Izu Odyssey: Forging Confidence and Collaboration in the Adolescent Community

The Odyssey is an important component of the Montessori adolescent curriculum. The twice yearly retreat is an opportunity for Eucalyptus and Keyaki students to grow close as a community, to step beyond the classroom and engage directly with the world. Through these extended trips, adolescents develop independence, resilience, collaboration, practical skills, and a deeper sense of responsibility while navigating unfamiliar environments.

Just as importantly, the Odyssey strengthens the adolescent’s sense of belonging and contribution. Working, traveling, and problem-solving together helps students discover their own capabilities, understand different local communities and environments, and build the confidence and social awareness needed to become independent, compassionate, and responsible members of society.

The Izu Odyssey

The school year began with a 10 day journey to three islands in the Izu archipelago. The kids planned activities and meals, and weathered quite a bit of rain, mosquitos, and other discomforts. Yet, the trip was also filled with onsens, sea turtles, breathtaking hikes and birthday celebrations. The tech-free experience not only forged toughness and resilience, but also compassion and a close community.

The travelers returned to us with countless stories. Here are some of them.

The Journey to Niijima

Everyone on the ferry was so excited to see the Rainbow Bridge. The dock was packed. As we slowly went under, everybody clapped and cheered. –Tristan

On the ferry, people were awake till midnight hanging out on the deck, watching the view, or playing cards in the rooms. We all had so much fun on the ferry. –Evan

The pillow fight was fun, no one got hurt. –Conrad

The First Evening

Yunohama Roten Onsen was one of the most beautiful places we visited on Niijima Island, and seeing its unique stone structure rise above the ocean against the blue sky created a breathtaking and unforgettable view. –Fuh–Meei

On Niijima, there were only three taxi drivers, so it was a little hard to get around. –Ylfa

On our first island, mosquitoes would swarm our tents in the night and maliciously attack us until we looked like we had chicken pox. –Anna

When we were sleeping, some people's sleeping mats were invaded by an arm or leg from their tent partner, and it drastically decreased their space. –Finnley  

Food!

We ate oatmeal and cereal for breakfast during most of the trip. It was a fulfilling meal and everyone was excited when we had a “special” breakfast day and had burnt pancakes. YUMMY.  –Emma 

When making dinner for the community on the Odyssey, we would miss out on the day's activity, and go shopping and cooking instead. –Finnley

We would buy our own food from the local supermarkets and each time we went we would buy enough food to last 25 people, two days. –Hide

We had ice cream after activities that were hard, so it tasted extra good. –Kenny

Two people had their birthday on the same day, so the cooks made an impressive cake, made out of layers of pancakes, with chocolate frosting. –Jason

Sting Rays, Sea Kayaks and Singing

We went sea kayaking as our first activity on Nijima. Joining the sea kayaking experience, we paddled across the clear blue water and enjoyed the beautiful scenery around us. We were excited to see the sea turtles swimming right under our kayak and rocks visible beneath the water. –Junning

At one of the beaches of Nijima there were sting rays. Later some of us decided to sharpen bamboo sticks and hunt the sting rays. Luckily we didn't catch one. –Hugo

At Niijima, one of our planned nighttime activities was playing sardines in the dark. It shifted to talking about a creepy clown in the creepy woods. –Yidi

One of our favorite things to do after dinner was get out the guitar and sing along to very random songs. –Anna

In the Odyssey we played a game called “singing game”. It was so fun! Everyone would say one word, you would pick one and sing a song with that word. When I was playing this game, I missed Oshima a bit. –Chu

Sea Bream in Shikinejima

We went on a ferry going to Shikine Island at 11am. When we arrived at Shikinejima we saw 2 sea turtles and a bunch of fishes. We all got super excited. One of the groups went to Aurora Beach. We went swimming far into the sea and jumped off or rolled down a sand hill. –Evan

We took a day trip to Shikinejima. We split into two groups. One of the groups went fishing in the port of Shikine and we spent around 3 hours fishing and having fun and caught 2 fish.

