(For high school students)

Lead a new generation of happy campers!

The Leader in Training program is an extensive camp program geared towards high school age campers. It combines the best parts of camp fun with a new level of responsibility and leadership, geared towards older campers. Over three camp sessions Leaders-in-Training will take part in camp activities, shadow camp staff, undergo extensive personal development, guidance and leadership training through a series of challenges, and then graduate to deliver their own favorite activities and lead a team of younger campers. This is a unique opportunity for leaders of the future to test themselves under expert guidance, and to take an active role in building the camp of their dreams for the benefit of future generations.

What does the LIT program look like?

A small group of high schoolers will come together at camp for three camp sessions to live, laugh, and grow. They will spend the first week building a strong, unified team, and learning what English Adventure is all about. They will take part in leadership workshops, plan cool activities for campers, learn about camp from behind the scenes and enjoy one another’s friendship. Soon afterwards, they will begin to work with staff from all areas of camp, and have opportunities to take on leadership roles with campers. By the end of three sessions, these LITs will be some of each other’s closest friends. They will share unforgettable memories, develop their leadership skills, and grow into thoughtful young adults ready to take on the world.

What do LITs learn?

The LIT program seeks to help prepare young adults to be lifelong leaders. We believe there are four fundamentals of leadership: Creativity, Accountability, Reflection, and Empathy.

Creativity: Divergent thinking is a crucial component of leadership. LITs will learn to think outside the box in order to create projects that will have a positive impact on the world around them.

Advocacy: You can’t talk about leadership without discussing power. Everyone is born on a different playing field, decided by their culture, race, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, ability, genetics, family connections… the list goes on and on. Leaders must help advocate for those whose voices don’t get heard. LITs will discover their relationship with power and privilege as it relates to leadership, and learn how to use their voices to empower others.

Reflection: Leaders cannot grow effectively unless they understand their strengths, their areas of growth, as well as their impact on others. LITs will learn how to evaluate each other, approach feedback with grace, and understand how their leadership style can best benefit a team.

Empathy: In addition to having a good head on their shoulders, leaders must possess an earnest heart. Leaders are most effective when they are able to find common ground. No person should criticize another until they have walked a mile in their shoes. LITs will learn how to step back, listen without judgement, and deeply connect with others.

Who is eligible?

• Enrolled in high school at the start of the program (August 1, 2024).
• Can participate in all-English program.
• Demonstrate a positive attitude and willingness to learn.
• Works well with others.
• Ready to have the best summer ever.

Application Process

After booking their place at camp, LIT candidates will undertake an interview process with senior camp staff. Being an LIT is an honor that many teenagers are hoping to have, but places are strictly limited and we can only accept six boys and six girls into the program this summer. This experience looks great on a resume or any university application, but even more so, it provides a unique type of experiential education that is hard to find anywhere else.

Program Contents

Session 1 - Training Week (Days 1-4)
Introduction, goal setting, general camp observation, reflection

The first session at camp will be devoted to training. LITs will think on their past summers at camp; observe camp from the perspective of camp leadership; and set goals for the program. They will go through almost all of the same training modules that staff members at camp go through at the beginning of each summer. These sessions will include learning about camp procedures and best practices when working with campers. LITs will take part in different team building activities and leadership workshops to help get them connected with each other. They will end every night with a team reflection and an individual check-in with the LIT Manager.

Session 2 - Shadow Week (Days 6-8)
In-depth observation, reflection

During the second session, LITs will have the opportunity to see how camp works behind-the-scenes. They will learn from Team Leaders, Activity Leaders, Kitchen Staff, Facility Staff, Managers, and Directors about what each adds to make camp happen. They'll be able to sit down and interview staff and compile what they find in their camp notebook. LITs will spend most of their time shadowing and studying under Activity Leaders this session. They will watch as Activity Leaders run their activities over multiple age groups and language programs (LITs will pay particular attention to the difference between leading Challenge campers and Immersion campers). Under the supervision of an Activity Leader, LITs will design their two-hour activity program from start to finish during this week - culminating in delivering their program to actual campers! In their nightly reflections and feedback sessions, LITs will consider the specifics of how an individual activity session is built and facilitated, all of the different components that go into a Team Leader's daily routine, and try to get an understanding of what camp looks like from "the other side.” By the end of this week, LITs will choose an age group, language program and Team Leader to join for their final session.

Session 3 - Leading Week (Days 10-13)
Leadership Practice and Facilitation

During their third and final session, LITs will get the chance to be an assistant team leader for one group of campers throughout the whole session. They will fulfil the duties of a normal Team Leader with the Team Leader always being present to support and coach the LIT. These hands-on, genuine experiences will be the culmination of the LIT time at camp. Through active feedback and debrief sessions, LITs will consider their strengths and weaknesses as a leader and reflect critically on how their understanding of leadership changed over the course of their LIT experience.

