Karuizawa Nature
Adventure 2023
Every day we will experience what nature has to offer in different environments. The locations include volcanic fields, waterfalls, bird watching, cooking over a campfire, and Japanese culture.
Ages 4 - 6 Years Old
Week 1: Jul 24 - 28
Week 2: Jul 31 - Aug 4
Week 3: Aug 7 - 11
Week 4: Aug 14 - 18
Daily Schedule
8:45-9:00 Meet at Karuizawa Station in the morning.
Once everyone is ready we will drive to the Nature Adventure destination for the day.
When we arrive we will get ourselves ready for the day, dressing for the weather, bathroom, etc.
Every destination brings its own uniqueness, exploration, and adventure. Every child brings their own experience and imagination to explore.
We will find our lunch spot for the day and a healthy lunch will be served.
Enjoy more play and exploration before heading back to Karuizawa Station
3:00pm: End of the fantastic day!
Program Information
Camp Dates
Week 1: July 24 - 28, 2023
Week 2: July 31 - August 4, 2023
Week 3: August 7 - 11, 2023
Week 4: August 14 - 18, 2023
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Ages
4 to 6 Years Old
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Camp Time
9:00am - 3:00pm
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Location
Rising Field Karuizawa
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Fee
¥154,000 per week
Frequently asked questions
Our list of locations include (Locations might change depending on the weather and circumstances)
Rising Field - An all inclusive campsite that ranges from bushcraft to glamping. There is the potential of hiking, waterplay, spotting wild animals, cooking, and much much more
Kumanokotai Shrine - A shrine in between Nagano and Gunma prefecture. The traditional Japanese shrine is deep in the forest with a lot of exploration of culture, geography, hiking, and even a sacred magical tree.
Sengataki Waterfall - This waterfall is smaller than Shiraito Falls which means it’s more peaceful and allows for more exploration.
Onioshidashi Volcanic Park - A destination where we can feel the power of the earth. With a vantage point of Asama we can learn about the formation of the area and see a glimpse of the active volcano.
Karuizawa Wild Bird Sanctuary - A wonderful place to observe flora and fauna. There is a feeding pond where birds gather and plenty of nature for adventure.
As you prepare for an unforgettable summer camp experience, it's crucial to dress appropriately for the weather. To help you choose the proper attire, we recommend visiting Picchio's excellent climate-based clothing resource: https://picchio.co.jp/climate/.
In addition to the clothing recommendations provided by Picchio, please ensure your camper has the following essential items for a comfortable and enjoyable experience at our summer camp:
Must Haves for TCG Summer Campers
- Long, breathable pants: Choose hiking pants or track pants over jeans to prevent scratches. (Example)
- Long sleeve breathable shirt: This will protect campers from the sun and insect bites.
- Breathable T-shirt with light jacket: Allows for layering and comfort. (Example)
- Close-toed shoes: These protect feet from branches, rocks, and insects.
- Hat: Provides additional sun protection.
- 500ml+ water bottle with a cup: Ensures campers stay hydrated. (Example)
- Complete set of spare clothes: In case of accidents or weather changes.
- Outdoor appropriate backpack: It should be comfortable for children to carry for long durations. (Example)
Recommendations for Choosing Outdoor Wear:
- Consider buying a larger size jacket so it can be worn over winter clothes.
- Encourage layering so children can easily regulate their body temperature.
Additional Gear Suggestions:
- Rain pants: Look for pants that cover up to the chest with suspenders and have foot loops for a secure fit. (Example)
- Boots: Opt for boots with handles on both sides for easy wear and removal. (Example)
Recommended Shop: For high-quality, sustainable, and affordable outdoor wear from Finland, visit https://www.reimajapan.com/.
Our 2023 Team!
Yoshi was born in Sapporo but had an international upbringing, spending his childhood in Taiwan, Hong Kong (China) and South Korea until he left for the United States for University.
His passion for education was ignited in 2014 during the time when Yoshi worked for a non-profit in Honduras when he learned that his homestay sister had only four books at home. Because he believes quality education should be accessible to all, he crowdsourced a project that resulted in the establishment of the town’s first community library (e-libro project).
Yoshi has organized, managed and delivered successful summer camp programs in previous seasons in Tokyo, Nagano and Gunma prefectures as the Country Manager of a programming school for kids and also as the Director of an academic institution for international school students in Tokyo.
Yoshi currently works as an educational consultant where he advises and consults international schools, educational institutions and individual families who want to provide a quality education for their children. He holds a Masters of Education in Technology, Innovation and Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education (MA 2017).
His fondest memories as a child were playing outdoors in the creek with friends, camping with the Cub Scouts of America, and being outside. We built makeshift rafts, explored the neighborhood, learnt about our environment, and dealt with the weather without adult supervision. His passion is to give that right to explore, play and be in nature back to the children in an educational setting. Realizing the need to for education in an outdoor environment Kai founded iForest - International Forest School in Tokyo.
In the pursuit to become a confident outdoor counselor Kai began seeking a profession in education in 2007. Starting with the U.S. Peace Corps to a MS in Early Childhood and Family Development from Missouri State University. He has worked in prominent international schools in Minato municipality and he is a board member at NPO Harmony International School, Fujisawa, Japan.
Kai is also a JBS (Japan Bushcraft School) certified advisor, is WFA (Wilderness First Aid) certified through Wilderness Medical Associates International, and will soon be a Level 3 Forest School Leader
About TCG
Tokyo Children’s Garden is an innovative, Reggio Emilia-inspired bilingual preschool nestled in the heart of Tokyo. We view children as capable learners and actively embrace their thoughts and ideas in our unique, nurturing environment.
At the start of the pandemic, we temporarily closed our Tokyo campus while seeking an alternative to online sessions. Believing young children need real-life experiences, we relocated to a scenic house in the woods of Kawaguchiko, surrounded by breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji, not knowing if any of our school families would follow us.
To our delight, most of our families joined us, resulting in a memorable summer of forest fun. Since then, we have regularly offered forest school experiences in Karuizawa and are thrilled to introduce our Nature Adventure camp to new families this summer.
This year, we're fortunate to have Kai Chang and Tsuyoshi "Yoshi" Domoto lead our Karuizawa Nature Adventure in picturesque Karuizawa. Our exciting program has engaging activities and outings to spark curiosity and inspire young minds. Campers will make new friends, explore nature, and learn new things, all against the stunning backdrop of Mt. Asama. There's no better way to spend the summer!
About iForest
iForest is an all outdoors nature school in and around Tokyo. It is inspired by the Danish forest school approach and believes that each child holds their own motivation to learn. Learning in nature at an early age will help the children have a deeper appreciation and connection to our beautiful world. The freedom of learning from the outdoors stimulates physical, cognitive, linguistic, social and emotional and with the added health benefits.
