Fellow Students Off To Mandatory Military Training!

Students listening to the headteacher tell them the reasons for going to this camp (supposedly for building character, and developing team building skills...but that is debatable)
I like this picture because you can get a glimpse of the student's faces and what they have brought with them. very few items are permitted.
Military officials discussing travel arrangements
Students being informed, my camera is spotted by a soldier

(Head teacher gives a rousing speech, that doesn't rouse students much)

This past week my fellow 高一(gao-ee, first year of high school in China) peers have been participating in a grueling mandatory military training camp. All foreign students at my school opted out. The food is supposed to be horrible, and for a whole week you are not permitted to shower (nor are the facilities provided). Toilets might also be a bit of a dive too then.

I saw pictures of last year's camp and the students didn't look so cheery...In fact they looked miserable. Their uniforms are not military-esque at all! Actually they are rather kitschy. Like boy scouts except more flamboyant iwth bright colors for everyone! Blues and chartreuses for boys, pink and white for girls. Everyone has matching visors/baseball caps. All the kneckerchiefs are red.

I am told the students learn basic survival techniques, like purifying water and how to start a fire as well as miltary excercises and tests. One fo the tests is standing in the sun for 30 minutes straight without moving. That was one of the reasons why I didn't want to go!