Take a chance to get away from the busy city and recharge in the mountains of Japan!
The WTUC Summer Youth Camp welcomes youth ages 12-18 to have fun, make great friendships, and explore new community.
What is this camp about?
The goal of the summer youth camp is to create a venue away from the hassle of the busy life to make friends, explore or discover a new self in the beautiful Nagano nature. It is a great opportunity for the young people to create a memorable summer through the activities during the camp. Although this is organized with Christian elements (interdenominational), we welcome young people who are still unsure about or are exploring faith.
Our program is conducted in English. A certain level of English is needed to be fully engaged but high English proficiency is not required.
When is the camp held?
Check in: Thursday, July 23 at 14:00
Check out: Sunday, July 26 at noon
Where is the camp?
The indoor activities will be at Elan Hotel, Nojiri, Nagano. The outdoor activities will be near the hotel.
Address to Elan Hotel:
16 Nojiri, Shinano, Kamiminochi District, Nagano 389-1303
More information about the location and hotel on the website
Feedback from last year’s camp participants
Liked the most about the camp
“The activities that included Nojiri (lake, nature bathing etc)”
One thing you learned through this camp activity
“...it was hard to do paddling”
“...you don’t always have to be so kind when you pray. For example, if you are confused you can tell God that”
“Faith journeys of others”
Others
“It was tremendously fun! Thanks for making this camp happen…”
“Def will join again”
“I loved (almost) everything!”
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Arrive at venue by 14:00 (contact the organizers if you need a ride from Tokyo)
15:00 - 16:00 Praise songs by Darren Mok
16:00 - 17:00 Games and shower
17:30 - 18:30 Dinner
19:00 - 19:05 Songs
19:05 - 19:25 Keynote message 1 (4Hs in Koinonia) by Pastor Jonathan Oh
19:30 - 20:00 Group Discussion (youth led discussion)
20:10 - 21:30 Shower and games
22:00 Lights out (mentors have a short 10-min devotion/reflection)
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7:30 - 8:30 Wake up and get ready
8:30 - 9:15 Breakfast
9:30 - 9:45 Gather for morning devotion (with respective mentors)
10:00 - 10:05 Songs
10:05 - 10:25 Keynote message 2 (4Hs in Koinonia) by Pastor Jonathan Oh
10:30 - 11:00 Group Discussion (facilitated by adult volunteers)
11:15 - 12:30 Workshop 1- farming or individual sailing lesson by Ruth or Joel Ingulsrud
12:40 - 13:30 Lunch
14:00 - 16:30 Outdoor Activity - water activities (SUP, sailing, swimming etc)
16:30 - 17:30 Break or shower
18:00 Dinner
19:00 - 19:05 Songs
19:05 - 19:45 Workshops 2 - puppeteering by Ruth Ingulsrud
20:00 Games and Shower
21:00 Star watching (pending weather)
22:00 Lights out (mentors have a short 10-min devotion/reflection)
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7:30 - 8:30 Wake up and get ready
8:30 - 9:15 Breakfast
9:30 - 9:45 Gather for morning devotion (with respective mentors)
10:00 - 10:05 Songs
10:05 - 10:25 Workshop 3: Water Safety (all attendants) by Adam Carlson
10:30 - 11:30 Make wonton and gyoza together
11:30 Lunch
13:00 Lake activities (SUP, sailing, swimming etc))
16:00 Change
16:30 Dinner - BBQ
18:30 Gather for Fireworks
19:00 Watch Nojiri Fireworks
20:00 Return to hotel, shower and games (facilitated by adult volunteers)
22:00 Lights out (mentors have a short 10-min devotion/reflection with subgroups)
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7:30 - 8:30 Wake up and get ready to check out
8:30 - 9:30 Breakfast, clean up and pack up
9:30 -11:00 Forest walk by Luyi and/or Paul
What are activities included in the program?
Program (subject to change depending on weather)
FAQs
What kind of workshops are there?There are four workshops during the camp (subject to change depending on the weather). Join your groups to learn about puppeteering, farming, sailing, water safety from our experts.
Workshop Leaders:
Ruth Ingulsrud (Puppeteering): puppeteer, sailor, farmer
Joel Ingulsrud (Sailing and Farming): sailor, farmer
Adam Carlson (Water Safety & Health): life guard instructor, PE teacher
Who can join?Anyone between age 12 to 18 can join. For some activities, we will divide the youths into age specific groups. If you are younger than 12 and would like to participate, please write an email to us at youthcamp@wtuc.net.
For parents, if you wish to come to Nojiri too, you are welcome to spend a nice holiday while the kids are with us. However, we do ask that you find a place to stay around the area instead of staying with the kids in the same hotel. We suggest that you book your place of stay early because the camp is during the Nojiri firework weekend and lodging gets booked out fairly early. If for any reasons, you would like to stay at the same hotel, please email us at youthcamp@wtuc.net.
What do I need to bring to camp?Sufficient change of clothes
Beach items (floats, life jackets, water shoes, swimwear, goggles etc, beach towels, towels),
Rain gear
Bug repellent
Sunscreen, hat, sun glasses
Torchlight
Toiletries and personal items
First aid items
Personal medicines
Indoor shoes/slippers if preferred (hotel has slippers)
Comfortable shoes for walking and hiking
Safeguard form (needs to be completed before attendance)
How much does it cost?The cost is 50,000 yen per person. This includes a hotel room (2 persons in one room) for 3 nights, all meals till Sunday morning, all indoor and outdoor activities. The cost does not include transportation.
Siblings can receive a 50% discount.
For anyone who would like financial aid, please email us at youthcamp@wtuc.net.
How do I get there?By train: The closest station is Kurohime Station. From Tokyo Station, you would need to transfer at Nagano Station to the local train if you take the Shinkansen. More information about a pickup at Kurohime Station will be sent to you after you register.
By bus: There is a bus from Shinjuku that goes to Nagano. It takes about 4 hours by bus. You would need to book early because the tickets can sell out fairly quickly.
By car: The exit on the highway is Kurohime IC. Please use your car navigation to find Elan Hotel.
Carpool: If you would like to carpool, please email us at youthcamp@wtuc.net We will let you know when and where to meet (most likely we meet at West Tokyo Union Church parking lot).
Who are we at West Tokyo Union Church?
We are West Tokyo Union Church, a welcoming community that has been in Mitaka, Tokyo for 60 years. Learn more at the link below.
Key Organizing Members
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Ann Tang
Steering Committee Chair
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Luyi Chen
Organizing Member
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Misae Urata
Steering Committee Secretary & Membership Coordinator
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Betsy Terada
Steering Committee Worship Coordinator
Who is the keynote speaker?
Our keynote speaker for "The 4Hs in Koinonia" is Rev. Jonathan Oh.
Rev. Jonathan Oh is from the United States. He studied political science and meteorology at university. After earning his master's degree in academic ministries, he was ordained as a Presbyterian minister. Jonathan enjoys being involved in many things. He likes building cool tools on computers for people to use, studying and forecasting the weather (he's on TV!), working out, and playing music. He also loves serving as the pastor at West Tokyo Union Church. Being a dad and husband keeps him busy, but he is thankful for all his roles.
Sign Up for Youth Camp Today! See you soon.
