PRINCIPLES LEARNED THROUGH CAMP EXPERIENCE
In Iwanai, our classroom is nature. We teach students about principles that build character. We’ll bring you kayaking on the Sea of Japan, mountain bike through rolling pastures, hike up alpine trails and give back to the community. The challenges presented by wilderness will push you to explore your inner boundaries and bring new confidence to your everyday lives.
LEADERSHIP
The art of motivating others in pursuit of a common goal is the power of leadership. Communication, inspiration and passion are all key ingredients. Add adversity and a challenge is presented that calls on leadership. Confronting difficulties in nature will bring out leadership qualities and allow one’s awareness to evolve.
TEAMWORK
Every meaningful endeavor of scale is achieved through a collaborative effort. Direction, structure and support are the three factors for quality teamwork. Direction is the product of leadership, structure provides the plan, support empowers the desired result. We teach you how to use this fabric of teamwork to achieve goals beyond what an individual can do alone.
CONFIDENCE
We all have dreams we’d like to achieve. But our greatest impediment is often ourselves. Confidence is a skill to be honed so that when adversity or challenge calls, you have an answer within yourself. Our activities will teach you how to achieve the impossible by believing in yourself.
EMPOWERMENT
Often used in American management theory, empowerment is the capacity of individuals or groups to take control of their circumstances by harnessing the concept of ownership. Being responsible to your duties and understanding the obligation to others will allow students to set examples and lead while achieving their goals.
AWARENESS
Our words and actions all have meaning. Who we are and how we are perceived define our character. Compassion, patience and etiquette are skills that can be practiced to build a positive awareness. Teaching students how to actively see themselves in the eyes of others will build a balanced demeanor.
ANTICIPATION
Once a level of awareness is achieved, one can start to see what others might need or anticipate circumstances arising from one’s environment. The ability to anticipate needs, opportunities or danger is an essential skill for survival and growth.
COURAGE
Courage is a skill that allows us to challenge and defeat our anxieties. The ability to overcome fear is only learned through experience. We must practice and increase our bravery one courageous act at a time. The natural setting of Iwanai provides many chances for students to perform.
SURVIVAL
Today’s world seems so far from survival as living in big cities separates us from exposure. The classroom of nature will unlock skills that are learned through forging one’s independence in the wild. These skills of survival can be used in everyday life and will enhance one’s autonomy.