The 2025 summer program will start on Tokashiki Island in Okinawa! This program will take children on a plane and ferry to a remote island camp in the natural beauty of Tokashiki Island in the Kerama Islands.
However, something unexpected happened on this remote island camping trip! Due to the effects of a typhoon that occurred nearby, we had to leave the island earlier than planned. As a result, our stay on Tokashiki Island was limited to just two days.
Despite such a major change in schedule, the children took it in a positive way and spent each day with smiles on their faces.
"The other party is nature. Traveling can be difficult, but if you're with friends, you can enjoy any changes!"
We will bring you a report on the special Okinawa program where everyone was able to experience all of this!
<Haneda Airport>
At the meeting point at Haneda Airport, everyone had a variety of expressions on their faces, some beaming with excitement for the program, others looking a little anxious about the long journey. I boarded the plane, gradually becoming more comfortable with my new friends. The flight ended in a flash, and we arrived at Naha Airport.
At the airport before departure
<Naha>
Due to bad weather, the ferry to Tokashiki Island was cancelled, so they had to stay overnight in Naha. They decided to have fun together in Naha, so they left their luggage and went to a park where Campship's popular program, "Get The King," began. Of course, the leaders participated enthusiastically and had a great time with the children. There was a sudden downpour, but the kids' excitement only increased! It was very impressive to see the children accepting the changes in nature with smiles on their faces.
Get the King is a team sport where players must find the hidden king! Teamwork naturally develops and deepens team bonds.
<Okinawa cuisine>
In the evening, we went to an Okinawan restaurant. Even the kids who said they didn't like bitter melon were able to eat the authentic bitter melon chanpuru. It was the moment they discovered the real thing! Everyone loves Okinawa soba! It was a night of constant refills.
<To Tokashiki Island>
The next day, we took a boat to Tokashiki Island. The children were excited about their first ferry ride. Their eyes lit up at the clear blue ocean visible from the window. The leaders were also excited! They couldn't wait to get into the ocean! They desperately tried to resist the urge to jump into the sea from the boat.
<To Tokashiku Beach>
After arriving on the island, we headed straight to the beach! In perfect weather, the children enjoyed various marine activities. While snorkeling, they were able to see the coral and fish swimming right before their eyes. It was a time spent immersed in an extraordinary underwater world. The clear blue sky. The Kerama blue ocean can only be seen by travelling to Tokashiki Island!
Children filled with nature and smiles
<Watermelon Smashing Contest>
After returning to the dormitory, the children had a watermelon-breaking contest against their leader! However, even though they had the sticks in hand, they struggled to hit the watermelon. As they tried again and again, they began to encourage each other and gradually cooperate. "More to the right!" "Not too far away!" Their desperate voices echoed throughout the dormitory, telling everyone the way to the watermelon, and smiles naturally spread across the room. The children won the contest! Everyone enjoyed the delicious watermelon they broke.
The view from the lodgings on the hill. You can see the ocean in the distance.
＜Leaving the island due to a typhoon＞
While we were having such a fun time, several typhoons broke out in the vicinity, and the ferry company contacted us to say that our planned return ferry would be canceled. This was very disappointing, but we had to quickly move up our plans and leave the island.
When I told the kids about the change in plans, their first reaction was a disappointed "Huh?" But gradually they started to think, "Let's do some fun things in Naha again! Let's have fun!" As more and more people started saying this, they regained their composure and finally left Tokashiki Island with smiles on their faces.
<Mango welcome>
Unfortunately, after returning to Naha due to the typhoon, the children were able to do whatever they wanted, enjoying optional activities such as searching for seashells, making friendship bracelets, and playing in the park. The group searching for seashells cheered when they found sea glass! Each child enjoyed the beach in their own way.
We did a variety of activities, but one of the most exciting things was biting into a whole mango, a Okinawa specialty! In fact, the parents of the children who participated in the event in Okinawa kindly brought some to cheer up the children who had returned to Naha! They were so delicious that their eyes almost popped out! The children were surprised and delighted to enjoy the mango time (afterwards, another parent brought us ice cream as a gift, and we received a lot of kind thoughts!)
well-ripened mango
Bite into it whole!
<Churaumi Aquarium>
Due to the typhoon that hit Okinawa's outskirts, we had to stay in Naha for an extra day, so we decided to enjoy Naha together and quickly headed to the Churaumi Aquarium by bus!
The first thing we saw was the dolphin show. The kids were thrilled by the spectacular dolphin jumps, but what really got them excited was splash zone time! Kids who wanted to get wet went to the seats in front of the dolphin tank, known as the "splash zone," and got showered with water as the tank overflowed with dolphin jumps. Naturally, they got soaked all over. They got so wet it was like they were taking a bath with their clothes on. And when the kids got so wet, they started laughing. Their smiles made us smile too. The dolphin show brought so many smiles, and before we knew it, the leader was completely soaked too...
When you think of Churaumi Aquarium, you think of the whale shark. I stopped in my tracks for a while, fascinated by its overwhelming size.
<Kokusai Street on the final day>
On the last day in Naha, each group went to Kokusai Street to buy souvenirs and then had lunch, deciding on a restaurant they wanted to go to! They discussed with their leader and then consulted with the group members they had become friends with and decided on a place together. It was a valuable experience for the children, as they chose it themselves, so it was delicious! Various groups chose Okinawa soba, and others chose a famous local hamburger shop! A satisfying Kokusai Street experience!
＜The End＞
The children spent five days away from their parents, experiencing fun times, anxiety, and unexpected events... They accepted it all and stayed positive and flexible throughout the time. On the return flight, some children were seen crying, saying they didn't want to go home.
This was the trip with the most changes in plans in Campship's history. As a result, I feel the children gained the ability to experience the great outdoors and learn to enjoy change.
I hope these five days were an unforgettable and formative experience for the children. See you again at Campship!
