Chinese ‘hardship camps’ see children chop wood, feed pigs to learn family appreciation

SCMP | Aug. 20, 2026, 6 a.m. | Original

A trend in China, referred to as “hardship camps,” sees children engaged in strenuous tasks such as chopping wood and feeding pigs, often resulting in tears. Photo: SCMP composite/RedNote

Chinese parents are sending their children to “hardship summer camps” to engage in farm work, often to the point of tears, in an effort to teach them the realities of life and foster appreciation for their families.

This summer, a programme known as “hardship camp” is gaining popularity across China. Many parents are investing thousands of yuan (hundreds of US dollars) to send their children to the countryside to experience rural life first-hand.

These programmes are primarily located in the southwestern provinces of Sichuan, Guizhou, and Yunnan, where the climate is relatively pleasant during the summer months.

The activities assigned to the children at the camp mirror the daily tasks of farmers, including digging and selling potatoes, peeling bark, and feeding pigs.

The activities assigned to children at these camps reflect the daily duties of farmers, including digging and selling potatoes, peeling bark, and tending to livestock. Photo: ettoday.net
The activities assigned to children at these camps reflect the daily duties of farmers, including digging and selling potatoes, peeling bark, and tending to livestock. Photo: ettoday.net

However, unlike ordinary helpers who receive wages for their labour, these children – and their parents – must pay for the experience.

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