"I can go by myself now!"
With these words, the child continued down the snowy slope without looking back. The leader watched from a slight distance, observing their receding figure.
These are the words that naturally came from the children's mouths on the final day of the 4-day Zao Ski Camp. The growth of the children over the several days of the camp was remarkable. The children grew so rapidly that the leaders' concern sometimes turned into excessive fussing. There, a child who had relied on a leader's hand to stand on the snow on the first day was now trying to move forward on their own initiative.
From December 26, 2025, we held the "Conquer Zao Mountain 4-day Ski Camp" at Zao Onsen Ski Resort in Yamagata Prefecture. A total of 58 people participated: 48 children and 10 leaders (8 student leaders, 1 adult leader, and 1 support staff).
The Zao Ski Camp started as a large-scale program, but the ages and ski experience of the participants varied. Some children were visiting a snowy mountain for the first time, while others had extensive skiing experience. What they all had in common, however, was the opportunity to spend four days with friends and challenge themselves.
The Camp Ship Academy ski camp divides participants into living groups and ski groups based on their ski level, with leaders supporting both daily life and skiing. While prioritizing safety, we were able to spend four intensive days that consciously incorporated situations where children think, choose, and act for themselves.
【Day 1: Starting with Encounters and Anxiety】
The first day began with an early morning meeting and a long journey. Many of the children were meeting for the first time, and I expected to see tense expressions on the Shinkansen... but they quickly warmed up to each other, becoming friends in no time.
Despite the leaders' worries about leaving their parents and the unfamiliar long journey, the children enjoyed word hunts and snack time. When they arrived at the Shinkansen's disembarkation station, some voices exclaimed, "Huh? We're already here?" It seems the journey was so enjoyable and went by so quickly that they didn't feel the length of the ride.
From the station, we traveled to the hotel by bus. Upon arriving at Zao Onsen Ski Resort, the first thing everyone exclaimed in unison was, "Snow!"
The children were incredibly excited by the stronger-than-expected blizzard. The leaders chuckled at the sudden blizzard. Carrying luggage from the bus to the inn was a struggle, and just when I thought it would take a while, a group of boys, mainly from elementary to middle school, shouted, "If we all do it together, it'll be over quickly! Let's go!" and rushed out into the cold snow to help the leaders. Seeing this, the girls and younger boys also eagerly joined in, saying, "I want to help too!" I was surprised by their teamwork from the very first day. Thank you, everyone!
After lunch, we held an orientation titled "Camp Ship Check-in." We explained the promises and safety aspects of Camp Ship and confirmed the living groups and ski groups. Some children who had been to Camp Ship before remembered the rules well.
〈Rules at Camp Ship〉
- 助け合い Help each other
- いかなる暴力も禁止 No Violence
- 働かざる者食うべからず No work, No food
Finally, it was time to ski! For children with little to no skiing experience, just seeing the equipment was a moment of heightened tension, but the coaches from Zao Onsen Ski Resort and the leaders helped them put on their gear and went through each step, which gradually relaxed their expressions. The goal of skiing for this day was to get used to the feel of the snow, and we kept the duration short. Although some children were afraid of falling, having the shared understanding that "today's goal is to get used to the snow" made for a gentle start.
Dinner on the first day was a huge hit. An impromptu drawing competition was held, where each living group collaborated to complete one drawing. The theme was "Santa Claus," and the winning team received the right to have a snack party. Of course, the team leaders also participated. From pure-hearted Santas to very unique Santas, the artistic sense of many teams was tested, and the whole event was filled with laughter. The winning team was the Santa Claus drawn by the older girls' team (top left in the picture)! I feel like this time greatly strengthened the bond and teamwork of the group.
【Day 2: Challenges and Small Successes】
The first morning for everyone together. Here, the "Leadership Award" was announced. The Leadership Award is given to children who the leaders judge to have actively demonstrated leadership in group life, or conversely, supported others from a less prominent position, showing activity from various perspectives! Children participating in Camp Ship for the first time learned about this award and their eyes sparkled. We look forward to everyone's efforts and leadership starting today!
On the second day, full-scale ski lessons began. Divided by level, participants practiced according to their respective challenges. In the beginner group, many children struggled with basic movements such as stopping and turning, but through repeated attempts, small successes emerged, such as "I stopped by myself" or "I skied without falling."
