FAQ: Programs
How old must children be to participate in Mirai no Mori programs?
Youths in grades 1–9 participate in our regular programs as campers, and youths in grades 10–12 can participate as Leaders in Training program (LIT).
How are the campers chosen?
We leave the decision of which youths will join our programs to the care homes we partner with, as each home has a different schedule, criteria, ad policies.
How much does it cost for the care homes to join the program?
All the expenses for campers, LITs, and care workers are covered by Mirai no Mori, so they can participate free of charge.
Do care workers always participate in the programs?
Yes. Care workers play a crucial role as caretakers of the children, but mostly, they are the connection that takes what children learn in the programs into their daily lives.
Why the name “Mirai no Mori”?
みらいの森 ~ Mirai no Mori ~ Forests of the Future
Mirai no Mori wishes to convey a sense of hope for a better future that begins in the outdoors, and we chose a name to reflect that.
How big is the program?
For our residential programs, we usually have 20–45 campers, 3–10 care workers, and 5–15 Mirai no Mori staff.
For our Back to Nature programs, we have 15–35 campers, 2–5 care workers, 5-10 Mirai no Mori staff, and up to 20 corporate volunteers.
What kind of activities take place during the outdoor programs?
Residential Programs consist of 2-5 days of outdoor activities that vary depending on seasons and locations. In our summer camps, activities include stream hiking, cooking, team building games, singing English camp songs, and World Tour where they learn about different cultures around the globe. Each day starts with morning assembly and ends with Reflection Time, where campers think back on their successes and challenges of the day to help solidify the experience.
Back to Nature programs are one-day programs that follow a similar structure as a day in the residential program. The activities differ every month and they include hiking, forestry, cooking, crafts, field games, and rafting.