As a television series portraying life in an army boot camp has been arousing great interest, military training related camps run by the China Youth Corps between semesters are gaining popularity among young students.
The CYC said the Formosa TV series “Rookies’ Diary” has been a smash hit, and its Tainan branch has been offering summer and winter holiday camps for elementary and middle school students where children can experience cooking out in the open, having to bathe quickly and marching.
The camps have proven quite popular, usually being 70 percent to 80 percent full. Not once has a planned camp had to be canceled due to lack of interest, and quite a few young girls also sign up.
With the television program continuing to win high ratings and the camps a hit, the Tainan CYC has planned a new camp experience for the coming winter holiday, requiring the children enrolled to wear camouflage uniforms, make their own beds and wash their clothes, and take part in various games during the three-day camp. They will be moved up a rank after winning a game to foster their sense of honor, which is so important in the military.
The Tainan CYC said youngsters who do not want to participate in military combat team games but are interested in exciting outdoor activities will have the opportunity to take part in the red alert survival game that is played with paint pellets. Those who like nature will be able to pick various activities that enable them to learn about their surroundings.
The CYC suggested that students take advantage of their winter holiday to head outdoors instead of staying inside and playing video games all day.
(This article originally appeared in The Liberty Times Jan. 6.)