As part of the ongoing summer camp programme, students from the International German School Hefei visited the Hefei Zoo for a day of exploration, observation, and hands-on learning.

The field trip offered an opportunity for students to connect classroom knowledge with real-world experiences and to deepen their understanding of animals and their habitats.

The visit supported several key learning objectives. Students were encouraged to observe animal behaviour, recognise species diversity, and consider the importance of environmental protection. They moved through different sections of the zoo in guided groups, stopping to ask questions, take notes, and participate in short discussions about diet, adaptations, and conservation efforts.

The experience supported language development as well, with students using newly learned vocabulary to describe animals and their surroundings.

In addition to academic goals, the trip fostered social learning. Moving together in small groups, students practiced responsibility, cooperation, and respectful behaviour in a public setting.

At the end of the day, students returned to school to complete a short reflection in their journals. They wrote about what they saw, what surprised them, and what they would like to learn more about. This reflection served not only as a moment of personal processing, but also as a way to connect the field experience with upcoming classroom activities.

The Hefei Zoo field trip was a meaningful addition to the camp programme: balancing learning with curiosity, and structure with discovery.