–Eliott

On the Odyssey, some of us cooked fish that are called sea bream and that fish is famous on the Izu Islands. When we went on a day trip to Shikinejima, we found a poster that they were selling big sea bream there. –Hide

Kozy Tents and Krazy Rain in Kozushima

The cup ramen on the ferry to Kozushima was an experience because it was one of the meals that we didn’t have to cook.

–Tristan

On Kozushima, there were also only a few drivers, though their driving umm… style? It was very – unique. –Ylfa

The big tents in Kozushima were one of the best experiences, because the tents were really big, and you could actually stand up without bumping your head on the tent. –Saya    

Our second island had very cute green beetles that spawned in our bathroom sink. –Anna

It was raining some days, so everything was wet – shoes, bags, and clothes. It was so hard. –Eliott

Because of the landslide warning, we got to stay in the lodge and it was a palace compared to our tents. –Yidi

On Kozushima, near our campsite there was natural spring water which was cold and tasty, so some of us went to the spring every day to fill everyone's water bottles.

–Eliott

Throughout the odyssey, everybody played various types of card games, including: B.S., Capitalism, Avalon, Throwing–Cockroach– Moth–Eating Game, Magic, Speed, Chess, I–don’t–know, and Old Maid. –Saya

Onsen Milk and Massage Chairs

Some people’s favourite part of the whole odyssey was getting to go to the onsen every day. –Riko

The onsen on kozushima island offered four different types of milk. Everyone was totally obsessed with the milk, from their first sip. “My first sip was luxurious.” –Junning.  

The milk was so good that even students who were lactose intolerant indulged in it. –Emma

At the onsen there were four massage chairs but one of them was really nice we called it the Rolls Royce. –Hugo

Hiking up Mt. Tenjo

When we went hiking on Mt. Tenjo, we saw lots of things.

We hiked up the mountain, and down to the onsen. It was tiring going up to the top, but it was beautiful. –Franklin

During the hike on Kozushima, around the summit there was a desert which had lots of cool rocks and patterns in the sand.  

–Hide

On our hike over Mt. Tenjo, our pathways blocked by an over-flooded pond. There were things that stuck out of the pond like two wooden picnic tables, and trees. We were told to never wade in ponds like these with bare feet, so, still wearing our shoes, we waded across. –Ylfa

Akasaki Promenade

Akasaki promenade was a bridge wrapping around a sea river. We were jumping off the diving platforms into the clear blue water for at least an hour. –Rowan

Jumping off the dock was so fun. The moment we hit the cold water a rush flooded our bodies. –Danya

Some of us found a net so we started fishing with the net under the big jumping place. –Zaiden

The drinks at the drink bar at the burger shop were great because nobody had drank any sugary drinks for 10 days.

–Kenny

Quiet Precious Memories

Diving with Turtles

In the odyssey, I can’t believe I got to dive with a turtle. We went diving on the other side of the island in Kozushima. This was the first time I dived with a turtle in my life. The turtle was not that clear but it was still pretty fun. –Chu

Photographs

During our Odyssey, some of us had the opportunity to take photos for the class and capture small moments from our trip. We tried to photograph both scenery and our friends as we explored the area together. Looking though the camera helped us notice and remember the small moments from experience that we never thought about. –Junning

Returning Home

The ferry ride back home was filled with anticipation, and also filled with beautiful views and fresh cold air. –Tristan

A Final Peaceful Moment

During the last moment of the Kozujima Odyssey, we got to choose gifts to bring back for our families and friends. We enjoyed looking around at different local products and thinking about what would be meaningful to share with others. 

After Omiyage some of us stood by the sea for a little bit, feeling the cold wind softly breeze over our faces as the sounds of waves surrounded us. It was a peaceful and memorable moment that we shared as a class. I will always remember the moment. –Junning