A busy day of travel and fun from 6:30 am to 9:30 pm. What a day for our grade sixes! We started the day with two train rides and a bus ride. We had some delicious lunch on the train! When we landed we split in our activity groups and started with team building activities! Followed by a delicious selection for dinner! Eventually we all tucked in for a well deserved sleep getting ready to start with an early morning. 

We separated into six new activity groups for our full days of fun! We are all experiencing new friendships, connections, and activities! We have the Purple Team lead by Ms. Li, Orange Team led by Mr. Im, Blue Team led by Mr. Lai, Pink Team Led by Ms. Gergens, Red Team led by Mr. Holmes and last but certainly not least, the Green Team led by Mr. Ali! All teams get to do all activities, however, we work on a rotational schedule! Below, you will notice the different activities that are done, and each day some photos of the activities will be added to them for the kids that participated! 

Grade 6's are a luck group of students! This week we get to help around the local community here in a different way each day! Each activity directly imacts the communities in meaningful ways. 

Tuesday teams Pink & Red got to be a part of the local community! Students learned how to dig deep into the mud to get the best water chestnuts, then after an hours' work, students were off to the market to see their work come to action. They worked strategically to sell to the local peoples for a great price! Seeing from the mud to the market showed them the whole range of experiences for the local farmers. 

Wednesday teams Green & Purple got to be a part of the local community! They gained a new appreciation and understanding about where their food comes from. Students explored the local market place, an important place for farmers! Then, they headed to the farm and participated in preparing the land, digging up an invasive weed species, helping to create a sustainable income for the elderly who live in the community!

Thursday teams Orange & Blue got to be a part of the local community! Both teams took part in different projects around the community! Team Orange, quite suitably, helped to weed the orange feilds. But of course after learning all about the imported and local produce. Team Blue took a hike, then repaired and improved the pathways used by the locals tby digging steps in the sides of the mountains.  

Students first went on the hill sides on the mountains to learn about how tea leaves are harvested. They also learned by doing! Students picked their tea leaves and then learned about tea culture. They had the opportunity to learn about and experience the process of making tea, and even have some to bring home to try (wait one week before consuming!). 

Starting with a boat ride to a rocky ridge, teams then take the time to embrace the beauty of the mountains mountains surrounding us and paddle back to shoe in a colourful array of kayaks. 

Thousands of years old and meters deep below, these brave students ventured down to the pitch black caves - good thing the head lamps were charged! Ducking, slipping, climbing over rocks and through narrow passageways, past stalagmite and stalagmites, students learned about the formation as they walked through the intricate tunnels, which included an underground river! 

Venturing the vertical challenge of mountains? No problem for these kids! Strapped in, they were off to their challenge of 30 meters climb on the all natural terrain of the mountainside! 

Learning to ride a bike is not small feat! These kids did it with ease. Took the time to learn how to balance and were resilient when it was difficult. Not only did they get the handle of it, they got to see the beautiful village and natrual views of Yangshuo while doing it! 

Sometimes the rain is unpredictable, but so are our students! Although we missed some sights of the bike ride, these kids absolutely amazed us with their cooking skills! Teachers were a little nervous at first, big knives and hot Woks but the kids nailed it! Following instructions and safety protocols, kids made their own meals with supplies bought from the market! 

Can't forget the most important part... the FOOD! Students indulged in a variety of Chinese and Western cuisines, always with a large appetite! Here are just a few of our very delicious meals.