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Camp Roadless Summer
Behind you, the majestic backdrop of Mount Fuji on the scenic shores of Lake Saiko. All around you, an immersive world of arts and nature. Yes, there’s no better place for the kids in summer than at camp, and the program at Camp Roadless Summer combines the practical with the imaginative to help children to develop independence and confidence through a range of fun activities.
Dr. Emmet Brown summed it up in the 1980 classic “Back To The Future” when he told his trusty assistant Marty McFly, “Where we’re going, we don’t need roads!” While flying cars may not be a feature of the camp, the essence of adventure and camaraderie remains the same.
Each child is encouraged to communicate with other campers and engage in team-building pursuits during the three- or six-day camps (priced ¥45,000 and ¥100,000, respectively, including transportation and insurance). Whether they are enjoying guided hikes in English, supervised swimming, canoeing, singing, dancing, acting or writing, campers will be energized and absorbed throughout the day, and get to showcase their experiences through projects and performances at the camp’s closing ceremony.
Dedicated staff bring over ten years of teaching experience in major cities like Chicago and New York, creating a fun, safe atmosphere for campers to bunk down in comfortable, supervised Japanese-style cabins. Can’t wait for camp to start? Join the fun in Kiba Koen on weekends for a sample of the Camp Roadless Summer experience.
Tel: 080-3880-8914 (English) or 090-5992-4570 (Japanese). Three-day camps run in September and early October. www.rsummercamp.com
EtonHouse
With more than 3,000 students of 54 different nationalities at 24 schools in seven countries, it’s fair to say The EtonHouse International Education Group has an advanced grasp of the term “international school.” And the same dynamic, multicultural environment will be established when the group opens its first Tokyo preschool on August 30.
Located in the heart of Tokyo and accommodating up to 120 students, the school will follow EtonHouse’s “Inquire, Think, Learn” curriculum. This was inspired by the work of the Reggio Emilia preschools and infant toddler centers in Italy, which Newsweek magazine describes as among the best in the world.
Children at EtonHouse Tokyo will receive a holistic international education from nursery to kindergarten. The EtonHouse curriculum aims to engage young children in the process of learning while providing them with a lifelong love for discovery. All programs will be taught in English by experienced and qualified early childhood educators of different nationalities, with a commitment to the very highest standards. A Mandarin second-language program will give children grounding in the world’s most-spoken language.
Assessment of each child’s progress will be a collaborative experience between the staff, the parents and the pupil in question, encouraging a sense of involvement and nurturing self-confidence. This approach also helps children to become happy and engaged global learners and critical thinkers. And that, after all, is what an international school is all about.
9-2-16 Akasaka, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-6804-3322. www.etonhouse.co.jp
Harvey & Maclaurin School
Choosing a preschool for a child with special needs can be daunting. These formative years are a crucial stage in anyone’s life, and naturally you hope your child will receive the care and specialized learning they need. It’s good to know, then, that the Harvey & Maclaurin NPO focuses on the early stages of problems which cannot be solved within regular study time at a kindergarten or nursery. They provide schooling and social activities to help your child improve his or her skills, and encourage self-support for the future.
The school offers special education and therapy for children with developmental issues like ADHD, PDD, learning disabilities, autism and cerebral palsy. Services include motor-skills training, hand-eye coordination development, revised ABA speech therapy, movement exercises, art activities, and training in social and communication skills. Learning and materials are tailored to the needs of each child.
In addition to a full-day school program, the Harvey & Maclaurin School offers after-school and tutoring programs, with 50 minutes of individual motor-skills practice and another 50 minutes of bespoke learning. Arts and fundamental learning activities based on Waldorf-Steiner and Montessori methods are also included, while individual and family counseling sessions are carried out by professional occupational therapists and psychologists, giving your child a crucial head start, whatever the circumstances.
3-19-23-1003 Takanawa, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-3473-6896. Daytime program (preschool) 9am-3pm, afterschool program (playground) 1:30-3:30pm, 3:30-5:30pm. Email: meg9harvey@gmail.com. Nearest stn: Shinagawa. www.harvey-and-maclaurin.org
Hiroo Kids World
Kids World in Hiroo is a centrally located learning institute and activity center that runs programs based on the American educational curriculum. Instructors can help harness your child’s innate abilities, gearing development through programs that incorporate a sense of teamwork with peers and teachers alike.
