The Social Vocational Exploration Course guides students to conduct field visits within various professional and industrial sectors during holidays or intersession. Through interactive experiences, it helps students understand the characteristics and requirements of different occupations, discover their personal aptitudes and talent domains, thereby laying the foundation for fulfilling career development.

On October 19, the "Valley Elves" gathered at Laoshan Park to explore the profession of nature experience guides—a career dedicated to nature education and outdoor learning. Activities like rice field experiences, soil exploration, birdwatching, and insect observation serve as "tickets to nature," helping people better "see" and understand the natural world. Nature experience guides, perhaps, are the ones who "help everyone obtain these tickets.

Amidst the vibrant autumn scenery,

Transforming into Nature Experience Guides

Social Vocational Exploration Course

On, October 19, 2024, in the crisp October air, a group of curious middle school students embarked on a "social career exploration" journey. As a volunteer, I joined the team to experience this unforgettable event.

At 9:15 a.m., we set off by bus to “Shanye Park” in Laoshan Park, our hearts brimming with anticipation.

Upon arrival, we first attended a lecture by Ms. Li Zhaoxia, a seasoned instructor with extensive experience in nature education and the author of numerous books on nature observation. Her words acted like a key, unlocking the door to my understanding of nature observation.

Nature Experience Guides 

The students explored the latest drone technology at DJI.

During the lecture, Ms. Li emphasized the importance of observation. She taught us how to engage all our senses—sight, hearing, smell, and touch—to fully perceive nature, and meticulously explained methods for conducting outdoor nature observations.

She also demonstrated how to create detailed nature notes, sharing techniques for sketching and writing descriptions to accurately record our observations and reflections.

For us middle school students in the midst of growth, these insights were undoubtedly invaluable treasures.

This activity not only took us beyond the walls of the classroom but also brought us into the embrace of nature, allowing us to experience the joy of being a nature experience guide. At the same time, I came to understand the value of nature journals: they are not merely a method of documentation but also a bridge connecting us to nature. They taught us to observe, feel, and reflect, and helped us discover motivation and inspiration for growth in the natural world.

Finally, as we reluctantly left Laoshan Park, my heart overflowed with gratitude. I am thankful for this opportunity to explore and learn in the role of a nature experience guide. I believe this experience will become a cherished memory in my life and will inspire me to continue exploring nature, protecting it, and living in harmony with it throughout my future studies and life.

                                                                                                                                    — WU Peilu, Grade 7

                                                                                                                                                                                      HAO Enhui, Grade 8

Special Thanks: Beijing Huangzhuang Vocational High School Horticulture Station

Content 丨 Youth League Committee’s Integrated Curriculum Project Team

Photos & Videos 丨 Parent Volunteers

Reviewed by 丨 WU Yuxin, LUO Yixiao

After the lecture, we followed Ms. Li to the backyard of Shanye Park. There, we applied what we learned from Ms. Li’s lecture to closely observe various plants in the garden.

We gathered under a magnolia tree, its thin, rounded leaves tinged with pale yellow. Ms. Li held up a flower bud and asked, "Do you know what this fuzzy protective casing is for?" Having studied this in biology class, we replied in unison: "It helps protect the inner flower from the cold and can even be used to make ‘Mao Hou’ (a traditional Beijing handicraft)!" Ms. Li smiled and nodded in approval. Afterward, we explored the garden to observe plants that intrigued us, asking questions along the way. Ms. Li patiently explained details about each species. We even tasted small yellow flowers and bitter herbs, their flavors sharp and earthy. These hands-on experiences brought us closer to nature, showing us how classroom knowledge and real life are interconnected, while deepening our understanding of the natural world.

Time flew by during the Q&A session, and soon the activity came to a close.