Even though the camp is only a few days long, they are action packed. We have a variety of activities, and they are all focused on improving your English.
Over the 4 days, you'll have lots of opportunities to chat with Erika-sensei, Sonja-sensei, and Rina-sensei i and learn with other native English speakers. In addition, you'll be able to practice English communication with your other classmates. Of course, all while enjoying the beauty of Kakunodate!
There are a few things that you need to bring with you before coming. Remember, a more detailed list can be found in the ‘before you go’ section.
You’ll arrive around lunch. So, we’ll have some food and drink ready for you, because what’s better than eating and drinking? Our English practice will begin right away though! Although you'll still be in Kakunodate, this trip will seem like a trip to an English speaking country! Don’t forget your English survival handbook!
We will have a few activities to get to know each other. This will be fun, and designed so that everyone can practice English and meet their fellow campers!
Time permitting, we may be able to have a quick walk around outside before dinner.
Dinnertime - we’ll have a delicious meal with some delicious local specialties from Akita. As with everything else though, you’ll be in an English immersion environment. Eating and learning!
In the evening, we will have time to have a quick show and tell, and see what everyone has brought from home. There may be time for a quick and fun game before heading off to bed as well!
Day 2 starts with a casual breakfast. Once more, Erika-sensei is your waiter, so even if you're sleepy, you still need to use your English!
After breakfast, it’s time to go explore the wonders of Kakunodate. We have picked out a few spots to see that are close-by. Not only will we experience some interesting parts of Kakunodate culture, but we will also see why this town is one of the most beautiful in Japan.
Specifically, we will take a walk in the Samurai house street and learn more about the culture back then and how Samurai houses were built. If we have time, we will also visit famous shops selling miso, soy sauce, and pickles, and enjoy tasting and shop tours! Erika-sensei will prepare some questions about Japanese food that foreign tourists are likely to ask, and it will be your task to answer them in English!
Afternoon: Sightseeing at Lake Tazawa and Nyuto Onsen Village
We visit Lake Tazawa, the deepest lake in Japan, and the famous Nyuto Onsen Village, full of secluded hot springs. If you want, you can take a soak in the hot springs yourself! We also get to meet some Akita dogs.
After an action-packed day, we’ll have a delicious dinner.
Together with the local native speakers, we will enjoy kiritanpo hot pot, which is a famous Akita delicacy. After dinner, we will have some fun activities using English, and then we’re off to bed to get ready for a new, fun-filled day.
Morning: Communication with international students
We spend a day together with the local international students. We interview them to learn more about their home countries and take part in a makizushi class, after which we enjoy lunch together!
In the afternoon, we embark on a sake brewery tour in English. American brewery staff will explain how sake is made, and after that, we get to enjoy sake tasting.
Night: Farewell dinner
We enjoy a farewell dinner comprised of local delicacies together with the local native speakers.
The last day of the camp is for celebration. We’ll have something special for breakfast, and Erika-sensei will present some awards to the best campers.
In addition, every student will have a chance to share their favorite memory, and what they have learned from the camp.
Then, it’s back home! But don’t forget, we will be holding another camp in the future, to share another great location in Japan, and learn native English at the same time.
(Depending on length of camp, we could also include another outside activity as well on the last day)
With this rare boot camp style learning experience, we hope you gain some knowledge at least required to have the most fun! To achieve this, we cam up with programs where you can gain some knowledge before joining our camp. It's free contents so don't hesitate to sign up even if you are still unsure whether to join!