Kids World offers two courses run by an international faculty. The Toddler Pre-School Program is for children aged 2-3, providing a varied, well-balanced lineup of activities, including outdoor playtime, “circle” time, group games and art. All sessions are individually tailored to suit the child’s age and ability, allowing them to develop and nurture their own sense of independence, creativity, language and movement. Parents receive regular progress reports.
The Creative Play class caters to a broad age range of children aged 1-8, supporting creativity and independence through a variety of activities. A one-hour childcare class is available on a temporary basis, but regular students can join in the fun for more than three hours each day. Since the class mixes children of various ages, they can mingle and play with other kids of different developmental stages, sharpening their social skills in a fun and creative atmosphere.
2F No. 2 Sano Building, 5-10-24 Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-3448-9081. Open Mon-Fri 9am-6pm. Nearest stn: Hiroo. www.pigeonhearts.co.jp/kidsworld
Kincarn International School
Kincarn International School does more than simply educate its pupils; it aims to teach kids who will go on to secure peace on earth. That may sounds like a tall order, but the school’s calm and enriching environment is born of a reputation for dependability and stimulating education. Its fun, age-appropriate and engaging curriculum prepares students aged 2 to 6 for entry into well-known international and private schools in the Kanto area.
Kincarn combines a kindergarten, a nursery school, enrichment classes, after-school care, primary education, a multicultural exchange circle and an international school. The energetic, individually focused, structured courses focus on international themes. The Eurhythmic Program, for example, immerses children in the various rhythms and music of a selection of nations, while Culture Day is based on the practices in the countries of the diverse teachers.
More advanced sessions teach kids to take initiative by analyzing their environment from multiple vantage points. Of course, since your kids are growing up in Japan, you no doubt want them to become bilingual: Kincarn International School places equal emphasis on Japanese and English language development, as well as offering lessons on Japanese culture. Show and Tell sessions, meanwhile, encourage self-expression—something that might otherwise seem lacking in the Japanese classroom.
37-1 Tsutsumine, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki. Tel: 044-233-3970. Open Mon-Fri 8am-6pm (half-day program 9:30am-2pm; full-day program 8:30am-5:30pm). Nearest stn: Kawasaki. www.kincarn.com
LiVEJAM
What’s that smell? Teen spirit? Yes, pent-up energy comes as part of the package when you’re a teenager—which is why so many take up music. But lessons can be dry and uninspiring, and rarely teach you songwriting methods or the dynamics of playing in a band. And even once your band is formed, the pay-to-play system operated by most Tokyo venues can make it difficult to build up the chops necessary to become the stuff of legend.
The solution is LiVEJAM, a new performance-based “band school” specifically for junior and senior high school students. Three factors make LiVEJAM unique. First, it’s totally hands-on: private and ensemble classes teach technique as well as songwriting skills, building up to quarterly live performances in professional music venues. Second, the school caters exclusively to teenagers, helping them develop artistic competence and self-expression. And finally, it’s a truly international environment: the faculty consists of top professionals from around the world, and the students represent a mixture of international and local cultures.
If you already have a band, you can join the Band Course, consisting of supervised weekly ensemble rehearsals. If you don’t have your own group, start with private lessons and later form a band with like-minded young musicians within the school. Even if you’ve never played an instrument, LiVEJAM is where you can make those first steps to becoming a serious musician.
B1 TDG Building, 2-12-2 Nakane, Meguro-ku. Tel: 03-6421-3217. Open Wed-Sun 10am-6pm (summer hours). Nearest stn: Toritsu-Daigaku. www.livejam.co.jp/english
New World International School
New World International School is a preschool/kindergarten with a strong emphasis on play, crafts and English communication. With a curriculum focused on how children view and experience the world, the lessons and activities use music, chants, gestures and crafts to stimulate sight, sound and touch. Students aged 1-6 are encouraged to carry out daily tasks themselves with the motto “Help me do it by myself”; there’s also an after-school service for kids aged 1-12.
Children learn best when they are loved and encouraged in a safe, fun environment, and New World International School teachers build their self-esteem and pride in learning. With its small, cozy decor, NWIS feels like a second home to students and parents alike; family events throughout the year include a Christmas pageant, Sports Day, Family Day and more.
