On November 12, the “Body and Mind Together” Campus Orienteering Contest (COC) and the 1st China College Orienteering League Tournament were held at the Guiyuan Playground. The event witnessed surging enthusiasm and energy, with contestants taking off their thick coats to embark on the orienteering adventure despite the chilly winds of early winter.

The COC, jointly organized by the WHU Sports Commission and the WHU Mental Health Association, aims to enhance students’ athletic and mental well-being by fostering a spirit of competition and teamwork. This year marked a creative combination of the COC with a mental health knowledge contest. Participants in the COC were encouraged to engage in educational quizzes and team games, further enhancing their overall experience.

Early at 8:00 in the morning, more than 100 participants from various departments gathered at the playground to collect their numbers and sign in. They could be seen stretching and jumping to keep warm while waiting for the competition to start. Once the event kicked off, contestants in the group competition were faced with the task of collaboratively discussing and deciding the shortest route to complete the contest. Armed with a map and their knowledge of WHU, they navigated the campus in search of clock-in points spread across the picturesque campus. This presented a notable challenge for all participants, testing both their orienteering skills and familiarity with the campus.

In addition to the challenging part, which required both wisdom and physical strength, the event also featured entertaining activities such as playing charades, writing blessings, and performances. Team members were encouraged to exchange ideas and support each other to complete these enjoyable tasks. As laughter and cheers hovered above Guiyuan Playground, the game fostered collaboration and friendship among group members. All in all, this year’s COC provided a fantastic opportunity for participants to appreciate the beauty of WHU while enjoying the joy and excitement of sporting events.

Edited by Wang Yihan, Zhang Jing, Cao Hangqian