Camptivated: Summer Camp Report

Creativity and Community

The Coconut Class kicked off summer camp with a week full of fun and creativity. It was a special time as the Banyan and Pine children came together in the same classroom. While a bit shy at first, they quickly bonded and began enjoying their summer adventures side by side. The week was packed with exciting activities including crafting, making icy sweets, Ikebana flower arranging, vibrant outdoor painting, and daily pool time, the clear favorite! 

The fun continued in the second week with summer postcard making, a special dance class with Lena Murata, more Ikebana and vase crafting, and a Tanabata celebration featuring bamboo decorations and Tanabata somen cooking on Thursday.

Music and Movement 

The Ocean Class students have been enjoying an active and engaging summer camp full of creativity, movement, and fun in the sun. Each week featured plenty of water fun in the garden, with children cooling off in their swimsuits and sharing lots of laughter. They also explored their musical side with ukulele classes led by Xuemin and got moving during energetic dance and gymnastics sessions with Ayuka and Daijiro. 

The class took exciting field trips to Shiokaze Park in Odaiba and the Eric Carle play park, where they explored and played freely in nature and art-themed spaces. Other highlights included cooking sessions, a sports day with Alejandro, and a peaceful Ikebana flower arrangement activity. Whether running through parks, playing music, or splashing in the water, the children fully embraced the summer with joy, friendship, and a strong sense of independence.

Shumai and Shimizu

The Younger Elementary children kicked off summer camp with energy and curiosity, diving into a wide range of exciting activities both on and off campus. Camp began with orientation games, baking delicious rice flour cupcakes, and enjoying recess at Arisugawa Park. Midweek, they explored the Kiyoken Shumai Factory, where they learned how dumplings are made and even got to taste some! Their second field trip took them to Kasai Rinkai Marine Park for hands-on tidepool fieldwork, followed by a visit to the Tokyo Sea Life Park. 

The fun continued with music, gymnastics, and glass vase decorating for Ikebana. The second week was just as action-packed, featuring wall climbing, dance, crafts, and cooking colorful ocean jelly. The adventure continues with more field trips, including water play at Shimizu Park Aquaventure and an exploration of the Food and Agriculture Museum and Baji Koen Equestrian Park. The children have been having a blast building friendships, discovering new interests, and making the most of their summer together.

Independence and Imagination

The Older Elementary summer camp has been filled with creativity, independence, and joyful connection. The children have been wonderfully self-directed, choosing and engaging in a wide range of hands-on projects such as making bun bun koma spinners, building cardboard forts, crafting with clay and papier-mâché, and even whipping up DIY ice cream in a bag. 

Indoors, they’ve enjoyed card games, card tower challenges, magic tricks, and music, while recess on the roof often turns into playful water fights. Weekly athletic activities and memorable outings including climbing at Spider Gym, adventuring at the Tsukushino athletic course, exploring the Tama River, and visiting the Railway Museum and the Science and Technology Museum have added to the excitement. 

A highlight for many was playing in the river, searching for fish and crabs and enjoying nature-based games. The group has bonded exceptionally well, with children mixing across age groups and forming new friendships. It’s been especially heartwarming to see our new Willow students connect with older ones and with Mona, our Eucalyptus counselor, who has been a thoughtful and inspiring presence.

–Maria Hovi