Day 1
The Campship Academy Shiga Kogen Ski Program kicked off in the crisp air of the New Year. The setting for this trip, reached by bullet train, was the Yokoteyama Ski Resort in Shiga Kogen, Nagano Prefecture. As it was New Year's, the meeting point at Tokyo Station was not crowded, and participants were able to meet each other quickly. Some children chatted excitedly about the snow that had fallen in Tokyo the day before, others rejoiced at reuniting with old friends, and some were itching to start skiing. Their excitement and anticipation were palpable even at the meeting point.
Once on the bullet train, Campship's original "word search" began. It was impressive to see the participants naturally calling out to each other and cooperating to find answers from the brochure. Engrossed in the activity, they arrived at their destination in no time. The snowy landscape visible from the platform immediately drew the participants' hearts into the snow country.
From the station to the ski resort, we traveled by bus. Due to the blizzard from the previous day, the town and mountains were completely covered in white. "I've never seen so much snow!" could be heard from all over.
Upon arrival at the ski resort, we had lunch at Hotel New Yokote, our accommodation, and then the long-awaited skiing finally began. The temperature was a harsh -10 degrees Celsius, but the children enjoyed the skiing they had been waiting for with their respective coaches. Seeing the children skiing again after a year, everyone enjoyed sliding down at their own pace.
During their free time after skiing, the children enjoyed various activities with their leaders, such as card games, making friendship bracelets, and treasure hunting. Some even got engrossed in a unique snow country activity: swinging a wet towel outside to freeze it instantly. Day 1 was a very fulfilling time.
Day 2
On the morning of the second day, a crowd gathered outside. This was the "Polar Bear Club," a Campship tradition where only early risers could participate. When we jumped into the soft, untrodden snow, there was so much fresh snow that our bodies were completely buried. Attracted by the exhilaration of leaping into the pure white snowy landscape, many participants gathered every day.
During skiing this day, many groups went all the way to the summit. The cloudy sky had cleared completely, making for perfect weather. The view from the summit was so stunning that some exclaimed, "It's the best I've ever seen!" We encountered an unforgettable sight right at the start of the new year.
After the ski lesson, it was free time. We split into two teams: one for making oshiruko (sweet red bean soup) and one for playing in the snow. For the oshiruko making, the children took turns preparing the mochi and dishes. This was also a part of learning about communal living. The snow play team enjoyed building igloos, snowball fights, and sledding, experiencing the joys of snow beyond just skiing.
Afterward, everyone played "Capture the Flag" using the entire ski slope. Divided into two teams, the goal of this game was to protect your own base while trying to capture the opposing team's flag. How to attack, who would be the decoy, how to rescue captured teammates – strategy meetings naturally began, and each team developed completely different fighting styles. Running full throttle on the snow, calling out to each other, and sometimes revising strategies after making mistakes. Each of these moments was filled with "the experience of thinking and challenging with friends" that was more valuable than just winning or losing.
On the evening of the second day, we held a Campship party. We played games and shared snacks while reflecting on the events of the ski camp with our fellow participants. It was very impressive to hear them articulate their challenges and growth, saying things like, "The snow play at that time was the most fun," or "I was scared at first, but now I can ski."
Day 3
The final morning was for one last ski! After enjoying skiing right up until the last minute, we had lunch at the lodge and then boarded the bus home. We expected everyone to be asleep on the bus due to the exhaustion of the past three days, but when the music was turned on, a big singalong began, and they remained energetic until the very end. After buying souvenirs at the station and boarding the bullet train, the journey back to everyday life gradually began. Nevertheless, the train was filled with voices saying, "I don't want to go home yet," and "I want to come again!", and discussing the memorable events.
Finally
Campship Academy's ski camp isn't just about improving skiing skills. It's about connecting with friends, thinking, challenging oneself, and discovering one's own ways to enjoy the extraordinary environment of the snowy mountains. We believe that this process itself becomes a foundational experience for children.
The challenges, successes, and time spent with friends within this short period will surely be remembered at unexpected moments in their daily lives. We hope that this Shiga Kogen/Yokoteyama Ski Program has become one of those foundational experiences for the participating children, allowing them to feel even a little proud of their own efforts. All the leaders look forward to reuniting with them, seeing how much they've grown.
