Camp Gung Ho! China Summer Camp

After years of running Chinese programs, we’ve chosen the best parts and combined them into the ultimate Chinese language learning experience. US Students and Chinese Students come together for a summer camp and country tour in China! 

We call it Camp Gung Ho! 

The education team that brought you Language in the Wild Outdoor Adventure Chinese Immersion summer camps has partnered with the Helen Foster Snow Foundation to bring you Camp Gung Ho.  Gung Ho 工合 means to work together.  We are delighted to partner with an incredible network of China-based non-government organizations (nonprofits), diplomats, business executives, craftsmen, artisans, scholars, and the US Embassy in China to bring you Camp Gung Ho, a program designed and led by US educators.  

The Highlights

• Picture our Language in the Wild program combined with the US Embassy and International Corporations to support world leadership sustainability projects in CHINA! 
• SHANGHAI - JIANGSU
• For US Chinese language students ages 14-18 (See below for age exceptions)
• July 19- August 4
• 1:1 US student to Chinese student ratio
• Students have told us that their favorite exchange trip activities involved interacting with local Chinese students. Imagine the connections and language growth you’ll experience with native Chinese peers through the adventures and activities of an American-style summer camp. 
• Our program also includes a 6:1 student-to-leader ratio with 24/7 supervision and support.

Camp Gung Ho is a Chinese Immersion Summer Camp

• Our unique program is a 100% Chinese Immersion Outdoor Adventure camp. We are taking the best parts of LITW and adapting them to the incredible landscapes of Wuxi China. 
• World Leadership Sustainability Project 
• Our students will gung ho or “work together”  with their Chinese peers to complete a sustainability project assigned to Camp Gung Ho by the US Embassy, under the guidance of business executives from the American Chamber of Commerce in China, Chinese & US scholars, field experts, NGOs(nonprofits), and government officials.
• Chinese Cultural Activities and Tours
• With Camp Gung Ho, you’ll experience Chinese culture, landscapes, and essential sites through project-based learning. Experts will guide you through these experiences to incorporate your new perspectives into projects.

Are you preparing for AP Chinese, IB, STAMP, or HSK tests? This is the perfect practical preparation experience that won’t feel like cramming.

• We know these tests can be stressful and overwhelming. Let us know if you are planning to take any of these tests and we will tailor your experience to give you a huge boost in your preparation. You’re not going to find a more thrilling, adventurous or memorable way to get ready for a test.
• For  teachers organizing student groups, we will provide group discounts and assistance with H-1B visas upon request!
• The Helen Foster Snow Foundation has connections with the US Consulate office in Shanghai. Join our program, and we’ll help guide your H-1B application through the Shanghai consulate. 

The Details 

Contact

languageinthewildcamp@gmail.com

1-801-680-1485

When

July 19 - August 4, 2024

Passport

The dates are fast approaching. If you don’t have a passport, we recommend starting that application as soon as possible. We have a lot of experience with expedited passports, so please contact us directly about the best options for your situation.

China Visas 

We have a special process for completing the Chinese travel visa in a short timeframe, costing less money and reducing stress. You will not need to apply for an individual travel visa, which typically costs over $200 out of pocket. Once we have your passport information, we will put you on a group travel visa and the cost is included with your tuition. 

Flights 

We will arrange group travel to China . You are responsible for arranging your transportation to our departure city. We are working with our airline contacts to secure the most reasonable option. Please note that it is possible for some fluctuations in dates as we finalize flights. 

Who Can Participate?

US students studying Mandarin Chinese ages 14-18. Exceptions can be made for younger students, please communicate with us directly to request participation for a student outside this age range. 

This camp is designed for students who have already been studying Chinese. For the best experience, your Chinese proficiency would ideally be at a novice-high or intermediate-low level or above. However, we encourage you to apply even if your level is below that rating. If you are outside our age range but feel you’d be a good fit for the program, contact us directly and we’ll evaluate your application on a case-by-case basis. If you are attending our program as part of a teacher or adult-led group, younger middle school students can participate. 

Teacher Leaders - If you are a certified teacher leading a group 8 students or more, we offer your students a further discount (see pricing below) and will cover the teacher’s China in-country costs. Additionally, if you are a teacher that needs to renew your H-1B visa,  we can assist with that process through our connections at the Shanghai Consulate.  

If you are interested in being hired as an instructor with the camp, please reach out to us directly. 

Adult Chaperones - If you are an adult chaperone who wants to organize a group of 8+ students to attend our program, we welcome you! By organizing a group, you will secure a group discount for your attendees.  You will need to cover the majority of your expenses for the trip however, you will still benefit from our group discounts, and the experience will be much more affordable than if you travelled to China on your own.  Let us know if you are a certified medical professional.

Itinerary Overview

Price

We’ve been working hard to secure trusted partnerships, sponsorships, and in-kind donations in addition to government financial aid for this program to make it as affordable as possible. While other Chinese programs rely almost exclusively on Chinese government support, Gung Ho exchange programs are designed to better harmonize US interests and values with Chinese cultural experiences. 

