Rokkosan YMCA Global Learning Center
Camp Leaders
YMCA Camp Rokko was established in 1951 as a youth outdoor education facility and is surrounded by lush nature.
It is the perfect place where an international group of young people can share, learn & have fun together. Programs teach love and respect for nature, as well as the importance of multicultural understanding and world peace. Set on top of Mt. Rokko overlooking Kobe city, it is a unique and convenient location to hold not only camps but also conferences, as it has the necessary facilities to run workshops and seminars in a beautiful natural setting.
A vital part of the Global Learning Center, Mt. Rokko Camp Leader Interns will be responsible for planning, leading and overseeing youth and international camp based educational activities and programs in English, and provide assistance and support to Rokkosan YMCA staff with camp programs delivered in Japanese. Programs/activities include: canoeing, outdoor cooking, arts and crafts, campfire, hiking, team building, indoor/outdoor group games etc. As such, those interested in these positions must be experienced or enjoy working with children. They must also have the physical ability to lead and participate in the activities mentioned above, as well as: light lifting, occasional heavy lifting and moving of materials around campsite. All interns will also support and assist with campsite upkeep along with preparations and pack-downs for the Global Youth Conference (GYC) which is held at Rokkosan YMCA. During the GYC all interns will provide support to participants as leaders for some activities. (i.e Running the orientation icebreakers, outdoor games session and campfire and providing guidance and direction for conference participants.) Participants must be prepared to test themselves physically and work and live in an environment surrounded solely by nature.
Personal and Professional Learning Opportunities
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Exposure to Japanese culture through interacting with staff and different user groups
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Meeting and creating life lasting relationships with people from around the world, allowing the chance to share and learn about different cultures
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Hands on planning and implementation of a variety of campsite activities
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Working with mentors and individuals who can offer exposure to new opportunities to aspire towards
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Provide training and mentorship support to fellow interns and other less experienced interns
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Developing and gaining life skills such as leadership, public speaking skills, cultural awareness, confidence, teamwork, acceptance and independence
What would your role and responsibilities look like?
Main responsibilities
What else can you expect and look forward to?
The Global Learning Center has the following facilities:
• Accommodation for 150 - 180 people
• Various conference and training rooms
• Outdoor sports and activity area
• Water sports activity lake (canoeing)
• Hiking trails
• Shared Laundry facilities - washing machine only, no dryer
• Wifi access* limited to certain locations
• Drink vending machines
• Main dining hall
• Japanese style public bath *private bath available. (Shampoo & Body soap available)
**Please inform us in advance if you are uncomfortable using the public bath.
**Wi-fi is available but recommended to bring your own portable wi-fi or to rent one.
Regarding Meals and facilities during internship:
Meals will be supplied and served in the dining hall at the Rokkosan YMCA, following a fixed schedule which must be respected. There is an easily accessible small shop approximately 200 meters down the road from the camp facility that sells some basic food items. There is also a small kitchen, equipped with a fridge, at the back of the office that can be used for cooking and food storage.
The room adjacent to the main office will be available for interns to work, have meetings, relax and store any belongings used throughout their daily work.
All interns will stay in shared rooms at the campsite and may be asked to change rooms depending on guest numbers and room type requests throughout the season.
During summer, Rokkosan YMCA is subject to hot and humid weather. There is no air conditioning at the campsite but fans are provided.
What should you bring?
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Outdoor wear/Sportswear - interns will also be provided with a camp t-shirt
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If you have any other YMCA t-shirts, please bring them to wear while you are at Rokko.
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Comfortable sneakers and outdoor sandals
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Toiletries
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Insect Repellent (there are a lot of bugs around)
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Anti-Itch/Bug Bite Cream/Ointment
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Towels are provided, so bringing your own is not a necessity
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Laptop
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Laptop charger and adapters
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Portable Wifi or SIM Card
**There will be lots of instances when interns need to do research, put together information and design camp programs and activities. We normally use Google Drive to share on-going work documents and pictures taken throughout the summer.
**Wifi is available at Rokkosan YMCA but, given the remote mountain area, network connectivity is not very consistent and certain locations get better connection than others. At the moment, AU is considered to be the best network operator for the Rokko area, so we advise interns to choose this operator when getting SIM cards or portable wifis (pocket wifis). Please understand that, even with AU, connectivity issues are still possible at times.
**This is a somewhat isolated location in the mountains and, aside from a very small convenience store with limited stock, there are no nearby supermarkets. Please make sure to get enough personal essentials (medication, contact lens solution, etc.) before coming up the mountain.
Hear from interns about their experience!
Global Learning Center
Rokkosan YMCA
875 Kita Rokko, Rokkosancho, Nada Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 657-0101
078-891-0050