When it comes to learning languages, children’s’ brains are like sponges. By structuring activities and play around their natural desire to communicate, NWIS helps students become fluent in the same way they learn their first language. Benefiting from a strong focus on phonics, the school’s graduates typically read above their grade level.
Parents are encouraged to borrow books from the school’s library for reading time together at home, and lessons on phonics and English conversation are also offered to Mom and Dad to help them create an English environment.
Sengawa Avenue Annex 2, 1-24-38 Sengawa-cho, Chofu. Tel: 03-3305-0573.
Email: n.w.i.s@newworldinternationalschool.com.
www.newworldinternationalschool.com
Yokohama International Christian Academy
Yokohama International Christian Academy is an independent international school for boys and girls from kindergarten through age 12. As its name suggests, it offers a Christian-centered learning environment, but in fact YICA welcomes children of any faith, ethnicity or nationality, and strives to foster self-empowerment, mutual respect and responsible global citizenship among its pupils.
Highly qualified teachers and support staff from around the world foster an atmosphere of appreciation for diversity, as well as a deep respect for Japanese customs. A low teacher-to-student ratio means more flexibility: courses can be customized to suit the kids while encouraging them to do their best.
An Early Childhood Education program helps YICA’s youngest students embark on their educational journey with a sense of awe and wonder in an environment where they feel safe and excited to learn. Meanwhile, the elementary school academic program has been designed to spark students’ imaginations and to inspire them to study. A solid foundation in language arts, mathematics and science paves the way to the more challenging middle and high school programs, where a flexible, bespoke curriculum serves the specific needs and capabilities of each student. Language arts, history and geography, math, science and bible studies are supplemented with various secondary electives.
The school also offers an international after-school program, providing supervision for children from kindergarten to 5th grade in a fun, safe and friendly English-speaking environment.
Yokohama Chuo YMCA Building, 1-7 Tokiwa-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama. Tel: 045-226-2071. Email: yica_information@yica.co.jp; after-school email: yica_afterschool@yica.co.jp. www.yica.co.jp
Entertainers
Party Entertainment Japan
Whether he’s entertaining kids at a birthday party or celebrities in a swanky hotel, The Famous Mr. D (aka Dave Letendre) has been bringing the thrill of magic to Tokyo and Yokohama for over 35 years. And like a fine wine, he just gets better with age. Tailoring his act to suit each audience—be they kids, adults or seniors—The Famous Mr. D performs comedy, tricks and balloon sculpture to capture the imagination of revelers at birthday bashes, holiday parties, school events, company dos, weddings and more.
Dave has studied magic since he was 8 years old. He graduated from Sacred Heart University with a BS in social work, with additional course study in psychology, theology and philosophy. He first came to Japan as a member of the United States Air Force in 1969, and has been a continuous resident since 1974.
Dave began entertaining that same year, and since then his act has taken him all around Japan, including appearances in TV shows and commercials. He’s even entertained rock ’n’ roll royalty, at a party hosted by Keith Richards at the New Otani Hotel when the Rolling Stones where on a tour of Japan. Dave regularly performs tableside magic at The Cozy Crib Café in Toritsu-Daigaku and Ben’s Café in Takadanobaba. So if you’re looking to treat your crowd to a night of magic, The Famous Mr. D is your man.
Tel: 03-3489-5330, 090-8109-0279. Email: davidlet@gol.com. www2.gol.com/users/davidlet
Rene Bosman: Performer and Entertainer
A native of Holland who studied mime under the iconic Rob van Reijn, Rene Bosman is a stellar entertainer with a diverse and charming repertoire. As part of van Reijn’s troupe, Rene performed in theaters the world over; now based in Japan, he’s a sought-after entertainer at family events and parties, in addition to teaching workshops and performing in commercials, TV shows and onstage.
In addition to mime, Rene is an expert magician, juggler, acrobat, fencer, and ballet dancer. His performances range from Mozart’s “The Magical Flute” to more family-oriented pieces like Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” He also performs at birthday parties, weddings and company parties.
