The initiative has been designed in two formats: a one-day experience for lower secondary students titled "A Day as a Forest Ranger" and a two-day, one-night program for high school students called "Kon Ka Kinh Young Rangers Expedition."
Both programs have recently been piloted with students from Hra Lower Secondary School in Hra commune and Tran Hung Dao High School in Mang Yang commune as the National Park refines the educational tourism product.
During the one-day program, lower secondary students become "junior rangers," learning practical skills under the guidance of National Park staff. Activities include reading maps, using compasses, identifying plant and animal species, patrolling forest trails, and recording signs of impacts on forest resources.
Students also visit a cluster of heritage banyan trees, observe the ecological layers of the ancient forest, experience H'Ngoi stream, and explore the surrounding environment through direct interaction with nature.
Nguyen Vu Nhat Nguyen, a teacher at Hra Lower Secondary School, said the program differs from conventional lessons because students actively perform real ranger tasks instead of simply listening to presentations.
According to Ms. Nguyen, participants learn to distinguish motorcycle tracks from those of larger vehicles, identify fallen trees, and determine whether they were caused by natural events or human activity.
She said the combination of games and field challenges helps students strengthen observation, reasoning, and teamwork skills while quickly mastering map-reading and compass navigation. Meals in the forest and outdoor exploration also create lasting memories.
The high school program provides a more advanced experience. During the two-day expedition, students examine the structure of old-growth forest ecosystems, learn to install camera traps for wildlife monitoring, and practise outdoor survival skills, including building fires and cooking in the forest.
At night, students experience the forest through the sounds of insects, flowing streams, and wildlife before spending the night at a research station. The following morning, they continue their activities by observing primate tracks and witnessing the forest at dawn.
For many participants, the experience leaves a lasting impression beyond classroom knowledge.
Tran Minh Quang, an 11th-grade student at Tran Hung Dao High School, said the nighttime experience in the forest and group activities at the research station were the highlights of the trip.
He said the expedition changed his perception of the forest, helping him understand that every plant and animal species plays a role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. Quang added that he hopes to return and volunteer to support future student groups visiting the National Park.
Le Quy Thang, a teacher at Tran Hung Dao High School who accompanied the students, said learning directly in the forest enables students to retain knowledge more effectively than classroom-based lessons.
He noted that without mobile phone signals, artificial intelligence, or internet search engines, students must rely on their own observation, analysis, and problem-solving abilities. He added that such an environment naturally reveals students' critical thinking, teamwork, and decision-making skills.
The school tourism initiative marks the first time Kon Ka Kinh National Park has independently developed an educational tourism program specifically designed for students, according to guide Vu Thi Thu Chinh.
While similar school tours have previously been organised by travel companies in partnership with schools, Ms. Chinh said this programme features tailored content and itineraries for different educational levels.
Following the pilot tours, Kon Ka Kinh National Park is finalising the school tourism product for its planned launch in the summer of 2026.
Ms. Chinh said the National Park aims to establish a long-term educational tourism programme that combines nature experiences, environmental education, and life skills training, helping students gain a deeper understanding of forests while fostering environmental awareness and a lasting appreciation for nature.
