Camp Photo

This is the camp photo I took just before all of the kids (except from Misawa) had to return to Aomori. This was taken on top of the ski hill, next to the ski lodge on Misawa Air Base. You can see Lake Ogawara in the back, as well as a portion of the base (the round cage that is knick-named the "elephant cage"). *I will have one 5x7" photo printed for each family.*

Day 6 The End is Here

The kids were exhausted this morning, but woke up to bright blue skies and the heat. It was so nice to feel the sun shining!


Beth Missel baked a delicious bread, egg, cheese, and sausage casserole for breakfast. The kids ate it up, along with left-over pizza, and sweet breads (donated by Kudopan).

It turns out Ladder Golf was a fairly popular game! Almost everyone had their chance to master throwing the golf balls on a string - the object of the game is to play to 21 points. Each 'step' on the ladder is worth 3, 2, or 1 point. My father made my set from PVC pipe when he visited me here in Japan a couple years ago. You can find the game online and order it too!

Kids lined up (above) for gift the exchange. The American kids took great effort to pick something special for the Japanese kids. The raffle drawing to select a gift had American kids receiving American gifts so they did some swapping on the side. I'm not sure why it was done this way, but I do hope everyone was happy with their final selection. My kids were. Jesse got a wooden dinosaur that walks and Rachel got a cute box someone made with items inside.

It was really nice to see the different gifts the kids brought. I think this idea was much nicer than sharing candy or otherwise. The gifts make a nice keepsake. As you can see the kids are wearing their camp shirts they made too. They will keep these for many years to come too!

The camp was coming to a final close with certificates left to pass out to each camper. Julia, Keiko, and Sen Yamanaka shook their hands. The kids had to share a word or phrase they learned in Japanese. Some were very shy and didn't want to speak and others put some real effort into an answer.



Last duty before our guests' departure from the base... PACK UP! I couldn't help but post this picture of Julia running away from an insect! Ha-ha-ha! I think everyone had their share of mosquito bites from the night before too.

All in all, I think the kids had a fantastic time. The whole day spent on base you could see the kids really enjoying each other's company. It was a great "bonding" day. My daughter, Rachel, said that she didn't want camp to end. We started the week with our days mixed up and going by so slow...to now, not wanting it to end. We all gathered for the group camp photo before everyone left...see the next post in the blog.

The kids are all loaded and we wave a final goodbye... SAYONARA!

Day 5 - Misawa AB

AOMORI CAMP 2006 - MISAWA STYLE!

Before I even start the blog for the day, I must give credit where credit is due -- my heartfelt thanks to the parents and escorts. Without each one of you, the day-camp at Misawa would not have been a reality! And may you all be blessed in return for your generous donations of food, drinks, and time. Many of you went above and beyond they call of duty! It truly made this day an extraordinary one!

God bless you all!
~ May's ~ Missel's ~ Edward's ~ Mical's ~ Watson's ~ Olivares' ~
~ Winslow's ~ P.Palmer ~ J.Lanenga ~

FIRST STOP - SKI LODGE

Right off the bus, the kids dumped all of their gear at the ski lodge and stretch their legs before any activities begin. Tent assignments were handed out and kids started setting up tents. The Yamada High School bus had to leave by 2pm to return to Aomori (another night of Nebuta), but we managed to get a quick tour of the base in before its departure.

Beth Missel gave the group the base tour around the back of the flight line and a few other key locations before stopping at the Weasel's Den. Thanks Beth!

NEXT STOP - WEASEL'S DEN

The kids were let loose for about 1.5 hours in the Weasel's Den to have some FUN! The Japanese kids try out rock climbing and had a blast. Thanks Jacob and Ashley Winslow (certified in rock climbing)--without you, the kids couldn't have enjoyed the wall.

Aki (counselor) runs with the kids in a game of soccer.


Kids start signing t-shirts and continued throughout the day.


