Cultural Exchange Camp with Children's Cafeteria

We recently wrapped up our very first co-hosted overnight cultural exchange camp, held in partnership with a local kodomo shokudo and several wonderful organizations.

In total, more than 25 children from elementary school to high school joined the camp, together with volunteers from nearly a dozen different countries. For many of the children, this was their first time interacting so closely with people from such diverse cultural backgrounds, offering a powerful opportunity to expand their perspectives and horizons. Most of the children who participated regularly attend local kodomo shokudo programs.

🏕️ Day 1

Day 1 began with lively icebreaker activities, where children and volunteers connected through games from around the world. Laughter quickly filled the space, creating a sense of comfort and belonging from the very start.

In the afternoon, we moved outdoors for a nature exploration activity. Children were encouraged to use their curiosity and investigation skills to discover natural materials such as pinecones and leaves, engaging with their surroundings in a hands on and playful way.

As evening arrived, everyone gathered to enjoy a warm and delicious curry dinner 🍛, sharing food and conversation together.

The highlight of the night was the Candle Fire activity, a beautiful tradition of the camp facility. With the room softly glowing in candlelight, children and volunteers played games such as Silent Library, Swedish Darumasan ga Koronda, and the classic Duck Duck Goose, which quickly became the crowd favorite 🐥. The evening ended with smiles, laughter, and a strong sense of connection.

🌅 Day 2

Day 2 started before sunrise with a morning hike to the top of a nearby mountain 🌅. Although the sky was cloudy, the sun peeked through just long enough for everyone to enjoy a magical view together. At the peak, we shared hot cocoa ☕, which, despite its simplicity, became one of the children’s favorite memories from the camp.

The day continued with a beach cleanup activity, where children picked up everything from microplastics to large plastic bottles, embodying social responsibility. This experience helped turn learning into action and showed how even small efforts can contribute to protecting our environment.

We concluded the camp with energetic team games such as Sharks and Minnows, bringing together more than 40 participants in a fun and exciting finale filled with teamwork, laughter, and movement.

🌍 What This Camp Represented

Kodomo shokudos are community-based spaces across Japan that provide meals, safety, and a sense of belonging for children who may face poverty or need a place to eat for several other possible reasons.

If there is one word that captures what this camp represented, it is global citizenship.

At Youth For Future, we believe that the first step to becoming a global citizen is understanding that you are not alone in this world. You are part of a local, national, and global community. Through shared experiences and meaningful interactions, we aimed to help children recognize these connections and gain confidence in both their abilities and their potential.

With Japan becoming an increasingly multicultural society, it is further important for children to adapt to this newly forming multicultural Japan. We believe that this camp takes the first step to allow them to do so.