LITs will be considered campers as far as supervision is concerned, so they will always report to one adult leader. However, they may spend portions of their day traveling between activities on their own or in individual reflection. Because they will be given more autonomy than the younger campers, we will expect them to sign a basic behavior contract and to treat their experience at camp respectfully.

Overnight Camping & Sunrise Hike: Depending on weather, on the final night of camp the LITs will go on an overnight hike - a final chance to bond with their teammates, reflect on their experiences at camp and bask in nature before the trip back to civilisation.

In between sessions - Off-site Field Trips (Days 5 & 9) To break up the 13-day program, the 5th and 9th days are rest days for LITs. English Adventure arranges an off-site excursion that lets LITs relax, unwind and explore some of Tsunan’s sights and natural beauty. Details vary year-to-year but will usually include a rest and soak at one of the area’s famous hot springs. (All activity, transport, entrance tickets and meal costs are included in the LIT booking price, details of excursions to be confirmed closer to camp.)

Program Details

Schedule	View all sessions' availability and pricing
Accommodation	Mountain Park Tsunan Tsunan, Niigata
Meeting Point and Time	Tokyo: Tokyo Station 7:00 - 7:45am (Tentative) Nagoya: JR Nagoya station 7:30 - 8:30am (Tentative) Shin-Osaka: JR Shin-Osaka station 7:15 - 8:00am (Tentative) Campsite Drop off: 11:00 - 11:30am (Tentative) *Details will be emailed 2 weeks before camp
Return Point and Time	Tokyo: Tokyo Station (Tentative) 17:30 - 18:15 Nagoya: JR Nagoya station 18:15 - 18:30 (Tentative) Shin-Osaka: JR Shin-Osaka station 19:25 -19:45(Tentative) Campsite Pick-up: 13:00 - 13:30pm (Tentative) *Details will be emailed 2 weeks before camp
Transportation	Tokyo: JR Tokyo Station – JR Echigo-Yuzawa Station (Joetsu Shinkansen Toki or Tanigawa), JR Echigo-Yuzawa Station – Mountain Park Tsunan (chartered bus), all return-trip Nagoya (optional fees will apply): JR Nagoya Station – JR Nagano Station (Limited Express Shinano), JR Nagano Station – JR Iiyama Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen Hakutaka), JR Iiyama Station - Mountain Park Tsunan (chartered bus), all return-trip Shin-Osaka (optional fees will apply): JR Shin-Osaka Station – JR Tsuruga Station (Limited Express Thunderbird), JR Tsuruga Station – JR Iiyama Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen Hakutaka), JR Iiyama Station - Mountain Park Tsunan (chartered bus), all return-trip * Travel routes and means of transport are subject to change, due to seat availability and other factors.
Open To	Student enrolled in high school at the time of camp
Price	From ¥345,600 View pricing details
Included in Program	All-inclusive: Round-trip bullet train and chartered bus from Tokyo (Nagoya and Osaka options are available), lodging, meals, activity fees, tie-dye t-shirt, laundry service, domestic travel insurance and consumption tax.
Options	Nagoya Meetup and Dispersal ¥15,000 Osaka Meetup and Dispersal ¥30,000 Campsite Drop-off and Pick-up (Round Trip) ¥-6,000
Meals	(3-night 4-day camps) 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners (4-night 5-day camps) 4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners (8-night 9-day camps) 8 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 8 dinners (12-night 13-day camps) 12 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 12 dinners
Bus Company	Uonuma Chuo Transport Co., Ltd., Nagano Kotsu Co., Ltd., or a bus company with equivalent services
Tour Conductor	This tour will not be accompanied by a tour conductor. Panorama GK staff will accompany the tour from check-in to check-out.
Mimumum Number of Participants	(4-night 5-day and 3-night 4-day camps) 90 per session and 4 per grade (2 per gender group) (8-night 9-day camps) 4 per grade (2 per gender group) *Maximum participants: 16 (12-night 13-day camps) 4 per grade (2 per gender group) *Maximum participants: 16
Payment Details	By credit card. A confirmation email will be sent once your payment is confirmed.
Regarding Cancellations	Camp sessions are filled in the order we receive payment in full for registered campers. Camp cancellation fees: Cancellation 20 to 8 days prior to camp start date: 20% charge Cancellation 7 to 2 days prior to camp start date: 30% charge Cancellation 1 day prior to camp start date: 40% charge Cancellation on the camp start date before check-in time: 50% charge Cancellation without notice or after camp check-in time: 100% charge Cancellations will be processed within 10 business days. The actual timing of refund to your credit card depends on your credit card company's policy. Also, a handling fee of 5,000 yen per camper per session and Mirai no Mori donations will not be refundable. To cancel your camp registration, please send us a request via the link below or contact customer support by email or telephone. We will confirm your cancellation by email. Camp Cancellation Request Form
Organizer	Panorama GK Registered Travel Agent Ko 1745-1, Kamigo Ueda, Oaza, Tsunan Nakauonuma-gun, Niigata (License No. 2-430 approved by the Governor of Niigata) Full Member of All Nippon Travel Agents Association