The Foreign Language Club’s annual English Camp returned for its second annual incarnation. Held in Hiwasa on July 31- August 1, students and teachers enjoyed the seaside town with beautiful sunshine and hot weather occasionally tempered by ocean breeze. The camp brought together students determined to improve their English, and surprisingly, their fitness levels.

To encourage full immersion, the camp had one rule: English only! Anyone caught slipping into japanese had to drop and give the group squats or push-ups. By the end of the weekend, everyone got a tiny bit stronger; teachers and ALT’s included.

The first day kicked off with a beach scavenger hunt, where students raced in teams to find items and take pictures of the beautiful oceanside. Pictures with the teachers came at the price of answering English riddles, which the students took in stride. The competition quickly turned into laughter and teamwork, followed by a sweet reward of ice cream and some relaxed bonding time in the sun.

Later that evening, the group tuned into some classic summer tunes and gathered in the kitchen to prepare a veritable feast. On the menu: Spanish paella, Italian minestrone, and Tex-Mex tacos. Each dish was prepared together, with (mostly) english instructions. The night ended peacefully with stargazing.

The following morning, campers were treated to a cozy breakfast of oatmeal and French toast before heading off to the Hiwasa Sea Turtle Museum Caretta. There, students learned about Hiwasa’s local history and its dedication to sea turtle conservation. The foreign language club then welcomed a new mascot: a loggerhead sea turtle named Carmen.

Before heading home, everyone enjoyed a final meal together, classic burgers and fries, and shared their favorite memories from the weekend. As the train pulled away with sleepy but smiling students aboard, one thing was clear: this year’s English Camp was a success.

With improved English skills, stronger friendships, and maybe a bit more muscle, everyone is already looking forward to next year’s adventure!