CGK’s First Camping Event in Shizuoka

We held CGK’s first overnight camping event on Saturday, November 2 and Sunday, November 3.
 
The idea began in May of this year, when we visited TARPtoTARP, a camping-themed cafe that had opened near CGK, to introduce ourselves.
 
At our first meeting with the owner, Suyama, we began talking that very day about giving the children a chance to experience camping. Suyama then introduced us to Sato and 税所, who became our main supporters in planning, preparing and running this event. That was how our preparations began.
 
None of the CGK staff had camping experience, so we first visited possible campsites. The two sites were very different: one, Ohnoji Family Campground, had wide grassy areas, while the other was paved with concrete except where tents were pitched. We chose Ohnoji, hoping its natural setting and open lawn would make it easier for everyone to spend time together.
 
Then the day of the camp arrived.
As soon as the children reached the campsite, they burst into excited runs across the grass.
Our first activity was putting up the tents. The outdoor brand Nordisk helped us with tent rentals. Pitching a tent was new not only to the children but also to the adults, including CGK staff. Fortunately, experienced camping enthusiasts joined us and showed us what to do. The children eagerly hammered in pegs, and once the tents were ready, ran around inside, exclaiming, “It’s so big!” Even as an adult, I found being inside the tent exciting.
Nordisk also led an activity making bracelets from the cord used for tents. This was a little difficult for the children, and some lost interest and stopped partway through, but the adults who stayed became absorbed in weaving. That quiet, focused time was valuable too.

Everyone helped with the evening barbecue. Parents took the lead in grilling the meat, and we also smoked nuts and potato chips that participants had brought.
After sunset, the surroundings became completely dark. Even finding ingredients was difficult, but it helped us experience just how dark it can be in nature.
The final evening activity was the campfire. We added kindling to the firewood the children had arranged during daylight. They seemed to have played with the wood afterward, because it had fallen apart without us noticing, so we rebuilt it! At first, however, the fire would not catch. An enthusiastic child from the oldest class brought over a fire-blowing tube and blew toward the kindling. The fire finally caught and soon grew into a large flame.
(At other moments too, this child became fascinated with blowing air to make the fire grow.)
Next came a favorite activity: making s’mores. CGK’s two oldest Preschool classes had already tried this once in a camping lesson with TARPtoTARP. The fun of s’mores is getting the marshmallow toasted just right, then sandwiching it between crackers with chocolate. “It’s delicious! I want to make another!” the children said, coming back again and again. Even when they were full, they kept toasting marshmallows, saying, “I’m making this one for Mom!”
 

This was the point when our day-trip participants said goodbye. Even in just one day, they had enjoyed many new experiences.
  
Those staying overnight went to the campsite’s open-air bath. It warmed our chilled bodies and felt wonderful.
 
After the bath, the children continued looking at the campfire or chatting together in a tent. Gradually, they grew sleepy and returned to their own tents.
  
Then it was time for the adults. Over drinks, we were able to talk at leisure about the children and other topics we do not usually discuss at school.
 
The second day brought more beautiful weather, with a magnificent view of Mount Fuji right in front of us. The morning was a little chilly, but we enjoyed the refreshing outdoor air while eating hot dogs and pancakes for breakfast.
 

After our enjoyable camp, we took down the tents one by one, and it was time to say goodbye.
It was my first camping experience too, and my reaction was, “That was fun! I want to do it again!” Unlike a well-equipped indoor space or facility, living outdoors brings many inconveniences, although this campsite did have toilets and baths. Yet I felt that these very inconveniences are what make camping valuable: they encourage us to think and find creative solutions. I could appreciate that because I had experienced it firsthand.
Camping in a tent can feel like a big step for beginners. With help from people who knew camping well, however, even first-timers could enjoy it. Some parents may think, “I’d like my child to try camping, but doing it on my own feels difficult.” Having experienced campers there makes it easier to join in. We hope to continue this event so that children can learn and experience many things through camping.

With Thanks to Our Supporters
Suyama (owner of TARPtoTARP), together with their wife and two children
Sato (main camp-event supporter)
税所 (main camp-event supporter)
Playoutside (video filming), together with their wife and Kotetsu
Kimoto
Atsushi and Kotono
Yui
Miwa from Nordisk (tent rental and setup support)
  
Thank you for helping create these experiences for the children.
We could not have organized this camp with CGK staff alone. Thanks to all of you, it became possible, and we are sincerely grateful.