Your tuition allows our program to operate more as an independent, non-government, people-to-people exchange. Our primary partner in China, Project Prospect, is a long-established non-government organization (nonprofit). This partnership allows us to incorporate activities and projects unavailable to the typical Chinese excursion program. 

A conservative estimate for the total cost for a student to attend Camp Gung Ho would be well over $10,000 without the generous support of our partners, sponsors, and donors.. 

Camp Gung HO  Price - $4500

This includes US to China airfare, local travel, visas,  activities, entry fees, food, and lodging. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE passport application expenses and domestic travel to our US departure airport LAX/SFO (to be finalized at a later date).

Discounts -

Early-Bird Discount  - $4500 $3600 per student

If you signed up for our early-bird discount and submit payment before May 25th, you qualify for a 20% discount. 

This includes US to China airfare, local travel, visas,  activities, entry fees, food, and lodging. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE passport application expenses and domestic travel to our US departure airport LAX/SFO (to be finalized at a later date).

Group Discount - $3150 per student

Groups of 8 students or more qualify for a 30% discount for each student.  You will need to contact us directly for link to group discount. Email: Languageinthewildcamp@gmail.com

This includes US to China airfare, local travel, visas,  activities, entry fees, food, and lodging. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE passport application expenses and domestic travel to our US departure airport LAX/SFO (to be finalized at a later date).

A teacher or adult must travel with the group and is responsible for chaperoning.  They will need to cover their own costs, but will benefit from our group discounts.

For groups or classes larger than (15) students, contact us directly for special discounts and teacher travel reimbursement. You will need to contact us directly for link to group discount. Email: Languageinthewildcamp@gmail.com

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS 

If you are a US student joining us from somewhere outside the US, please purchase the international student tuition, which does not include airfare to Shanghai.

We will accept applications until the program fills. Secure your place with Camp Gung Ho by filling out your application, signing our waiver, and completing payment.

We accept all forms of payment, including payments in installments. A deposit of $1500 is required now to secure your spot but you can pay for the full tuition upfront to secure a 20% discount prior to May 25th.  Otherwise, the remaining balance will be due by June 15th.

After students are accepted into the program, we will send a detailed packing and travel guide and FAQ.

If you haven't participated in a program with us before, you are welcome to call and we'll be happy to have a personal chat and answer any questions. We take pride in our Gung Ho China travel programs being guided by experienced US educators you can trust. Give us a call: 801-680-1485

ZOOM Sessions: We will be hosting a series of Zoom sessions before our departure with more program details and Q&A. 

About the Helen Foster Snow Foundation

Learn more about the amazing life and mission of Helen Foster Snow who is our inspiration.

Helen Foster Snow is credited with coining the term “Gung Ho” which originally meant 工合 (gōnghé) or working together. In partnership with others, Helen started Gung Ho cooperatives as a solution for the poverty-stricken people struggling during the Japanese invasion of China. Later, this term was adopted by a US Army Lieutenant Colonel during World War II and took on its present English pronunciation “Gung ho” with the new meaning of “energetic, or enthusiastic.” Both language and cultural definitions blended to make the perfect symbolic moniker for our Gung Ho programs.     

Check out all the amazing people working to support this program! We've been running Chinese summer programs, Chinese exchange trips and teaching in Chinese school programs for over 15 years!

-Eric Chipman is the director of Language in the Wild and Gung Ho Exchange Programs. He has been a teacher and administrator with dual-immersion programs in the US and abroad since 2010. Eric has organized and led many groups to China through various programs as either a musician, teacher, or administrator. In addition, Eric has guided hundreds of students through travel and camp experiences and is an avid global traveler. He is a licensed Chinese secondary teacher and is certified as an Advanced-High Chinese speaker. Eric is also a certified wilderness first responder, and is experienced in navigating the Chinese medical system in case of emergences. 
For more on Eric check out our staff page.

- De He is native Chinese born and has been teaching and working in the US and Utah Dual Immersion program since 2011. He currently teaches in the Chinese Bridge program out of St. George, Utah and helps lead the Utah program with the State Chinese Dual Immersion leadership team. De He has worked with hundreds of students in camps and special programs. He's trusted and respected by a broad network of administrators and government program officials and is an avid outdoor and travel enthusiast. He is a lead instructor with Camp Gung Ho. 

- Yalan King is our co-program director, Yalan King has executed 20 successful STARTALK programs from 2008-2021 spanning elementary to high school student and teacher training programs and three Infrastructure Grants.

Previously she was President of Advocates for Chinese Education, who successfully initiated the first two San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) Mandarin Immersion programs. She was recruited by the Chinese American International School, the nation's first K-8 Chinese immersion school, to establish the Mandarin Institute. Additionally, she has been working with schools nationally for the last two years providing Chinese language curriculum and reading resources for the K-16 market. She is an avid traveler, explorer, and walker of her dog. 

