Our Impact

Achievements

Over 1,800 campers have participated in our programs, so far. We’ll continue to reach out to more homes and the children, so more can join our programs. (as of December, 2020)

In 2019, about 60% of program participants were repeaters. The Mirai no Mori program is becoming a place where the children can continue to come back to, and experience and learn new things in a safe and secure environment. (as of December, 2019)

About 460 care workers have joined and experienced our program. The care workers take the “camp magic” back to the daily life of children and continue their learning between programs. They are the essential partners of Mirai no Mori for creating and making continuous improvement on our programs. (as of December, 2020)

Camper Voices

I’m going to keep Mirai no Moriʼs five values in my mind everyday.

(Camper)

I want to work harder at studying English and visit many countries in the future!

(Camper)

On our night hike, I got to see shooting stars for the first time in my life. I want to come back to Mirai no Mori camp to watch them again!

(Camper)

Thank you for taking me hiking. The best part about hiking was when I got to the top and thought, “Wow, I did it.” And the view was really nice. Please invite me to hike again. It was fun!

(Camper)

It was difficult to try to speak with the foreign staff but it was a really good experience. At first I was so tense and so I couldn’t understand what they were saying, but when I changed my mindset to try my hardest to talk, I felt that my English Level was improving and on realizing “they understand what I am saying” I felt so happy.

(Camper)
Expand Text

Care Worker Voices

Many children in care homes have had painful and difficult experiences in the past. After joining this yearʼs Summer Camp, I feel strongly that it is a place where children can start healing their emotional scars. Being in nature and through outdoor activities, they learned to cheer on each other by shouting “You can do it!”, to support each other and to live together. I am happy to have met such a wonderful group of adults and children at Summer Camp: an important place for all.

(Care worker)

The outdoor cooking, boxing, hiking, and so on were great, but the opportunity to interact with adults from various fields while doing the activities is something invaluable, for not only the children, but also the staff as well I think.

(Care worker)

At the camp, both the care staff and the children were able to experience the same things and create lots of happy memories. Thanks to being able to experience things from the same viewpoint as the children we were able to get to know new and different aspects of each child. By being able to work together in teams with other children, to challenge themselves by finding courage even when they were afraid, I felt that the many experiences they had and the feelings that they were able to experience will become a very precious legacy for them in the future. I would like for the kids to be able to be supported by and to continue with these camps in the future for these precious experiences and discoveries.

(Care Worker)
Expand Text

Camp Staff Voices

The most rewarding aspect of the camp for me was seeing the campers reflect and try so hard to achieve their own goals they set each day. It was also great to see them leaving with huge smiles on their faces.

(Camp Staff)

I believe in Mirai no Moriʼs vision: it works with the children and homes continuously throughout the year through the Back to Nature programs, in addition to the summer and winter camps. I feel that Mirai no Mori is really making a difference in the childrenʼs lives, and I want to support that.

(Camp Staff)

Mirai no Mori camp allowed me a way to feel like I made an impact on others. It was a very fulfilling experience to work with such a compassionate staff to make a difference in children’s lives. I sincerely hope that we were able to light a spark that the campers can carry forward as they grow.

(Camp staff)

I truly admire the resilience of the children, as well as their courage and strength despite having a rough start in life. They are inspirational.

(Camp staff)

It was rewarding in a way I can’t really put into words. I saw the children change over the course of the week, I got to make them smile, and was providing direction for most of the activities. This was deeply rewarding for me as a person who likes to show hospitality to people and entertain them as well, and I have a desire to help people. These children have a lot stacked against them, so if something about camp could influence them positively, that would be really great.

(Camp staff)
Expand Text

Volunteer Voices

It was especially rewarding to communicate with the children who recognized me with big smiles from my participation in previous programs. It was touching to see them trying to overcome challenges with warm support from others throughout activities.

(Corporate Sponsor Volunteer)

It was a truly meaningful program that made me rethink what I can do with what I have now in order to have a better society. In addition to financial contribution, my direct support via a real experience with the children accelerated my personal feeling of commitment to CSR activity.

(Corporate Sponsor Volunteer)
Expand Text

Camper Stories