How is A summer camp a "liberation"?

People often assume that change is incredibly difficult. We hope that at camp, all our participants can grow at their own pace, perhaps without even realizing it. Realizing and reflecting on that growth may liberate them from that initial assumption.

TOKIHA Camps

TOKIHA Camps are spaces of self-discovery where people reflect on their past experiences, perspectives, and even identities. A week-long program in an enclosed environment creates an opportunity for 40 campers and 10 counselors to share new ideas, to rethink the surrounding norms, and to enliven this once-in-a-lifetime summer camp.

Along the way, we inspire the junior high and high school students, known as “campers,” to step out of their comfort zones, to spark their motivation to chase a dream, and to grasp a little bit of courage even for something as seemingly simple as asking a question. We aim to empower them to express themselves and their ideas in ways that traditional systems do not allow.

For college students, known as “counselors,” this is a chance to exercise their potential as educators, mentors, and peers in a unique, two-way learning experience. Every year, we revamp the camp experience and together create a deck of original workshops. These interactive workshops encompass many different perspectives and fields of interest, leaving rewarding experiences for the counselors and enjoyable takeaways for participants.

The camps, which are entirely run in English, are conducted by counselors who keep a close-knit "family" of about 8 campers per 2 counselors. These families engage in team bonding activities and then join back together as a group to participate in workshops, guest speaker presentations, and valuable social activities like campfires, night walks, and free periods.

Example Workshop

Synchro Challenge

Synchro Challenge workshop in 2016 Fukuoka Camp, for example, was designed by Sustainable Environmental Design, Environmental Science, Linguistics, and Sociology major counselors (Sho, Maria, Xenia, Shadia).

In the three-stage game, campers were placed in groups of three, each given a certain inhibition on their physical ability. The fourth member of the group would remotely communicate with the other three via cell phone to instruct them on clearing the missions that she receives from a counselor.

The purpose of this workshop was to exhibit that we each have individual talents and shortcomings. It's not just how you individually shine, but how your differences can work together with others to complete a mission and create a whole community.