John Jorgenson in China, May 2026 – 1
Un Canadien errant
During the month of May I have been un Canadien errant (A wandering Canadian). Un Canadien errant is a traditional Canadian folk song about a person far from home travelling in a foreign land. I spent most of May wandering to different parts of China.
It was not a hardship for me, as the song suggests it was for the character in the song, however. I was among old friends and met many new friends as well. I was there to participate in the May launch of the Campfire Connections Torchbearer Relay on its way to the International Camping Congress in Chongli, Thaiwoo this November. The path led to the east, south, north, west and south again across the great country of China.
In most provinces of China certain camp professionals have been appointed as Congress Super Torchbearers. During May, five of these camp professionals organized special events in their designated provinces and spread the Congress word to local officials, media, educators, camp leaders, parents and campers. I had the privilege of participating in each of these very different events. Each one was a unique insight into the progress of camps and camp education throughout China.
Following an exciting visit to Mongolia in April where I participated in the celebration of 100 years of Children’s Camps Development there (a story for another time), I began my 2026 China journey in Beijing. After some meetings with eager volunteers to discuss plans for the Congress, I was guided to several scenic Beijing sites. This time I visited Wangfujing Pedestrian Street and historic Shichahai Scenic Area near the Forbidden Palace. There is nothing so enjoyable as sharing food, history and local sights in a foreign city with friends from that city.
From Beijing, I joined the first leg of the Torchbearer Relay in Anhui Province. I went to ‘camp’ with children, staff, managers and parents. We enjoyed a packed five day camp program over the Chinese May Holiday.
From Anhui, the Relay moved to Guangdong where we met some professors at Sun Yatsen University who are researching the camp industry as tourism. The next day we met various officials, artists, specialists and camp owners in a special, urban camp setting. Champion Camp is part of the post-Congress study tour plan and worth a visit.
In Shaanxi, Yulin, the Relay involved two days of activity with a camp study tour at Future Camp. This amazing camp site is fully built over the site of an ancient village. There was also a special recognition ceremony with more collaborating academics from Yulin University.
From Shaanxi, we flew to Chengdu, Sichuan where some unique camp programs are partnering with the COICC (Chengdu Opening up and International Cooperation Commission) and the Sichuan Promotion Association for the Belt and Road Initiative. (And yes, we did go and visit the Giant Panda Research Base!)
The fifth and final leg of this Relay in May was in another Yulin but in the province of Guangxi. The Torchbearer ceremony, camp games, camp leadership all took place in an amazing camp that is embedded within an historic village known for its herbal medicine history. It was truly an innovative take on camp as many of us know it.
In the next few articles, I will share more details of each leg on my personal journey there and provide some insights into what I think we can all learn from the China camp experience in the coming months.
Like ‘un Canadien errant’, I want to send a message back to my camping friends in Canada (and across the world) that I am thinking about them. Unlike that singer who is longing to return to their home, I want to tell you that I am also longing to return to China.
We will all benefit from exploring China’s new definitions of camp and camp education. The International Camping Congress and the Greater Bay Area Conference are perfect ways to wander (with friends) and learn about camps in China. It will be truly enriching, truly informative and truly enjoyable.
John Jorgenson
un directeur de camp errant
Read the next chapter here: https://www.icfconnect.net/torchbearer-relay-1-anhui/
