During the winter break, the church organized a series of activities called "Creative Camps," aimed at guiding children to a deeper understanding of the wonderful world created by God. These activities are not only fun but also integrate education and creativity, allowing children to enjoy the learning process while also experiencing the value of culture and faith.
First, the Nazarene Church in Fongshan held a full-day beetle camp. Through explanations by professional instructors, children can learn about different types of beetles, including their living habits, habitats, and their importance in the ecosystem. The course design includes not only theoretical teaching but also opportunities for field observation, allowing children to see real beetles in shopping bags and even conduct simple experiments.
In addition to exploring nature, the church also held a New Year picture book storytelling activity. This activity allows children to understand the meaning and blessings of the New Year through vivid picture book stories. Instructors will carefully select some stories related to the New Year and even interact with the children, allowing them to share their New Year wishes and stories.
In this activity, children also have the opportunity to create their own New Year stories and illustrations. Through drawing and writing, they are not only learning how to express their creativity but also implicitly feeling the family reunion, hope, and blessings conveyed by the New Year.
For many families, spring couplets are an indispensable traditional decoration for the New Year. Another activity of this creative camp is making spring couplets by hand; children will learn how to make spring couplets by themselves under the guidance of professional teachers. In this process, they will first learn some basic calligraphy skills, then find the sentences for the spring couplets from copybooks, and finally write on the spring couplet paper themselves.
This is not only a hands-on process but also an excellent opportunity for children to learn aesthetics and pass on culture. Through hands-on creation, they can more deeply understand the auspicious meaning carried by the spring couplets; this intimate contact makes them more respectful and cherish traditional art.
Another activity that is very popular with children is outdoor camping exploration. This activity not only allows children to leave the classroom but also allows them to learn surrounded by nature. Children will set up tents, learn how to survive and explore, and also receive training in outdoor survival knowledge, such as recognizing edible plants, understanding the weather, and a sense of direction.
These creative camps not only kept children interested in learning during the winter break but also helped them gain a deeper understanding and respect for the world created by God. Through recognizing the wonder of beetles, learning New Year stories, participating in handmade spring couplets, and exploring outdoor camping, children not only gained knowledge but also experienced the value of art and culture. These activities add color to the growth of children, allowing them to learn in joy and grow in creation. It is hoped that these experiences can sow the seeds of richness and exploration in the hearts of every child, prompting them to continue to explore, learn, and create in their future life journey.