The first event of the 2025 winter season was a 3-day, 2-night ski program in Shiga Kogen, Nagano Prefecture, held from December 21st to 23rd! The ski camp, which saw friends who had just started their winter vacation participate with excitement, was filled with smiles and joyful voices for three days.

Program Highlights

Day 1 | To Shiga Kogen Ski Resort, Nagano Prefecture

Day 1 of the program began at the group meeting point at Tokyo Station! Participants met new friends and leaders! A quick photo was taken at the meeting point. You can still see a hint of nervousness.

 

After saying goodbye to their families who came to see them off, they immediately boarded the Shinkansen. After stowing their luggage, conversations with new friends sitting next to them blossomed.The tension from the meeting disappeared as they ate snacks together, played games, and went on a Campship Word Hunt, each enjoying themselves in their own way, which was very impressive. Their hearts beat with anticipation for the 3-day, 2-night adventure that was about to begin.

After arriving at Iiyama Station, we took a bus to Shiga Kogen.As soon as we left the station, a blanket of snow welcomed us, and we could feel our spirits lift.

After arriving at Shiga Kogen, we refueled for the highly anticipated skiing! Curry after a long journey is truly exceptional. Many friends asked for second and third helpings, and the leaders also ate heartily, not to be outdone.

After filling our stomachs and hearts with curry, it was time for Campship check-in.We all reviewed the Campship rules to ensure a pleasant three-day stay! We also heard introductions from the leaders who would be enjoying this trip with everyone.

After that, it was the long-awaited skiing time! After finishing the fitting, we jumped into the snow.Both friends who were skiing for the first time and those who hadn't skied in a while were excited by the first snow of the season.

Playing in the snow after skiing is also a highlight of Campship's ski program.

This time, our accommodation was a ski lodge right next to the slopes! Snow stretched out before our eyes. There were sled races on the slopes after the lifts stopped, making snowmen, and some leaders even brought mandarins and snacks to bury in the natural freezer.

After a delightful time playing outside, as it grew dark, we returned to the hotel for a bath, dinner, and some free time. Some children couldn't stop chatting with their new friends, others tried making friendship bracelets with leaders, and some even made towel swords by swinging wet towels in the sub-zero temperatures – everyone got to do what they wanted!

Day 2 | Skiing & Snow Play

The outdoors seemed lively early in the morning.Peeking out, what I saw were little polar bears diving into the fresh snow!

Of course, these weren't polar bears, but rather the Campship Polar Academy in action! This activity involves waking up early and surrendering yourself to the fresh snow, feeling like a polar bear. The children, who thoroughly enjoyed the softness of the fluffy snow, were smiling before 7 AM!

On the second day, we enjoyed skiing thoroughly both in the morning and afternoon.The leaders were very happy to hear comments like, "I've gotten so much better and can do it now!"

The intermediate and advanced teams headed to the summit of Japan's highest ski resort (Yokoteyama ski slope) and admired the snow-covered scenery of the Japanese Alps from the top. The 2300-meter summit was above the clouds! Cheers erupted from the children, captivated by the vast silver world spreading before them.

After a full day of skiing, we made oshiruko (sweet red bean soup). To make delicious oshiruko, we divided into groups to toast mochi, measure water, and open the red bean paste, working together.The hot oshiruko warmed our bodies after a day in the snow.This kind of collaborative work is unique to Campship! It was warm and delicious!

After warming up with oshiruko, we played Capture the Flag, a wide game highly popular among Campship participants, on the open slopes after the lifts had closed!Teams earnestly discussed their strategies to win.

The evening of the second day was the highly anticipated Campship Party!For this fun event, we played Fukawarai (a game where players try to assemble a face blindfolded) using the leaders' faces! Divided into living groups, they were blindfolded and tried to complete the face by following their teammates' instructions. It was a simple game, but it didn't go as smoothly as expected! What were the results of each group's teamwork...? (You can feel the efforts of each team from the photos!)

The venue was filled with the laughter of many children. The party was so lively that some children were holding their stomachs and rolling on the floor from laughing too much, bringing the second day to a close!

 

Day 3 | Skiing & Return to Tokyo

The final day was also blessed with clear skies, allowing us to enjoy the slopes one last time.

By the final day, even friends who were skiing for the first time were gliding smoothly, and we could hear them calling out "Look, leaders!" with excitement. Seeing everyone enjoying skiing with sparkling smiles was truly heartwarming, and the leaders felt a tinge of regret as the program drew to a close.

On the final day, skiing concluded in the morning, and with a lingering sense of reluctance, we left the slopes. After lunch, we departed the hotel and stopped at a souvenir shop to choose mementos for family and friends!

After souvenir shopping, we finally boarded the Shinkansen and headed back to Tokyo. We spent our last moments with the friends we had made on this trip.

Fun times fly by quickly. Before we knew it, we were back at Tokyo Station.
Returning to the same group meeting point as the start, with a collective shout of "See you again!", friends and leaders bid farewell, and each returned to their families.

The children who were nervous at first were all smiles when they left! I'm sure they'll have many memories to share when they get home.

And so, the 3-day, 2-night ski camp came to an end.I hope these eventful three days are etched into everyone's memories.

See you again at Campship Academy!