Mirai no Mori programs have provided opportunities for children to think, decide, and act on their own initiative. We have created an environment where each child can find and be their true self, leading to unique personal growth. Mirai no Mori also values the connection with children as individuals. Program staff take pride in knowing and remembering the names and personalities of the children, respect their opinions and ideas, and support them in taking action. We believe it is this personal relationship and mutual respect that bring children back to the program year after year, from elementary to high school and even after they grow into independent adults. This is the journey of camper R, who has been participating in our programs for many years, told through the voices of both care workers and Mirai no Mori staff.

Care worker
R was a very active child since preschool. She would cartwheel inside, jump on the sofa, and couldn’t sit still during meals. When we go shopping, she finds something interesting and disappears in that direction. She had difficulty concentrating on anything that was not her immediate interest. When she entered elementary school, she would sometimes be so absorbed in her play that she would refuse to bathe or eat. She also had trouble managing her things, and her things would often be scattered everywhere. She had a very weak distinction between her possessions and others. It was common for the contents of her pencil case to be replaced with other children’s belongings when she returned from school.

R also had a strong distrust of unfamiliar adults. She was reluctant to talk to people out of fear that they might misunderstand her or get angry. Even in restaurants, she had trouble speaking to the wait staff and would either ask a care worker to order for her or give up eating.

Because of these issues, it was not easy for us to take her to places. However, staying in would only deny her the opportunity to learn essential life skills, so we consciously tried ways to connect her to the outside world. This was one of the reasons we wanted her to join Mirai no Mori.

Mirai no Mori staff
When R first joined our program as a fourth grader, she was very shy. She didn’t talk to campers from other homes and only responded with a word or two when the staff tried to talk to her. It took her a long time and a lot of encouragement from staff for her to speak at that first camp. A few days in and after we became more familiar with each other, I still remember when she first talked to me, sitting on my lap and in a tiny voice. But she joined all the activities and created her own ways to enjoy them.

As she continued to attend programs over the years, including summer and winter camps, she gradually became more comfortable with Mirai no Mori. She started to talk to other campers and speak up in front of everyone, and she even began teaching first-time campers. In her last year of elementary school, she started to follow the high school students in the LIT program closely and help them with their tasks. She even joined the LIT closing ceremony as a “mini LIT” and helped us prepare and serve lunch for all the guests.

Care worker
In the beginning, she used to come to us when she had a question. But at some point, she started to ask the program staff directly, and I don’t recall talking to her at all in some programs. We began to see some changes in her daily life too. She started to put her toys away, saying “Responsibility!” and even volunteered to be the room leader for the school trip because she was used to overnight trips. She was also influenced by the behavior and tidiness of the children she met during the camp. She spontaneously said things like, “My room got messy, so I should clean it up,” or “I should be able to wash my hair by myself before the next camp.”

Going to and from the program was also a great learning opportunity. When using public transportation, she witnessed social manners and how people interact, such as moving to allow others to pass, holding personal belongings so they don’t bother others, not talking loudly, and giving up seats for others. She learned to listen to the announcements and look at signs to get information on changing trains. And if she still did not understand, she would ask a station attendant. It was great practice for her to pay attention to her surroundings.

Mirai no Mori staff
Even though R is now a junior high school student, she continues to attend our program regularly. She knows Mirai no Mori very well and has become a teacher to younger and first-time campers and starting to take an active role as a leader. She talks to other campers and staff, actively decides on team names and head counts, and explains them to corporate volunteers who are new to the program. She looks after younger campers in her team very well, even though she tells us it’s hard work. I feel like she no longer comes to programs just to have fun but to fulfill her responsibility to others. 

Care worker
She kept her connections with the outside world and grew dramatically in junior high school. She can now order her food at the restaurant and even order a specific book at a bookstore. She can now clearly distinguish between her and others’ things and recognizes when items are missing or out of place. She has even developed her own ways of organizing. When she goes to Mirai no Mori or on other trips, she can decide what she needs, pack, and even prepare things that she imagines others will need.

Mirai no Mori staff
R has been participating in Mirai no Mori for more than five years, and even just by watching her in the program, she has steadily grown in what she can do and become a dependable member. She is a regular program participant now and actively talks to camp staff and volunteers, new and old. We are very happy that Mirai no Mori has been able to play a part in R’s development. She is entering high school next year and has already told us she wishes to come to Mirai no Mori as a LIT. We are glad that we can continue to provide opportunities for new experiences and support her in gaining new knowledge and skills.