Why did you decide to include your child in an overnight nature experience?
My older brother doesn't do well in new environments, and he's not the type to take the initiative and do things on his own . He always says, "It's such a pain." I feel he's getting to a more difficult age. He's entering sixth grade, so I wanted him to develop the skills to take care of younger children, develop independence, and develop leadership.
My younger brother loves people, and he proactively decided that he wanted to go alone. Living in Tokyo limits the things he can do to play (for example, playing ball in the park), so I wanted him to spend time freely in nature and develop a richer heart through a formative experience.
Both brothers use PCs and iPads frequently, so they find the natural experience beneficial as a form of digital detox.
Why did you choose Campship Academy?
- Each program has plenty of activities for children to enjoy (fun parties, snow hut building, making sweet red bean soup, etc.)
- The peace of mind of knowing your child's daily updates are posted on Instagram
- The peace of mind that comes from knowing that there are enough leaders for the number of children.
What kind of conversation did you have with your child when they first joined?
The first time my brother went, he went alone, without knowing anyone, so as the departure date approached he became more and more anxious, saying things like, "Maybe I should just not go after all." As a parent, I was worried that he would come back having had a bad time (although in the end he had a great time).
My younger brother was more excited than anxious, and he enjoyed preparing for the event. He practiced washing his hair by himself and made sure he could do everything by himself.
How did your child do after the program ended?
The first time my brother participated, he was quite nervous when he set off, but when I asked him what he thought of it after he returned, he said with a beaming smile, "I want to go again." When he participated the second time, he was surprised himself, but he received the Leadership Award, which seems to have given him a lot of confidence. I couldn't have imagined it from the first time, but I could feel him growing, thinking that maybe he was able to take action for someone, even just a little. By the time he participated the second time, he had even made new friends and made plans to attend the program next summer.
My younger brother has participated about four times so far, and each time he comes home feeling much stronger. Up until now he was the type to worry about small details for too long, but now he's become more manly, saying things like, "Oh well," and "It'll be fine," in a good way. I'm always moved by the letters from the leaders, many of which say things like, "Thanks to you, the leader was a great help. You're always so helpful." This also makes me happy as a parent, as I can see my brother's growth. My younger brother also previously said, "I want to be a leader someday."
Please tell us if there are any aspects of Campship Academy that you feel are uniquely good.
The nature experience programs and the abundance of activities (fun) that you don't normally get to experience are so diverse that even parents will want to go.
Also, when I watch the children, I feel that the presence of a leader is very important. I feel that the fun is doubled thanks to the presence of older brothers and sisters, whom the children do not encounter at school. For the younger brother, he has older brothers and sisters who he can rely on and play with a lot. I feel that it has a slightly psychological, therapeutic effect, especially for the older brother, who is at a difficult age.
