On May 31, the "Mindful Treasure Hunt" campus event, jointly organized by the Youth League Committee of the School of Intelligence Science and Technology and the Nanjing University Student Psychological Association (Extension), was successfully held on the West Campus of Suzhou Campus. This event aimed to actively practice the philosophy of "Health First," respond to the spirit of Nanjing University's 5·25 Mental Health Festival, and integrate psychological education into the holistic development of students. Combining the psychological characteristics of students with the school's strengths in intelligent disciplines, the event sought to guide students to appreciate the beauty of the Nanjing University Suzhou Campus and campus life through an engaging blend of psychology and intellectual challenges, cultivating a positive and optimistic mindset and empowering students' healthy growth. Nearly 50 students, together with "Nan Xiaobao," formed nine teams and engaged in a two-hour campus treasure hunt, presenting an exciting competition that integrated collaboration, challenges, strategy, and personal development.
Ready to Go: The Story Begins Here
At the beginning of the event, all teams were ready to go. After receiving their exclusive stickers and starting coins, they quickly set off to the five themed stations located across the campus, embarking on their own treasure hunt journey.
Wisdom Empowerment: The Choice Between Pathfinding and Task Splitting
The treasure hunt featured five interactive stations, each with its own unique psychological challenge for the participants. Each team had to complete the tasks at every station, earn reward coins, and then return to the starting point. The final rankings were determined by the total number of coins each team collected.
It is worth noting that in the "Event Instruction Manual" released prior to the activity, the planning team, through careful design and precise measurement, designated five iconic locations across the newly opened West Campus of Suzhou Campus as the stations. Each interactive station featured a different set of tasks, and the distances between stations also varied. Participants had to choose a station that suited their team's strengths to start the challenge, strive to earn "speedrun bonuses," and strategically plan the most suitable route to navigate through all the stations before returning to the starting point.
This thoughtful design effectively guided participants to apply algorithms such as "shortest path" and "dynamic programming"—concepts they had mastered in their professional studies at the School of Intelligence Science and Technology—to a real-world scenario. Through the gameplay, they experienced firsthand how algorithmic thinking can optimize efficiency, fully showcasing the academic character of the school's activities. At the same time, navigating between the various stations allowed participants to enjoy the beauty of the campus in early summer, visit its landmark buildings, and further enhance their awareness and sense of belonging to the Nanjing University Suzhou Campus culture.
Psychological Healing: Finding the Team's Answer
The five station tasks were all carefully designed to align with the psychological characteristics and needs of the students, seamlessly integrating mini psychological games into the challenges.
At the 'Trouble Echo Station,' team members passed a ball in a relay, demonstrating seamless collaboration, and conveyed understanding and warmth as they sincerely responded to questions about personal worries.At the "Heartfelt Message Station," body language performances and back-writing word-guessing games unfolded one after another, filling the scene with laughter.At the "Nature Light Station," participants actively explored the campus, searching for traces of plants and animals, capturing moments of human-nature encounters through their lenses.At the "Coloring Calm Station," teams worked together to complete vibrant mandala artworks, experiencing the healing power of focused creation amidst a burst of colors.At the "Trust Walk Station," a blindfolded challenge tested communication and trust among teammates, allowing everyone to truly feel the strength of teamwork through collaboration.
Each station not only tested team collaboration skills but also provided participants with opportunities to express themselves, relieve stress, and enhance mutual communication, offering a rewarding psychological healing experience through the challenges.
It is worth noting that the event took place on the day before Children's Day (June 1). Special arrangements were made to open the activity to the faculty, staff, and their children at the Suzhou Campus. Among the nine participating teams, seven were composed of students, while the other two were special "Nan Xiaobao" teams. These younger participants joined the treasure hunt with a more innocent and lighthearted approach. For them, this was not just a game, but also a small adventure that allowed them to get to know the campus, bond with friends, and experience pure joy. Their involvement brought an extra touch of childlike warmth and uniqueness to the event.
Storms Rise Again: The Battle of Treasure Chests and Duels
After 14:30, the event reached its climax. The mechanisms of the treasure chest merchant, the coin hunter, and team-based psychological gameplay were simultaneously activated, instantly transforming the campus into a treasure-hunting battlefield full of uncertainty and strategy. While planning their routes and completing tasks, teams also had to locate the treasure chest merchant to exchange for intelligence and engage in random challenges with the coin hunter for extra rewards. Teams that crossed paths along the way also faced off in fun duels such as "Park Tour," "Blind Men Touching an Elephant," and "Point Gambling." The clash of strategy and courage, along with the interplay of tacit understanding and wisdom, repeatedly brought the atmosphere to a boil.
Throughout the competition, participants not only demonstrated outstanding teamwork and on-the-spot adaptability but also grew closer through interaction and communication. Some pushed their limits through running, others learned to trust through collaboration, and still others found warmth and strength through sharing and listening.
Returning with a Full Load: Gains Beyond the Awards
When the final whistle blew, teams made their way back to the Chengyuan Student Community one after another. After tallying and calculations, the first and second prizes of the event were finally determined. Every participant had encountered a better version of themselves along the treasure hunt, leaving behind shining memories. For the students, it was a campus exploration of teamwork and strategic challenge. For the two "Nan Xiaobao" teams, it was a special experience of tackling challenges and sharing laughter together with their "big friends." Participants of different ages each took something away, together creating the warmest scene of the event.
Finally, Zhang Tiantian, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Intelligence Science and Technology, delivered a summary of the event. She remarked that the smiling faces of the students and the "Nan Xiaobao" participants were the greatest affirmation of the event. She noted that the theme of the "Mindful Treasure Hunt" psychological event was 5·25, which stands for "I Love Me," and encouraged students to uphold the philosophy of "Health First." She urged them to care for their physical and mental well-being amidst their busy academic and work lives, to actively participate in outdoor and group activities, to embrace themselves, nature, and life, and first and foremost to "become a well-rounded individual, so as to better adapt to society in the future."
Looking Back on the Journey: The Answers to Growth Lie Along the Way
Looking back on this journey, what is more precious than the results are the experiences and companionship along the way.
The campus treasure hunt may have ended, but growth and joy continue.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to every participant for their wholehearted engagement, and to all the behind-the-scenes staff and volunteers for their dedicated efforts. May you continue to embrace the courage to explore the unknown, maintain the tacit understanding to walk alongside one another, and carry forward the passion to journey far and wide.
With the "wisdom" of our discipline, "paint" the beauty of our campus; with the truth of the "heart," leave your unique "trace."
The Mindful Treasure Hunt: tracing growth, one step at a time.
Looking forward to our next encounter!