Rene is especially sought-after for children’s birthday parties—his boundless energy and engaging manner can carry a party from beginning to end, so that parents can sit back and relax. He can also organize performance workshops; indeed, he’s taught them at top international schools for 14 years. Or why not hire him as an MC (in both Japanese and English) for a wedding party—a live show and some table magic will add that extra bit of extravagance to the proceedings. If you’re very lucky, Rene might even make your mother-in-law disappear.
Tel: 090-4959-0160. Email: rene@bosman.jp. www.bosman.jp
And others...
Overburdened parents, rejoice: with Allerhand, innovation is in the bag—literally. The German brand produces the world’s largest range of satchels, backpacks, lunch totes and more, all designed with the demands of parenthood in mind. Each stylish, high-quality bag is suited to a different stage of life; the range grows with your family, from maternity through your kids’ school days and into their teenage years. Various sizes cater to both parents and children, with a series of smaller carry-alls for kindergarteners and spine-protected school backpacks for the older kids.
What makes Allerhand bags truly special is that they come crammed with the custom pockets and spaces any parent dreams of—special compartments for diapers and wipes, drink holders and zip-off lunchbox pouches, keeping essentials organized and within handy reach. They even include detachable pockets and pouches that can be used as part of the main bag or completely separately. Allerhand’s patented magnetic a-Click design lets you quickly and easily attach bags to buggies and prams.
Striking color combinations, sophisticated design and attention to quality and functionality have made Allerhand’s bags a hit in Japan, where they are available at such department stores as Takashimaya in Nihonbashi, Tokyu in Shibuya, Azabu National Supermarket in Hiroo, Isetan in Sagamihara, and more; they will soon arrive in further Isetan stores—Shinjuku, Fuchu and Matsudo—as well as at Mitsukoshi. The products are kind on the wallet, too: kids’ backpacks start at just ¥4,000.
Tel: 03-3369-1051. Email: japan@allerhand.com. www.allerhand.com
For all the creativity on display in Tokyo, it’s surprisingly hard to get hold of a custom-made birthday cake. But no more: Peace Of Cake bakes its wares according to your precise requirements rather than forcing you to choose from standard designs, flavors or sizes. It also delivers them free of charge to any address in Tokyo or Yokohama.
Peace Of Cake can create designs featuring Japanese or Western children’s characters; themed cakes with princesses, musical instruments, sports or animals; milestone birthday cakes for landmark occasions; and even sophisticated cheesecakes and ganache cakes for grown-ups. You can choose your own flavors, fillings, frostings and icing, from a family-sized sponge cake to a cake large enough for over 50 people. Made with the finest ingredients, the cakes taste every bit as good as they look. Check out the website for photos of past triumphs.
Peace Of Cake also offers matching cupcakes and cookies, which can be served alongside the main cake or given out as party favors, decorated with the names of each child attending the party. And it’s not just birthdays—Peace Of Cake can bake something special for Christmas, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, wedding anniversaries or any other occasion or party. Then again, with cakes this yummy, who needs a party at all?
Tel: 080-3816-6777. Email: hema@peaceofcake.biz. www.peaceofcake.biz
Think your kids are just lackadaisical layabouts who waste all their time mucking about with toys when they could be doing something more productive? Think again. It’s well-proven that playing is learning—a philosophy that Bornelund believes wholeheartedly. The chain, whose Roppongi branch opened in 2008 and is one of 77 stores nationwide, stocks a range of toys that have been carefully selected to support the healthy growth of your children.
Bornelund’s stores offer a warm, calm ambience. Kids and adults can explore thought-provoking, creative toys sorted into ten categories, each illustrating scenes from the everyday lives of children. The stores also have trained experts on hand who will help you choose toys appropriate for your child’s developmental level through a one-to-one consultation.
Most of Bornelund’s carefully selected merchandise is imported from Europe, and the 3,000-item inventory includes gifts for newborns, role-play toys, outdoor toys and even tricycles. Over its 30-year history, Bornelund has helped create the environment for many parks, kindergartens, nurseries, doctors’ offices and corporate buildings; as such, it also stocks educational toys for use in kindergartens, children’s furniture and interior-design items.
Roppongi Hills Hillside B2F, 6-10-2 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-5770-3390. Open 11am-9pm. Nearest stn: Roppongi. www.bornelund.co.jp
