Japanese(日本語)     

While living in America, it is not easy to achieve a true understanding of Japan’s natural surroundings, its culture and its history. 

Nowadays, it is difficult to come into contact with people from other countries, such as Japan, that would spark a personal interest towards Japan, thus resulting in a desire to learn about Japan and its language. 

However, even in Japan, this kind of opportunity is not in abundance.  

UJEEC’s “Summer Camp in Gifu Prefecture” can help aid in motivating one to broadening their knowledge of Japan. 

The western part of Gifu Prefecture has setup activity bases in its towns and districts to provide hands on learning for a total of 2 sessions.

Each term runs for two weeks (15 days and 14 nights). 

Group members will have the opportunity to participate in the lifestyles of the areas’ local people. 

While attending these home-stays, this program allows children to personally expand their minds by experiencing a land of colorful natural landscapes, an enriched cultural society, and a distinct ancient history.  

Schedule 2010

1st Session  July 1, Thu. - July 15, Thu.

2nd Session  July 21, Wed. - August 4, Wed.

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Main Program Experiences: Nature / Culture / History

School Experience

Traditional Art and Craft　Experience

 Agriculture and Forestry work Experience

Community Life Experience

Exchange with Community Residents Experience

Nature Experience

Buddhist temple
Experience

Historic Site Seminar

　Experience local Japanese public elementary / junior high school programs and study together with Japanese children / students while improving your Japanese.  In addition, deepen interaction with Japanese children through school life and acquire real life Japanese language skills.  Experience a scheduled school for one class of one grade.  You will be able to open up to everyone in the class in no time.

　Experience the joy of using natural materials to make traditional Japanese handmade products, utilizing techniques in straw work, bamboo work, Japanese paper handicrafts, indigo dyeing, weaving, woodworking and the like, passed down from generation to generation in warm splendid detail and receive an understanding of the profundity of its cultural importance.

　Through helping out with farming and mountain work at private homes, learn how to skillfully utilize nature through the wisdom and splendid use of labor by the people who live this lifestyle.  They always know personally how these farm products are grown.  It is very important that the nature of the mountain is protected which certainly has an enormous impact on the hearts of the local people.

　Experience home-stays in local private homes while feeling the warmth of the hearts of the people living in the mountain village. 

　Experience sports interaction with local primary and secondary students while you enjoy utilizing conversational Japanese. In addition, for one time at the close of each term, participate in a campfire where you can come into contact with nature and people that bring a pleasant atmosphere to the end of your program experience.

　Experience the beautiful natural allure of bird watching, firefly catching and walks under starlit skies, that will create memories to last a lifetime.  Hike through mountain paths full of greenery.  While in the midst of Nature, enjoy fishing in refreshing clear flowing mountain streams. 

Buddhist temple
Experience

　For this program, stay at local Zen Buddhist Temples and experience sutra chanting, Zen meditation and cooking for yourself. This will become a valuable life experience for the future.

　There are many historic sites in Gifu prefecture.  Visit historic spots of Ibigawa-town and suburban cities and learn about their related incidents and personal histories as well as the geography of the land.  A trip is planned to visit Gifu Castle and the castle town, Ibigawa-town’s Buddhist Temples and Shinto Shrines.

Accommodation/Center of activities

　A learning arbor Yokokura is unique staying training facilities. The building is a repair of the schoolhouse in the former elementary school closed in depopulation three years ago. Here is used for the student and the company employee, etc. to train and for training camps. Additionally, it comes in the place of the sports exchange and the meeting of local people. Moreover, it is a base of various activities of NPO that is the cooperation group of UJEEC here. One of the activities is an experience course of the traditional craft production etc. Lecturers of this course are local residents. 

Introduction of camp place

　The town of Ibigawa, in the western part of Gifu Prefecture, Fukui Prefecture and Shiga Prefecture come in contact with Seino Region’s mountainous area.  Kiso Sansen’s one limpid stream, Ibigawa, embraces the greenery of the region.  In this place, there is no lack of the inherent abundant nature, warm, cultural tradition, and rich living history that is said to be the “Land of ones heart” for the Japanese people.  For Japanese children in America and those children who have an interest in the Japanese language and culture, this experience would probably be one they will never forget for the rest of their lives.
 *You can find the town of Ibigawa when you find Nagoya and Gifu, click these cities and Ikeda on this map　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

Guidelines for applicants

1) A child / student that is an overseas resident or an international school's student, enrolled in Japanese studies or interested in Japanese culture.
2) A child / student will be in grade 4 through grade 12, according to the Japanese school year, as of April, 2010 (10 years old or more and up to 18 years old after April 2, 2010).
3) Must be able to understand Japanese listen. This program is done in Japanese.
4) It is necessary to be able to obey the rules, and to promise according to the leader's instruction.
5) A child / student must be physically and mental healthy.
If the terms and conditions above are filled, your nationality or race won't be ask for.

　Please contact IACE TRAVEL by E-mail (info@iace-asia.com) or telephone (1-866-735-4223).  After receiving the predetermined application form, fill in the necessary information and mail the application including a check for the $200 non-refundable application fee to IACE TRAVEL .  The application fee applies to participation expenses and is none refundable even in the event of a cancellation.  Participation expenses (any remaining balance) must be paid by 1st Session: May 29, 2nd Session: June 12.　

4th-9th Graders：$2,100、10th-12th Graders：$2,200　＊It becomes $50 discount when participating together by siblings after the second person.

　Accommodation fee and food expenses (breakfast and dinner – 2 meals) are included. Some lunches are provided during home stay, traditional house and temple experience programs. Experience program fees are included.

　Transportation cost and air fair, overseas travel accident insurance cost (necessary to join), School Experience lunch fee, other programs’ lunch fees are personal expenses (souvenirs, beverage, merchandise...etc.) are not included.

 * UJEEC’s cooperation company IACE TRAVEL can arrange airline tickets and overseas travel accident insurance.

　The arrival and the departure place are Hozumi Station of the JR Tokaido Line. If your guardian cannot go with the arrival and the departure place, IACE TRAVEL can assist your child. * We will separately guide the cost of the assistant. Moreover, meeting and sending off excluding specified arrival and departure time will receive additional costs.

The approach to JR Hozumi Station (time): From Chubu Centrair International Airport ⇒To Kanayama Station by Meitetsu Line about 30 minutes. From JR Nagoya Station⇒The JR Tokaido Line about 25 minutes.

The minimum availability is ten people per term. Therefore, please note that changes in term participation can be requested depending on applicant status.　

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41649 Blair Drive, Novi, MI 48377  U.S.A.　
TEL : 1-248-346-3818
　

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