Source: Treasure Island Group

The Treasure Island Group, based at Pui O, Lantau Island, is managed by a group of seasoned outdoor coaches experienced in a diverse range of specialties. Treasure Island offers adventure camps that feature a variety of activities like gorging, biking, standup paddleboarding, kayaking, camping, and hiking. All the classes are offered at different age-appropriate levels. Treasure Island also offers one-of-a-kind surfing lessons to children. How exciting would it be for your children to learn to ride waves?

Children learn to make rafts out of limited resources. Source: Treasure Island Group

While the above activities are certainly fun, Treasure Island also aims to help children achieve deeper learning objectives such as self-discovery, self-care, and respect for the environment.

Treasure Island is accredited by New Zealand-based ROSA (The Register of Outdoor Safety Auditors).

Quick packing list for engaging in outdoor activities

In the countryside, we may not have access to the comforts and conveniences available in urban areas. Parents must help their children understand that they need to be well-equipped for any outdoor adventures. The following is a quick checklist for general essential items kids should bring with them to ensure that they are well-prepared: