The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award
Bronze Award - Adventurous Journey
Qualifying Journey
In early summer, Heyuan’s Wanlv Lake shimmers in a deep shade of turquoise.
As the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (DofE) Bronze Award challengers launched their kayaks one by one, the tranquil water was broken by their paddles, sending ripples across the surface. Stretched out before these young adventurers was a tapestry of scattered islands.
From learning how to paddle to independently navigating their routes; from mastering basic skills to embracing team responsibilities; from practice runs filled with trial and error to autonomous exploration during the qualifying journey—this time, students from ASJ Foshan embarked on their two-day, one-night qualifying expedition, riding the waves side-by-side with courage and total commitment.
Equipped with the knowledge from previous theoretical training and the experience gained during their Practice Journey, the students had already mastered basic kayaking controls, water safety, navigation, and campsite construction. However, during the Qualifying Journey, this knowledge was no longer confined to classrooms and training grounds—it had to be truly applied to the real, unpredictable wilderness.
With no instructors leading the way and no preset standard routes, everything was in their hands. From route planning to time management, and from setting up camp to team collaboration, every single decision had to be made by themselves.
This qualifying journey took the form of a kayaking island-hopping expedition. Navigating independently using only maps and compasses, the students had to reach designated checkpoints within the set time, while also fulfilling assessment tasks such as campsite construction and outdoor cooking.
Out on the vast expanse of the lake, every choice of direction and every course correction tested the team’s communication and collaboration. Real-world challenges—such as how to stay in sync, how to handle unexpected situations, and how to achieve their set goals within a limited timeframe—became the most valuable learning opportunities in their journey of growth.
As their kayaks glided between the islands, the students also found themselves immersed in the unique natural and cultural environment of Wanlv Lake.
They learned that this vast lake, which today boasts over 360 islands, was originally a rolling landscape of hills and valleys. In 1958, during the construction of the Xinfengjiang Hydropower Station, the Xinfeng River was dammed to impound water. The former valleys were submerged deep beneath the lake, while the peaks that remained above water transformed into the scattered, starry islands seen today.
Along the way, the students also noticed the laminated, layered geological structures along the shorelines, carved by years of water erosion. They were deeply moved to learn the history of over 100,000 local residents who once relocated and left their homes behind to support the nation’s water conservancy project.
While exploring the great outdoors, students connected the geological wonders before their eyes with the threads of history. This integration sparked a much deeper understanding of the relationship between humans and nature, as well as the balance between social development and personal sacrifice.
Throughout the two-day, one-night journey, the students had to work together to handle campsite construction, logistics management, meal preparation, and route planning. From pitching tents to preparing dinner, and from verifying courses to coordinating tasks, every single step relied heavily on mutual trust and cooperation among team members.
Whenever they encountered difficulties, they brainstormed solutions together; when a teammate felt exhausted, others stepped up with encouragement and support. Through continuous collective decision-making, mutual support, and shared responsibilities, the spirit of teamwork truly came alive as a tangible experience for the students.
Meanwhile, all participants strictly followed the LNT (Leave No Trace) principles throughout the journey, packing out all their garbage and leaving absolutely no human footprint behind.
From minimizing environmental impact to respecting the natural ecosystem, the students put the philosophy of responsible outdoor exploration into practice. In doing so, they fully demonstrated the sense of responsibility and environmental literacy expected of today's youth.
Throughout the two-day, one-night challenge, all participants stayed composed and worked in close collaboration. By strictly adhering to all assessment regulations, they successfully completed every single project—including autonomous navigation, kayaking, campsite construction, and outdoor cooking—and triumphantly met all the requirements for the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Bronze Adventurous Journey.
However, for the students, completing this assessment is not the destination, but another starting point on their journey of growth.
Next, they will reflect on their experiences and insights from this journey, prepare their presentations, and continue to tackle the remaining challenges for the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Bronze Medal. In the days ahead, carrying the courage, responsibility, and personal growth they gathered from this exploration, they will confidently step out into a much wider world.
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