What Is The Role Of A Counselor?
Every TOKIHA counselor brings a passion for both teaching and learning from others, the creativity and curiosity to implement diverse and inspiring workshops, and above all, the empathy to support campers’ aspirations.
Counselors are college students from any institution
For several months in preparation, the counselors communicate with others from different backgrounds, brainstorm ideas about workshops, and work together to ultimately create the ideal summer camp that spark the hearts of campers. Every counselor will be responsible to design, prepare, and facilitate workshops through small-group collaboration.
A workshop, we define, is a framework designed so that the campers can grow as individuals. Simultaneously, it is a place where the counselor can showcase and share with the campers something they themselves are passionate about or were liberated by.
Camp experience cannot be merely summarized by interactive workshops. Camp as a whole is a single dialogue working with each individual’s self-actualization, both campers and counselors. The underlying role of every counselor is to initiate it, guide it, and ultimately liberate it.
2024 Counselors
Timeline
Recruiting and Admissions [Applications closed for Summer 2024]
October 4, 2023
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October 12, 2023 @ 6pm
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Infosession @ Berkeley
October 20, 2023 @ 5pm
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Virtual Infosession
Please email tokiha.admissions@gmail.com for the link
October 31, 2023
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Applications Close
Individual Interviews Start
Preparation and Team Bonding
February 2, 2024
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Welcome Dinner
February 6, 2024
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Counselor Trainings Begin
TBD - May 2024
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Simulation Day for Test Running Workshops
Summer Camps and Events [Camp dates: August 4-7, 2024]
FAQ
Do counselors have to be able to speak Japanese?
Absolutely not! All aspects of the program, including the preparatory and camp period, are in English. We are also staffed with bilingual counselors who can assist counselors that do not speak Japanese.
I will be unable to attend the info sessions. May I still apply to the program?
Yes, it is alright if you cannot attend the info sessions. You are still welcome to apply by the due date!
Do counselors have to have teaching credentials?
No. Counselors are undergraduate or graduate students from any university in the world. We have had counselors from a variety of majors not limited to Mathematics, Computer Science, Film, English, Biology, Sociology, Psychology, Environmental Science, Design, and so on. However, it definitely does not hurt to be majoring or interested in Education or Teaching!
What expenses will I incur as a counselor?
TOKIHA covers accommodations for the entirety of the program, meal costs during your stay at campsites, and partial transportation costs during the program. In addition, TOKIHA will subsidize the flight cost for at least ¥80,000 (or higher depending on how many sponsorships we receive by the program date, we will increase the subsidy) upon the successful completion of the program. With that said, prior to disbursement of the subsidy, counselors will have to book the flight on their own and email the receipt & itinerary to us. Food costs incurred outside of campsites and on personal trips that you may plan are your own expense.
I am currently not enrolled in college. Can I still apply?
Absolutely yes! If you recently graduated, are taking a semester off, or are not enrolled for whatever reason, you are still eligible to apply! One thing we do care is that, for most cases, we ask that all counselors to be able to attend meetings and put enough time into the preparation.
I have never been to Japan. What are some travel tips I should be aware?
First and foremost, you will need a passport. If you don’t have a passport, you will need to apply for one. You will also be entering Japan with a visitor’s visa. Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a visa. We will assist you on the way; however, it is counselor’s responsibility to get this done on time. Other than that, Japan may be quite humid and hot during the summer. Most of our past counselors say that it is easy to travel around Japan and that they had an enjoyable time.
What do we look for in counselor applications?
We look for collaborative skills. When it comes to designing workshops with peers, it is crucial that counselors are open-minded to constructive criticism and able to respectfully resolve disagreemensts. We would also like counselors to have their own unique perspectives and passions to share in the creation of camp activities.
Where do middle and high school student “campers” come from?
TOKIHA is supported by various public and private institutions including governments and boards of education. We work with them to advertise to schools in Japan.
I have conflicts with the dates. Can I skip the preparation period and/or camp dates?
Unfortunately no. We require that all counselors be with us from the first day of the preparation to the last day after cleanup and review.
What does the application process consist of?
The TOKIHA application process consists of an initial application form, a 30-minute individual interview, an hour long group interview, and a 30-minute final interview with our president.
