TANOSHII Fun Camp (Children’s Heritage Camp)

TANOSHII Fun Camp is a week-long youth summer camp that teaches elementary school children about the Japanese American culture and heritage through hands-on activities, community speaker presentations, demonstrations, games and many other fun explorations.  Past activities included taiko, kendo (martial arts), origami, obon dancing, Japanese language, and Japanese cooking.  Campers will get a chance to learn and connect with their heritage along with high school juniors, seniors and college students serving as camp counselors under adult supervision. 

Mission Statement:
To promote the legacy of Japanese American culture and heritage to our youth by:

• Enhancing the legacy of the Japanese American values introduced by the Issei
• Exploring the Japanese American culture, traditions and their adaptations
• Sharing the Japanese American experiences and history

The theme for the TANOSHII Fun Camp 2010 was Oshogatsu, which is the Japanese New Year.  In addition to doing activities based around other parts of the Japanese culture, the 51 elementary school kids learned about the different aspects of the important Japanese New Year celebration throughout the week.  The week began with making Nengajo, the Japanese New Year postcards sent to bid good tidings, and learning traditional Japanese songs such as “Oshogatsu”, a song sung in anticipation of the new year.  As the week progressed, the children made their own New Year’s decorations such as the Kadomatsu and Kasane mochi.  In the final culmination of the week, the kids presented what they learned in a lunch program with parents and guests.

TANOSHII is sponsored by the South Bay JACL and the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute.

For enrollment information or other questions, please visit the website at http://tanoshiifuncamp.org or email us at .