📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
This workcamp is organized together with Tochigi Conservation Corps (TCC). TCC was established in 2009 with inspiration of Conservation Corps in the U.S.A., which is a complex of long term workcamp for environment and leadership training. TCC work on forest preservation for bio-diversity and maintenance of abandoned farmland as well as cultivation of human resources for next generation. Furthermore, TCC aims to utilize forests as a social place by combining with other fields like welfare, children, education and so on. In 2017, TCC got the first prize in one of the biggest awards for inclusive society. This is the very first international youth workcamp in Japan.
💼 What the programme involves
Volunteers will do manual work such as weeding, cutting undesirable trees/ bamboos which disturb soil conservation function and bio-diversity. Working fields may vary due to local conditions. Each forest is expected to be a place for outdoor activities for children, a place for relaxation for mentally challenged people, a habitat for Sashiba (Japanese eagles in danger of extinction) vary due to local condition and so on.
🏠 Accommodation on site
Shared rooms with 2-6 people in a beautiful house called 'Meizai-an'. Meizai-an got a prize for good-design house awards. Meals will be cooked by volunteers in turn. All basic facilities are provided. No sleeping bag is necessary.
📍 About the location
Mashiko-machi, Haga-gun, Tochigi Prefecture is 40 mins from Utsunomiya-City by car, 2 hours from Shinjuku, Tokyo by train. Volunteers can enjoy beautiful nature and local culture like Mashiko-yaki (traditioanl ceramics).
⚠️ Requirements
Volunteers should be 15-17 years old, highly motivated to work outside. Respect to local people and other participants is needed.
ℹ️ Additional information
other activities: Cultural exchange parties, onsen (public hot spring), traditional ceramics painting, sunflower festival etc.
For more info. please refer to reports by long term volunteers as below. Some articles have English subtitles. http://blog.canpan.info/tochigicc/