Shirakami 4 | NICE-24S-0730A | 2024-07-30 - 2024-08-07 | KIDS,ENVI | Age: 18 - 99

This project is actively working for SDG 4 (Quality Education), organized together with Shirakami Nature School (SNS) since 2006. Shirakami Mountains is one of Japanese valuable preserved natural forests consisting primarily of beech trees, registered as a World Natural Heritage in 1993. SNS has a summer vacation program for children aged 7-12. Children will play and live in the nature to grow their independence, cultivate sensitivity, and learn group cooperation. This is also good opportunity for children to learn about international culture through communication with international volunteers. Volunteers need to be ready to spend 24 hours with children during kids camp except some free times.

Work: Supporting of children s nature camps, which take place from July 31 to Aug.7. Supporting various activities (farming/forestry experience, river play, BBQ, climbing, sports, etc.) while living together with the children, and preparing & cleaning up for the reception. Volunteers are also responsible for the safety of the children, providing behind-the-scenes support and encouragement for the children to enjoy their activities, and acting as a bridge between the children and foreigners. In addition, there is a possibility of doing environmental maintenance around the school. Work content may change depending on the weather, so a flexible attitude is important!

Accomodation and food: Shared room in school dormitory. Volunteer take it in turns to sleep in tent to look after the children. Sleeping bag is needed! Meals will be cooked by volunteers by turns.

Location: AjigasawatownAomoriprefecture

Location and Leisure: The Shirakami Mountains, located in the northern part of Honshu Island, is a huge mountainous area (130,000 hectares on the border between Aomori and Akita Prefectures). Enjoy rich nature around accommodation, taking a walk at morning, hot spring, etc.

Airport: TYO

Train/Bus station: The nearest international airport is Tokyo (NRT or HND) from which it takes 7 hours by bullet train and local train or 10 hours by night bus and local train to the meeting point in Aomori pref. Vols. need to arrive at NRT or HND by 18:00 on Jul. 29 and can leave there after 22:00 on Aug. 07. It is better to book flight on or after Aug. 08.

Requirements: Volunteers should love kids and speak/understand some Japanese language. Responsibilities, group cooperativeness and high motivation are necessary! Volunteers have experienced the activity with kids are welcome! Motivation letter is required. 9,000 JPY (55 EUR by the rate on 2023 Nov. 18th) of "NICE Volunteers" fee need to be paid in advance either by Card or PayPal. This is used for the project preparation/ coordination such as the transportation of the camp leaders while the meals and the accommodation are provided by the local host by free.

Language: eng

Extra Fee: 9000 JPY

Volunteers will get knowledge of history and culture of Shirakami-Sanchi World Heritage, and skills of conservation forests in Japan.