We have asked the Directors and Sub-Directors of this year’s camps to look back on their previous experience with TOKIHA and share with us some of the valuable takeaways they have earned, as they look ahead on the 10th anniversary of TOKIHA’s camps since its birth. We hope to showcase to our audience how the staff and campers may liberate themselves through immersive collaborations in the brief moments we spend together in one summer…
Annika: My name is Annika Ling and after a memorable TOKIHA 2025, I am delighted to be returning as one of the program directors for TOKIHA 2026. I was born and raised in San Jose, California and currently study Computational Biology at UCLA. Growing up, I was fascinated by how the human body works, and later discovered that I enjoy computer science. My hope is to learn how to apply the theoretical knowledge that I am gaining to solve complex health problems. In my free time, I enjoy trying out new recipes, crocheting floral doilies, and going on long walks with a cup of milk tea.
I was initially drawn to TOKIHA because teaching is something I have always been passionate about. The opportunity to create a workshop from scratch was really exciting to me, and I had so much fun working with my fellow counselors to create activities that we were proud of. From the very beginning of camp, I could tell that TOKIHA was going to be a life changing experience, and looking back, I can say with confidence that it was. With each new activity that we introduced, I loved watching each camper open up and start expressing themselves. Some of my favorite memories include playing Bunny Bunny after sharing smores by the campfire, working with my family to untie a human knot, and the huge water balloon fight towards the end of camp.
TOKIHA’s mission is special to me because at some point when I was growing up, I went from being someone eager to answer any question presented to me, to someone who would hide from the teacher’s gaze when a question was being asked. During camp, I could see my younger self in some of the campers who were afraid to put themselves out there. My personal goal is to help campers learn how to come out of their shells and make small steps towards building up their confidence to express themselves to others.
For 2026, our goal is for everyone to learn something new about both themselves and others, and hopefully have the chance to express themselves in ways they might not have before. I am honored to be working alongside many returning members from the last camp and I am so excited to see what we put together for the upcoming summer.
Rikako: My name is Rikako Baba, and I’m excited to be involved in this wonderful camp again following TOKIHA 2025. I was born and raised in Fukuoka, Japan, and I currently study at SILS at Waseda University. Starting this fall, I will study abroad at the University of Washington in Seattle. Although I don’t have a specific major yet, I’m interested in international relations and Japanese politics. Recently, I have also become interested in accounting, so in the future, I hope to take the national certified public accountant (CPA) exam in Japan. I’m a big sports fan, especially baseball and volleyball. In my free time, I enjoy watching and playing them and strolling around Tokyo.
I first became interested in TOKIHA for a simple reason — it seemed like a fun opportunity to connect with new people through English. However, as we built the camp together, it quickly became much more meaningful to me. I met friends who shared the same love for English, and before I knew it, they had become people I truly value.TOKIHA creates a special community outside of school where people with similar interests can come together. It gives campers the chance to meet others who share their passion, which naturally builds their motivation and confidence.One activity that left a strong impression on me was the identity workshop. We took time to reflect on our inner selves, something we rarely have the chance to do in our daily lives. Watching everyone think about who they are made me realize how important it is to truly understand yourself first. I believe this reflection helps people become their own biggest supporters and opens the door to new possibilities for the future.Some of my most unforgettable memories include running around outside during the water balloon fight and feeling a sense of pure youth and freedom. At the banquet, seeing everyone’s smiles regardless of gender, grade, or role, I felt deeply moved and grateful to be part of such a special place.
Looking back, I realize how much I have changed over the years. I wasn’t always comfortable expressing myself, especially in junior high and high school, because I was afraid of having opinions that were different from others. Speaking up felt scary, so I often stayed quiet or simply agreed with everyone else.However, after coming to university and meeting people from many different backgrounds, I slowly began to see that being different is not something to hide, but something valuable. Through those experiences, I discovered my own values and learned how to put my thoughts into words. Once I found my own voice, expressing myself became natural, and I could finally picture the future I wanted. I hope TOKIHA can be a place where campers feel safe to open their minds and discover who they truly are. Through this camp, I want to support them as they take steps toward expressing themselves with confidence. I’m truly grateful to be part of this journey again this year.