This time, we asked Niinani about her leadership experience at Campship Academy.
Of all the options available, why did you choose to attend Campship Academy?
I have a younger brother and cousins who are almost all younger than me, so I've always been the oldest in my family and have been involved in a lot of small things, and I love working with children, so I was initially interested in this program. I also participated in a summer camp when I lived in the United States, and I still remember the fun and fulfilling memories I had with the leaders. I decided to participate because I wanted to be a part of those memories for the children .
Why did you decide to participate as a leader multiple times?
My first time participating was in the Yatsugatake Mountains in the summer of 2024. I was amazed by the midsummer heat and the physical strength of the elementary school students, and by the end, I was the one receiving energy from the children. It was tough, but very fulfilling, and I learned a lot from the experience, not just about how to interact with children. The other leaders and organizers were also all wonderful, and although I was probably causing them a lot of trouble, they supported me until the end, which was very reassuring. After that summer, I participated in the winter with a sense of revenge, hoping to use this experience to become a leader who can make the children feel more enjoyable. The more I participated, the more I found the time with the children to be more enjoyable than difficult, and before I knew it, it had become a must-attend event for me every long holiday .
What is your most memorable experience from the program?
It may seem like a small thing, but as the number of times increases, the children who have participated multiple times start to remember me, which makes me very happy.
And during our most recent Zao program, there was a day of heavy fog, making it really difficult to see even an inch ahead. I thought the kids might be nervous skiing in such conditions, but they were enjoying the conditions, saying things like, "It's a whiteout!" and "It's so exciting!", and I had a lot of respect for them . It was a fond memory of us all sticking together and following the kids in brightly colored clothing as we skied down the slopes.
What was the most challenging aspect of the program?
Speaking of challenging times, I remember the ski program at Shiga Kogen in early 2025. I was mostly in charge of inexperienced groups, and everyone was improving at different rates and had different motivations. Some kids wanted to ski more, while others thought they couldn't do it anymore, so I remember worrying a lot about how to motivate and cheer everyone on.
Also, the first time we went to Yatsugatake, I am not very good at dealing with heat and I underestimated the physical strength of elementary school students, so it was the most physically challenging trip.
What do you think is the role of a leader at Campship Academy?
I think the phrase "a little older friends" is a really accurate description . We're not like school teachers, but there are times when we have to get them to listen to us for safety reasons. We try to see things from the same perspective as the kids, enjoying ourselves to the fullest, and doing the right thing when necessary. I want to be like that too, and I think that's our role.
What do you think makes a campship unique?
I think it's a good thing that they don't interfere too much with the children . Maintaining overall control at such a large camp is difficult, especially when the children are younger. Normally, it would be natural for things to be a little strict and for strict rules to be set. However, at Campship, I feel that the principle is for children to think and act for themselves, and I think it's a place where children can develop their independence and thinking skills . I really like the style where adults don't get too involved and the children can talk, think, and have fun on their own.
The leaders often say, "Let's have fun!", and I'm always impressed by the kindness of the organizers, who are always thinking about how to make sure that not only the children but we too can have just as much fun.
A message to future leaders!
When I first joined, I was full of anxiety, and because Campship is not a place that sets many rules, there were times when I didn't know what to do. However, the management and senior leaders were always there to support me. This will definitely be the most fulfilling period of the long vacation, so I look forward to meeting you someday ✊🏻
