“In the freezing 0°C mountain valley, I lay awake all night starting from 2 AM.”
“Even wrapped in two sleeping bags, I still shivered awake, wearing two pairs of socks didn’t keep the cold out.”
“We hiked 50 kilometers through mountains and caves, and I saw a whole new side of my classmates.”
While most of us were savoring the warm holiday in Hainan, 27 Harrow Haikou students packed their bags and headed to the karst mountains of Yangshuo to embark on the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DoE) journey.
They set off brimming with excitement for the trip with friends, only to face the unexpected: a cold snap, constant rain, and Yangshuo’s rugged terrain combined to make this the “toughest DoE challenge in Harrow’s history.”
Duke of Edinburgh
Award Chanllenge
Over the 5-6 day journey, these 27 Harrow explorers hiked at least 10 kilometers daily, camped in 0°C freezing mountain valleys each night, and cooked all their meals by themselves in the wilderness—completely self-sufficient.
Yet it was this extreme trial that pushed the 27 students to the limits of their physical strength and willpower, allowing them to discover their boundless potential through holistic education.
After this arduous outdoor expedition, the students shared their profound insights with us—
The Journey Begins:
A “Heavier” Start Than Expected
For students accustomed to Hainan’s tropical climate, the cold snap and freezing mountain nights felt like a survival test.
Molly Li, Year 11
Silver Award Challenge
“We started hiking during the preliminary training. One of my teammates felt unwell and had to drop out midway. That was a bit discouraging for me. I don’t usually participate actively in sports, and I was terrified of wanting to quit halfway up the mountains. The hardest part for me was camping outdoors in the slippery caves at night. It was so cold that even wrapped in two sleeping bags, I still shivered awake; two pairs of socks couldn’t block the chill. Beyond the low temperatures, the nearly 45-degree steep slopes and the exhaustion of hiking with a heavy backpack kept me on edge the entire time.”
Emily Han, Year 10
Bronze Award Challenge
“We misjudged the weather and didn’t bring enough clothes. My waterproof jacket wasn’t actually waterproof—when ice-cold water seeped in, I was shivering uncontrollably. The downhill divs were slippery and treacherous; I had to squat very low to avoid tree branches, and by the time we reached the foot of the mountain, my knees were throbbing with pain. But what surprised me was how united our team was, no one complained. Instead, we joked optimistically, ‘Might as well call this a weight loss plan!’ That positivity and resilience were the driving force that got me to the finish line.”
Kevin Ke, Year 12
Gold Award Challenge
As a “veteran explorer” who had already completed the DoE Gold Award journey part, Kevin joined this trip as a safety officer. He admitted, “I only came because I love outdoor sports, I never expected the difficulty of this combined Bronze and Silver Award challenge to rival the Gold! In previous DoE trips, I hiked on muddy roads in Hainan’s Jianfengling and stone paths in Longsheng Terraces, but this time we faced both terrain types, plus non-stop rain. It was an enormous test for everyone.”
Christmas Eve by the Campfire:
The Warmth of Team Spirit
Shines Brighter
Jesse Hong from Year 11 showed remarkable responsibility as the team leader, even before the trip began. “I drew up a detailed team plan in advance, specifying where we needed to be and when to rest at every time slot.” For him, the hardest part of the journey wasn’t physical fatigue, but navigation decisions: “When we encountered ambiguous forks in the road, we split up to scout different paths, then gathered to discuss which route was the most feasible.”
The most touching part of the journey was the power of the team.
“Our navigator, Jason (YJ) Wang, cut his hand on thorns while descending the mountain. Leo Liu stepped up, took over carrying the tent, and led the way at the front of the team, he was kind and reliable. I also discovered Leo’s ‘hidden talent’: I’d always thought he was quite introverted, but he turned out to be not just a great cook, but also extremely responsible,” Jesse shared. He added that this journey forged a deep “life-or-death” friendship among the team members.
The Christmas Eve campfire dinner became the warmest highlight of the trip. Without cell phones or fancy decorations, the students huddled around the fire to keep warm, sharing food and stories, and performing impromptu songs. Teachers even handed out Christmas stockings to everyone. “This was the most special Christmas ever” Jesse reflected. “In the remote mountains, far from the hustle and bustle, the time spent with my teammates was pure and sincere, it’s a feeling I’ll cherish forever.” During the hike, they also encountered kindness from strangers, local villagers offered directions, allowing them to explore Guangxi’s terrain and customs while experiencing the pure warmth of human connection.
Growth and Transformation:
Understanding the Essence
of Outdoor Education
“The challenges of this journey went far beyond physical stamina and endurance” said Mr. Sprietsma, the leading teacher.
For the students, the rewards of this expedition far exceeded the award itself. Emily realized that in the face of nature’s grandeur and harsh weather, the petty conflicts and grievances she’d had with classmates seemed trivial: “Everyone focused on the team challenge, using our individual strengths to solve problems together. Through collaboration, I learned to accept people with different personalities. When I got home, my mom teased me, ‘Why have you been so kind to me since coming back from the outdoor expedition?’”
Jesse found joy in exploring culture and nature: “Without mobile devices, I could chat freely with my teammates, discover new things along the way, learn about Guangxi’s terrain and crops, and meet many warm-hearted villagers—experiences I could never have in daily life.” As a seasoned outdoor challenger, he emphasized that the DoE is about more than just adventure: “It also requires us to keep journals, participate in music and sports activities, with clear goals and study hour requirements, it cultivates our abilities in all aspects.”
Kevin offered practical advice:
⭐First, plan your luggage carefully and learn basic skills like proper packing, this time, I noticed some Bronze Award participants had their belongings hanging messily without clear organization. When it rained, their things got wet easily when they took them out. Their sleeping pads and tents were also not tied properly, which caught on tree branches and made hiking more difficult. Paying attention to these small details will help you stay calm in extreme weather.
⭐Second, strengthen your physical fitness. Participating in enough sports at school.
Having joined multiple DoE trips, Kevin has a profound understanding of outdoor adventure:
“It fosters unique friendships. Facing storms and unknown challenges together in unfamiliar mountains—this shared experience of overcoming hardships makes classmates’ bonds go beyond daily interactions.”
This tougher-than-expected outdoor challenge is not just a certification for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, but a growth manifesto about resilience, responsibility, and collaboration.
As Coordinator for DoE at Harrow Haikou. Mr. Sprietsma put it:
“The students’ growth was tangible: navigation sharpened, leadership emerged naturally, and confidence grew with each kilometre.
A challenging environment, outstanding landscapes, and a group of students who consistently exceeded expectations, an expedition to be proud of, and one that captured the very best of outdoor education.”
——Mr Mark Sprietsma
International Director of Studies(Data&Assessment)
DoE Coordinator
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