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Program Staff

 

Helen Foster Snow Foundation Board of Directors

 

Helen Foster Snow Foundation Advisory Council

 

Medical - We will also be joined by two parent chaperones with an incredible US based medical background. One is a pediatrician with 22 years of experience and another is a nurse practitioner! All our of our US travel team is also trained in wilderness first aid or certified as first responders, and lifeguards

 

 

Integrating Language, Culture, and Skills 

Improving students' Chinese language proficiency is one of our program’s highest priorities. Our leadership team has decades of experience running immersion programs and camps. Camp Gung Ho is a dream language learning experience as we will be able to implement a true “two-way” dual language immersion program. This means we will have an equal number of native Chinese and English speakers and will designate specific times for full immersion in both languages..  English will be used in certain meetings such as with international corporations or the US consulate.

 

Gung Ho Exchange Program Goals

Participants will work together to: 

1. Increase practical target language proficiency and cultural competency
2. Improve critical communication strategies and group problem solving 
3. Develop new cross-culturalskills, knowledge, and understandings
4. Integrate the varied skills and perspectives of a cross-cultural group to develop creative solutions for global, local, and group challenges. 
5. Create the most entertaining, engaging, and memorable learning experience of their life!

Test Preparation

In your sign-up form, please indicate if you are preparing for a specific standard Chinese assessment like AP, IB, HSK, or STAMP, etc. We will tailor language and culture learning opportunities to prepare you for those assessments. For example, as we visit certain cultural sites, we will provide information, reading materials, and output opportunities matching the format of your upcoming exam. We will also provide access to practice assessments that students can use at their discretion before, during, and after the camp. 

Pay Full Early Bird Discount Tuition Here

 

Apply for Camp Gung Ho here

World Leadership Sustainability Group Project and Report

The United Nations has targeted 17 different goals for sustainable development.

You will be divided into Gung Ho Groups with a 1:1 ratio of Chinese and American students. The US Embassy’s Shanghai Consulate and members of the American Chamber of Commerce will invite your group to Gung Ho or “work together” on a project specific to a UN goal for sustainable development. 

We will then connect with NGOs and experts in the field of your sustainability goal to give you a foundation for your group discussions.

During the Wuxi camp, students will learn about cross-cultural communication strategies and explore the use of design thinking techniques for group projects. We will support you every step of the way to complete your project! 

Towards the end of the trip, you will present your project to the US Embassy. 

End-of-Program Performance

In addition to the project report given to US Embassy representatives, we will also organize an end-of-program performance and exhibit for the Shanghai community to fundraise for Gung Ho exchange programs and non-profits connected to our UN goals of sustainability. This performance will include a cross-cultural talent show with Chinese peers, a Chinese-American cross-cultural art exhibit, song and dance routines, and much more. 

Food and Lodging

We’ll be eating a wide variety of traditional Chinese and American food. The majority of the meals will be in international school cafeterias and local Chinese restaurants. Generally, all food accommodations can be met if students indicate any specific food requirements on the sign-up form.

Students will be staying in international school dormitories. These typically include a twin-size bed, desk, and closet. Students will be sharing their room with one other attendee. You can indicate on your sign-up form your roommate preference. Students’ accommodations will be divided by gender indicated on the sign-up form. We will have chaperones and teachers stationed on dormitory floors 24/7.

 

Pay Full Early Bird Discount Tuition Here

 

Apply for Camp Gung Ho here

Outdoor Adventure

Our outdoor adventure activities are geared toward beginners with little or no experience. Our core staff are veteran outdoor adventure guides with many certifications. They will support you in accomplishing your goals no matter your experience level and you are welcome to swap an activity that doesn’t feel comfortable. 

 

Travel Details

We will book group tickets for all participants on the same flight from the US to Shanghai. We will be departing from LAX or SFO. Currently SFO looks the most likely but we will let you know as soon as this is finalized. We will also organize a group flight from SLC airport to SFO/LAX. If you are joining us from another state, you will be responsible for booking your domestic travel to either SLC airport or our US departing airport LAX/SFO. Please communicate with us directly about your travel details. 

If you are an American student joining us from an international location, you can also join our group directly in Shanghai. 

Pay Full Early Bird Discount Tuition Here

 

Apply for Camp Gung Ho here

Parent Communication and Cell Phone Policy 

We use Seesaw to share pictures, videos, and updates for parents and guardians throughout the program. We post videos and pictures of students daily participating in activities multiple times a day and often immediately following an event.

We know from our previous camps that there is a great benefit to giving students time away from their cell phones to focus on the present. During certain portions of the Wuxi camp, we will collect cell phones from students and put them away for safekeeping. We will redistribute the phones at designated times and at any time upon student or parent request. 

 

 

Traveler’s Insurance

Project Prospect will provide travel insurance for travel in China. We encourage participants to purchase their own short-term travel insurance for the rest of the trip.

 

 

Student Health

We will be joined by two parent chaperones with an incredible US based medical background. One is a pediatrician with 22 years of experience and another is a nurse practitioner! Our US staff are all wilderness first-aid or wilderness first-responder certified and we have extensive experience working with the Chinese medical system which we have found to be robust and effective. US-trained medical school nurses will be available to our students during the camp.

We follow current CDC recommendations for COVID-19 best practices.

 

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