National Scout Camp Kicks Off with 1,000 Students Tackling Sustainability Missions

The National Primary and Secondary School Scout Camp has officially opened at Longmen Camp in New Taipei City, bringing together over a thousand young participants. The event, themed "Childhood Dreams, Sustainable Pioneers," aims to inspire students through a blend of outdoor adventure and critical global issues.

This year's camp focuses on integrating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), marine sustainability, and the rich cultural landscape of Taiwan's northeast coast into its four-day, three-night program. Students will engage in a variety of activities designed to cultivate essential life skills.

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This year, we have mobilized 300 staff members, and the curriculum is designed according to the different needs of junior high scouts and elementary young scouts.

According to Zhan Yahui, a section chief at the Ministry of Education's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the camp has mobilized 300 staff members. The curriculum is tailored to different age groups, with junior high scouts participating in skill-building, tracking, exploration, and team-building exercises. These activities incorporate SDGs and marine sustainability themes, encouraging self-directed learning through task-based challenges.

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The 12-year national curriculum emphasizes core competencies, and scout education is an important field for implementing 'self-initiative, interaction, and mutual benefit.'

Younger elementary scouts will follow a "Jungle BOSS" narrative, with age-appropriate, mission-based activities designed to foster observation, cooperation, problem-solving, and a spirit of service. Zhan emphasized that the scout movement is a vital platform for implementing the 12-year national curriculum's emphasis on core competencies, promoting self-initiative, interaction, and mutual benefit.

Zhang Mingwen, Director of the New Taipei City Education Bureau and Camp Director, highlighted the city's long-standing commitment to scout education, focusing on character development, outdoor exploration, and service learning. He noted that leveraging the natural and cultural resources of Longmen Camp and the northeast coast provides a unique educational environment where students can deepen their understanding of the scout spirit through teamwork and connection with nature.

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New Taipei City has long promoted scout education, emphasizing character cultivation, outdoor exploration, and service learning.