NEXT STOP - SKI LODGE

We had just enough room in the parents's and escorts' vehicles to shuttle the kids back to the ski lodge for the remainder of the day. The first task at hand was setting up tents. It would seem there was one puzzle for the day--trying to figure out how to set up Emily's tent! Luckily her father showed up and set us all straight. Once the kids finished up, they played a game of Capture the Flag and The Blob. As they played, the adults were busy beavers at work...

preparing the grill, chasing kids, avoiding the camera ;) and
preparing fixings for hotdogs, hamburgers, and Korean beef...



And some seized the opportunity to rest...ahhhh...



And the crazy kids PLAYED! No camp is complete without a WATER FIGHT!




DINNER TIME!



TALENT SHOW!

Each group of campers (5-6 groups) had to come up with some sort of "talent" to present for the Talent Show. The kids were a bit nervous, but excited that they all had something to share. They all did great! I think Noah was the only kid in almost every group (not only for the Talent Show, but the whole camp).

The audience - campers and families.


WOW! Human pyramid!


This group had a Q&A in English and Japanese.


Lianna Oritz plays charades for her group. Way to go!




This group had their own comical version of The Three Little Pigs. They shoot the wolf to save the pigs after they were eaten!

CAKE IN A CONE!

The kids enjoyed cake in an ice cream cone, topped with frosting and their sprinkle of choice. Is it smart to load them up on so much sugar when we're ready to head to the campfire? Hmmm. The kids LOVED the dessert--thanks Beth!

I gave all of the kids the basic instructions on S'Mores and we were off to the campfire pit (a.k.a. Camp Falcon). A special thanks to the Olivares' for getting the marshmallow sticks--what a lifesaver!!

CAMPFIRE - S'MORES - SONGS

The fun continued around the campfire. The kids dove into the bags of sugar, umm, I mean marshmallows and chocolate. When all had their fill of eating and scaring each other in the dark, we gathered around the fire for a few songs.

My Hat
My HAT,
It has THREE CORNERS,
THREE CORNERS,
Has my HAT!
And had it not,
THREE CORNERS,
It would not be,
My HAT!

Flea
Flea
Flea fly
Flea fly flow
Vista
Coomalata coomalata coomalata vista
Oh no no no not the vista
Enie meenie desimeenie eskimini saulomeenie
Enie meenie desimeenie ooo wall-oh-wah
Bee biddly oaten doten bo do skadeeten dotten shhoooo!

The night concluded in their tents after 10:30 p.m. and beyond. There were lots of giggles, girls sneaking out to go star gazing, and other girls off to who knows where. Sen had to set some of the kids straight--this is not any location in Japan, this IS a military base and they need to respect the rules that are in place. We didn't seem to have any problems after that. The adults with the biggest dark circles under their eyes were the ones who stayed up until just after midnight to be sure everyone was fast asleep...

I headed back to my house for the night to tend to the baby. She had a decent day back in her bed for some much needed rest and cuddle time with her daddy.

Day 4 - FESTIVAL!

Everyone woke up cringing in pain from sunburns. I don't think I have ever seen so much pink flesh! Once we got rolling after breakfast, each person got to make their own lunch--sandwiches or onigiri (rice balls).

We made our way to Yamada Junior High, loaded the bus, and headed for Nogiwa Park for some outdoor fun. Here are several more Japanese kids that joined camp at this point. The introductions were made and the fun started. Around Nogiwa Park were 22 items hidden for the groups to find--the race was on! Afterwards they enjoyed drinks and lunch before heading over to an elementary school. Here the kids had to put on their thinking caps and decide what their group would perform for the Talent Show on the last night of camp. It was a struggle for some, almost impossible for others, and a piece of cake for one or two. Time was critical--future practice opportunities didn't exist but only right before show time!


AND THE FESTIVAL PREPARATIONS BEGIN!
We went from the elementary school to Yamada High School and began the festival preparations. The girls were assigned a room upstairs to get dressed in the customary yukata as the boys dressed in the gym. I had to stay with Noah and get him ready, so I didnt get many shots of the girls getting dressed (well, it wouldn't be appropriate to post pictures of that either!). I will assume their procedure of wrapping up is the same as the men/boys.