In the intermediate and advanced groups, there were instances where participants confronted their fear of speed and steepness. The leaders not only offered technical advice but also made an effort to demonstrate an attitude of "it's okay to make mistakes," respecting the children's decisions to challenge themselves.
In the evening, we finally held the eagerly anticipated night skiing session! After thorough discussions with the leaders of each assigned group, a comprehensive assessment of each child's physical strength and ski level was made to decide participation, and off we went to night skiing!
Since night skiing was limited to children who could ski reasonably well on their own, we emphasized a certain degree of freedom, setting the number of runs and the finish time, allowing them to freely ski on the slopes in front of the inn. It was a unique experience compared to skiing during the day, with fewer people and a special atmosphere, and everyone was very satisfied.
In the evening, we set aside time for reflection, sharing what we had accomplished that day and what we found challenging. More and more children became aware of their own growth, and some were inspired by listening to others' stories.
【Day 3: Growing Sense of Camaraderie and Autonomy】
On the third day, significant changes in daily life became apparent. We saw more instances that indicated a sense of camaraderie, such as groups preparing smoothly in the morning and children calling out to each other. On the ski slope, too, children were observed naturally waiting for and encouraging their friends who had fallen, strengthening the group's cohesion.
There was also remarkable improvement in skiing technique, with many children able to consistently perform movements they couldn't do the day before. The positive attitude of actively challenging themselves with what they couldn't do the previous day is not something to be taken for granted.
Some children had scary experiences falling. Yet, during this ski camp, almost none of them complained, declared "I can't do it anymore!", or made negative remarks. It was very impressive to see so many children facing themselves positively.
They were not just relying on the leaders but also thinking for themselves, like "Next time, I'll pay attention to this," showing signs of growing autonomy.
This day was a test day for both the morning and afternoon (for those who wished to take it). Perhaps because of that, everyone looked a bit nervous at times, but in the end, it seems they were able to enjoy skiing all the way through.
For the accompanying leaders, this day also felt like a memorable one. Their role shifted from giving instructions to supporting the children's decisions, providing an opportunity to reconsider how they engaged with them.
On the evening of the 3rd day, we held a fun event called "Camp Ship Party"! It was packed with activities, including competing for victory in games that required teamwork, and a gift ceremony for those celebrating their 5th and 10th Camp Ship participation anniversaries.
What was most memorable was celebrating a friend's birthday, which fell on the last day of the ski camp. When everyone learned it was their birthday tomorrow, they all immediately started singing "Happy Birthday." The leaders didn't prompt them to sing; naturally, a celebratory atmosphere emerged, and cries of "Congratulations!" filled the air.
Up until then, we had focused on the teamwork of each group and the individual growth of each child, but at this moment, I strongly felt the unity of the entire Zao Ski Camp program.
And then, the last night skiing. Originally, night skiing on the third day was not planned, but at the strong request of the children, we decided to ski for a set time and number of runs. For this night skiing as well, each child made the decision to participate after thorough consultation with the leader of their assigned group. Let's enjoy the last night skiing to the fullest!
【Day 4: The Final Day with Confidence】
The last day was a day to confirm the achievements made so far. Many children were able to ski distances and slopes that they couldn't have imagined on the first day, realizing their own "I did it!" They also expressed their gratitude to the coaches at Zao Ski Resort who had helped them.
The 4 days, which felt both long and short, came to an end, and we were back in Tokyo in no time. At the closing ceremony, the leaders spoke to each child individually, specifically conveying the growth they had observed over the four days. The children listened intently, sometimes looking shy, but also showing confident expressions. The Leadership Award was also announced here.
Although there was a sense of reluctance to part, I believe everyone was able to return home with a sense of accomplishment.
【Summary: What the 4 Days Left Behind】
Running a large camp with 58 people was by no means easy. I am filled with gratitude for all those who were involved in this winter's Zao Ski Camp: the children who decided to participate in the 4-day camp, the parents who sent them off, the staff of Zao Ski School, and the operating members, including the leaders, who responded flexibly. Thank you all very much.
The children not only acquired ski skills but also developed a sense of responsibility and a challenging attitude in group living. For the leaders, it was also four days where they could engage with each child individually and witness their growth firsthand. It was an experience that brought many lessons, even for those in a supporting role.
We hope that these 4 days at the Zao Ski Camp were a truly meaningful time for everyone involved.
