🔥 Chinese Camp Industry Gears Up for ICC 2026 with Key November Gatherings
November 2025 marked a significant period for the International Camping Fellowship (ICF) and the Chinese camping community, featuring an ICF Board delegation visit, a major industry forum, and a specialized certification course, all laying the groundwork for the 13th International Camping Congress (ICC2026).
🤝 ICF Board China Visit and Thaiwoo Venue Review
The ICF Board delegation, including key members like Fahri Gozet, Carolina Fleix-Wright, Dr. Simon Sambrano, Ruth Feng, Masako Harigaya, and Valeriy Dolgikh, began their China trip with a focus on the upcoming ICC2026 venue. From November 4th, the delegation visited Thaiwoo Town in Chongli, Zhangjiakou, the main host site, spending a day touring the grounds.
A subsequent part of the trip involved ICF President Fahri Gozet and ICC Liaison Carolina Fleix-Wright attending the CCEC (Children’s Camp Education Conference) event in Shaoxing, Zhejiang, and making keynote presentations. See more photos here
💡 First Pan-Camp Forum on Holistic Education
A central event of the visit was the First Pan-Camp Holistic Education Forum and ICC 2026 Celebration Event, held from November 6th to 8th at the G camp in Weifang, Shandong. Organized by Campfire Connections, this forum brought together the ICF Board, international experts (including Jorgi and Brendan), representatives from the Chinese camp industry, and ICC 2026 special torchbearers.
The main theme was “Implementing Holistic Education through Camps,” a globally recognized consensus in the profession.
Highlights of the event included:
- Keynote Speech: Delivered by Jorgi.
- Workshops: A total of nine parallel workshops revolving around the holistic education theme.
- ICC 2026 Promotion: Fahri’s call for support for ICC2026, presentation of commemorative ornaments to torchbearers, a regional sponsorship signing ceremony, and a symbolic campfire torch relay.
- Special ICF Itinerary: Before the forum, the ICF delegation visited the investor of G camp, the GoerTek Group, to explore the development of technology in China and its potential integration into camp programs.
The forum and celebration event served as a major platform for professional exchange and an official ramp-up for the Congress, fostering a connection between traditional camping ideas and innovative Chinese approaches. Read more about this here.
🎓 ICDC: A Global Faculty Converges in China
Immediately following the forum, the highly anticipated ICDC International Camp Director Course ran from November 9th to 13th, 2025. The course, held at the same location (G camp in Weifang, Shandong) and offered jointly with a Chinese Mountaineering Association (CMA) Leadership Course, is a prime opportunity for camp professionals to enhance their skills and expand their global network.
The ICDC course curriculum was delivered in both English and Chinese, with professional translation provided. It was led by a distinguished international faculty:
- International Trainers: Tennant Kiu (Singapore), Dr. Simon Sambrano (Venezuela), and Brendan Smith (Australia).
- Local Trainer: Ruth Feng (China), ensuring a rich blend of global methodology and local expertise.
In addition, international guests John Jorgenson and Masako Harigaya were invited to conduct immersive game workshops and present research on the value of camps, inspiring new thinking through interaction.This video provides an overview of the ICDC, highlighting its purpose and how it helps camp leaders grow professionally:
🗓️ Looking Ahead: ICC 2026
⛷️❄️ ICF is going skiing in China! ❄️⛷️
Don’t miss the chance to grab the ultimate Super Early Bird ticket for ICC2026 and hit the slopes in style! Imagine this: Deep dive camp insights during the sessions, snow play and fresh mountain air during the breaks, and carving fresh powder right after the congress is over! Our stunning congress venue is a world-class ski resort, and it will be OPEN with snow on the ground for you to enjoy. Plus, Super Early Bird ticket holders get 20% off entertainment in Thaiwoo Town – perfect for extending your stay and enjoying the après-ski experience! Don’t miss out on the VIP experience (first 3 rows!) AND the chance to ski at a discount. This amazing offer vanishes on November 30th!
🏂 Register now before this incredible window closes.
The Chinese camp community is building significant momentum for the 13th International Camping Congress (ICC2026), scheduled to take place from November 6th to 10th, 2026, at the Thaiwoo Ski Resort in Chongli. This marks the first time the International Camping Congress will be held in Mainland China, signifying global recognition of the country’s contributions to the camp education field.
Under the theme “Campfire Connections: Sharing Wisdom and Sparking Futures,” the Congress aims to gather over 2,000 global leaders, experts, and scholars. It will explore six key dimensions: Camp & Technology, Camp & Education, Camp & Culture, Camp & Diversity and Inclusion, Camp & Industrial Economy, and China Camp & Global Insights. The Congress is presented as the centerpiece of a larger “Campfire Connections-Torchbearer Program,” which includes regional events before and after the main Congress.
Ignite the Spirit: Join the Campfire Relay – ICC 2026 Torchbearer Program – 全球营火传递
ICC2026 information and registration: https://icc2026china.org/