The first layer was the long yellow cloth. It was wrapped about chest to mid-abdomen high, very tightly, and secured with a strip of cloth (some were daring enough to wear just their skivvy's under it). Next came the blue yukata coat with the left side of the jacket overlapped on the top. This was secured first by a thin strip of cloth and then a wide elastic strap with velcro. Then over that came the wide blue cloth that was tied in a bow on one hip. Next the sleeves were folded in a particular fashion so they appeared like a regular cap sleeve on a t-shirt. It seems each group (in the festival) had their own particular style on this folding. These were then secured by a very wide, long cloth that was twisted and wrapped around their shoulders with a final bow tied between the shoulder blades. I attemtped my own version of it, but it must be done in a particular order to come out the same each time. That's it!

Next a quick dinner of onigiri (rice ball) was consumed and lines were formed. We awaited instructions. The Japanese were all facing forward in their lines like robots ready for commands. Us? Chatting, turned around, goofing off! The adults rushed up and down the lines to get everyone to shape up and pay attention. I think they were all so excited to get going. We really didn't know what was coming next.

Everyone got a small cup of drink (I didnt taste it--what WAS it??) and had a "toast". Then the principal of Yamada High School gave a speech. I rolled my way back to my van with the baby as everyone filed out to get on the buses and head downtown.

The kids gathered for one quick group shot before departure.



As the kids went on their way, I asked Paul (one of the escorts from base that was helping later in the camp on base) and Jesse to keep an eye on Noah since I couldn't be with them. I felt at ease then.

I made it back to the homestay house with Judy and her youngest, Lianna, to drop off the van. Then I loaded up the stroller and we headed to our reserved seating in front of Sen's aunt's store (Ashiya), right on the main street. It was about a ten minute walk and wasn't too much trouble. Rebekah seemed to be doing fine and no sign of fever all day. We sat down and enjoyed the festival.

About 30-40 minutes into the festival Sen called me on my cell and told me that Paul and Noah had not returned to the fesitval--he took Noah to the bathroom before it started and they never caught up! I was devastated. I started to pray. The crowd was huge, there was no telling where he went to the bathroom or where he went afterwards. I was sure Paul wouldn't think to get back on the street and catch up with the entire group (but instead, he stayed on the sidewalk). With Noah on top of his shoulders, Paul began the walk around and around the parade route, looking for me on the sidelines and/or the group in the parade. Sen kept calling back with no news. Rebekah had fallen asleep (HOW with all the drums and noise!?) so I left her with the other Misawa parents and ran...and ran...up the streets with a prayer to find them in time.

I stopped a policeman on the corner and tried to explain. Once he finally "got" what I was saying and translated it to a fellow officer, my cell phone rang--Sen said they found them. Praise the Lord. I jogged back to the reserved seating and a moment later, there they were. Paul and Noah had walked the sidewalks the entire time - nearly two full hours - and did not get to chant or dance even one minute of it. My heart aches just to think about it again. So, Paul...if you're reading this...know how truly sorry I am that this happened to you! And God bless you for watching after my son in that sea of people. I hope I can make it up to you somehow...

Meanwhile the kids appeared to have a fantastic time dancing and screaming "rasseh-rah, rasseh-rah, rasseh, rasseh, rasseh-rah" with the beat of drums and flutes all over. A few of the girls and my son, Jesse, were able to ride the front little cart and shout the chant into the microphone out to the crowd.

Here's a photo of the entire group - the Aomori Camp 2006 with Yamada High School. A special thanks to the high school for allowing us to walk with them!

The festival promptly ended at 9 p.m. and they loaded the bus and waited for Judy and I to come with the vans to pick them up at the high school. But...another crisis. Rebekah woke up at the end of the parade with another high fever. When we returned to the house I gave her Motrin. I could not stay home with her at that point--we had to go pick up the kids.

When we arrived at the school and the van was loaded, Paul got into the driver seat for me so I could sit with Rebekah. Her fever spiked again--worse. I didn't dare take anymore chances. Sen made the phone calls and we were on our way to the emergency room. Long story short...she was okay and I would follow-up with the doctors the next day or so when we were back on Misawa Base.

WE SURVIVED NEBUTA FESTIVAL 2006!