"To My Future Child"... Mokpo Hongil High School's Three-Generation Family Camp Draws Attention

Intergenerational Empathy Through “Sharing Our Wishes”
Addressing the Lack of Family Communication
Advancing Personalized Career Planning and Student-Centered Education

Laughter filled the Dolmeori Beach campground in Hampyeong, within Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City, for the first time in a while. The occasion was the “2026 School Year Family Career Camp: Bridging Generations Through Empathy Across Three Generations,” hosted by Mokpo Hongil High School.

Held over two days and one night starting October 31, the camp brought together 21 students, 40 family members, and second-year homeroom teachers for a special journey in nature. The event was organized as a small-group family camp to encourage smooth communication among participants and ensure safe activities.

Parents gathered around a campfire late at night watch videos students prepared in advance, sharing stories they would like to tell their future children, and are deeply moved as they bask in the glow of mood lights unique to each family. Photo courtesy of a reader.

After the opening ceremony on the first day, families took part in games and cooperative activities at the “Communication and Cooperation Festival,” strengthening their bonds and sense of community. In particular, the activity “Sharing Through an Auction, Creating Carbon Neutrality Through Action!”—in which families put cherished possessions up for auction and exchanged the proceeds for items such as school supplies—gave participants a meaningful opportunity to experience the value of resource circulation firsthand.

As night fell, the camp’s central “intergenerational empathy” program got underway. Students, who rarely had enough time to talk with their families, initially felt somewhat awkward. But after taking part in recreational activities and “Sharing Our Wishes,” a session where they opened up about their innermost thoughts, they began to open their hearts naturally.

Students and their families from Mokpo Hongil High School smiled brightly as they attended the opening ceremony on the first day of the “2026 Family Career Camp: Connecting Three Generations Through Intergenerational Understanding.” Photo courtesy of a reader.

Families then made their own mood lights to commemorate the occasion and, beside the campfire, shared feelings of gratitude and love that they had not been able to express before. In particular, watching videos the students had made in advance, titled “Stories I Want to Tell My Future Child,” deeply moved the parents.

The parents could not hide their surprise at glimpsing their children’s mature values. As the students were in their second year of high school, approaching the crucial period of university admissions and school-record management, the camp also provided a meaningful opportunity for open communication. It helped bridge the gap between the career paths parents had imagined for their children and the futures the students actually dreamed of, allowing them to understand one another more deeply.

Cheon Yeongo, the grade-level head who oversaw the event, said, “We planned the camp in the hope that children worn out by academic and career concerns would find motivation for the rest of their high school years with the steadfast support of their families. We hope this time will help students connect deeply with their parents, clarify their own career paths, and develop self-direction.”

Participating families build stronger bonds and a sense of community as they take part in various cooperative games at the “Communication and Cooperation Festival.” Photo courtesy of a reader.

On the second day, students, parents, and homeroom teachers gathered for a session titled “Sharing My Dreams and Career Plans with My Teacher” to explore career paths in detail. They then made Pepero and tea coasters together, creating warm family memories.

Principal Sim Wooyoung said, “I hope our students will step away from their daily routines, take part in experiences with their families, reflect on the importance of family and the meaning of intergenerational relationships, and build a positive family culture. Above all, I hope they will grow into responsible future leaders.”

Meanwhile, in addition to this family camp, Mokpo Hongil High School offers a variety of student-centered educational activities. Through its after-school program, the school supports students’ dreams and talents by offering activities such as drones, Hongil Food, and the Hongil band, as well as a sports admissions preparation class for students planning to pursue sports-related majors and an art class for aspiring painters.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.