Total-Immersion Japanese Language

&

Culture Camp for High School Students

 

 

HISTORY AND PURPOSE

 

Planning for the Total-Immersion Japanese language and Culture Camp for High School students began in 1987.  The initial planners recognized a need to teach Japanese language within its social and cultural contexts, away from distractions of high school life, and developed the idea of a camp to help students use and improve their knowledge of Japanese language professionals throughout Washington State.  Students and teachers pronounced the Camp alike.

 

In 1993 the Camp moved from its previous location in Eatonville to a new site in Seattle, University Prep Academy near the University of Washington.  To continue offering a high quality experience at a cost affordable to students, the Camp changed from an overnight resident camp to weeklong urban day camp, and added homestays with local Japanese families for advanced students.

 

In 1999 the Camp was once again held as an overnight experience at Camp Don Bosco in Carnation by the Washington Association of Teachers of Japanese (WATJ, a non-profit organization).  This school year will mark our eighth year to hold this Camp at Camp Don Bosco.

 

The purpose of the camp is to motivate and encourage American high school students to continue their Japanese language study.  The Camp improves their speaking and comprehension skills and enhances awareness of global perspectives through Japanese language, culture and traditional arts.  In addition, teachers have commented that students who have attended the camp have had positive influences on their fellow classmates.

 

The camp also has an important impact on the teaching of Japanese language in Washington State.  It has provided language teachers with the opportunity to work together in developing innovative curricula.  Other teachers are invited to observe camp classes and activities in order to learn new techniques and share ideas, which can then be incorporated into their regular classrooms.

 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

 

Time and financial constraints prevent most students from traveling to Japan.  The Camp brings Japan to them by simulating life in modern Japan.  Students communicate entirely in Japanese, surrounded by Japanese signs, posters, books, music, games, food and people.  All students are assigned to kumi (groups) named after colors and they study and work within these groups from Friday morning to Saturday evening.  Upon arrival at the camp, students receive their passport and go through registration.  After completing registration, total-immersion begins and the use of English is prohibited.

 

The first day begins with a chorei (all school gathering) in which students will be welcomed by the director and the kochoo sensei (principal).  The next day begins with a chorei and rajio taisoo (Japanese-style group calisthenics) which warms up the students mentally and physically for a morning of intensive language study and related activities.  Afternoons are devoted to classes in a variety of cultural activities such as martial arts, calligraphy, cooking, tea ceremony, flower arrangement and singing.

 

The Friday evening event will begin with Matsuri, and includes dancing, singing, and taiko drumming.  The camp ends with the Undookai (Sports Day events) and a graduation ceremony on Saturday.

 

A relaxed, supportive setting allows students to practice and make mistakes without penalty.  In two days, students receive as many hours of language exposure as they would in nearly a month of high school language instruction.

 

CAMP RULES

 

Camp rules are designed to ensure a safe, comfortable environment to foster increased understanding of Japanese language and culture.  Students are asked to make every effort to use Japanese at all times.  All students and their parents or guardians must agree in writing to the Camp Rules before final acceptance to the camp.  Detailed Camp rules are enclosed in a separate sheet.

 

STAFF

               

Language teachers are chosen from each high school participating in this Camp.  Experts on Japanese arts, culture, and customs present cultural activities.  Instructors reside at the Camp and participate in all aspects of Camp life.

 

A support team of carefully chosen and trained bilingual aides and volunteers assists teachers and cultural experts, supervises free-time and evening activities, and is available throughout the day to interact with students.

 

FACILITIES

 

The Camp is held at Camp Don Bosco in Carnation.  Students are housed in dorm cabins according to school and gender.  Restrooms are in each cabin and showers are located near the cabins.  Parents and guardians are responsible for transporting their children to and from the Camp site.  http://www.seattlearch.org/BuildingCommunity/CatholicYouthOrganization/Camping/MapsDrivingDirections/

 

STUDENT PARTICIPATION

 

Participation is limited to 100 students throughout Washington State.  We have decreased the number of participating students to decrease teacher-student ratio and create a more intense atmosphere for students to hear and speak more Japanese to a variety of Japanese speakers.  Each high school can bring a maximum of eight students to the Camp.  High school students in good standing who have completed at least one year of formal study of Japanese, who is currently enrolled in a Japanese class and who are committed to improving their knowledge of Japanese language and culture in a total-immersion setting are encouraged to apply. 

 

Students are required to submit:

·         an application

·         teacher recommendation

·         a copy of the camp rules agreement

·         tuition (checks made out to WATJ)

 

TUITION

 

The camp tuition and deadlines are as follows:

 

Early bird registration postmarked by:                       November 23, 2005 (Wednesday)

                                                                                          Tuition $65.00

Final Registration postmarked by:                              December 16, 2005 (Friday)

                                                                                          No applications will be accepted after this date

                                                                                          Tuition $75.00

 

·         Tuition includes Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast and lunch.

·         Cancellations will be accepted through Tuesday, February 28, 2006).  Tuition costs will be refunded minus an office fee of $5.00.  There will be no refunds after this date.

·         Due to limited enrollment and increased demand to attend, we encourage early registration.

 

DATES & TIMES

 

March 31 & April 1, 2006

Friday 8:00 AM ~ Saturday 4:00 PM