Baking bread on a stick. Yum! STEVEN WONG
Irrespective of how many times the teachers checked the weather report, the forecast remained the same. A typhoon was imminent and was close to making landfall. Luckily, with some adjustments to the schedule, Katoh Gakuen’s Kindergarten Camp 2011 was salvaged and nearly all K3 children (ages 5–6) attended.
The camp was condensed into one day so the children didn’t spend the night, but they still had a marvellous time, first learning how to knead dough, and then going trekking around the breathtaking campsite as the bread was rising. Upon their return, the dough was wrapped around a bamboo stick and baked slowly over a hot fire. Eaten with blueberry jam, the light-brown warm bread was the perfect snack right after a good walk.
A shortened trip didn’t stop the “fire god” from coming. Wearing ancient Roman garb and a laurel on his head while holding a torch of fire, the white-bearded sage comes every year to light the school’s campfire. After lighting the fire and encouraging the children to be good, the fire god made his exit.
The students then celebrated with camp songs in both English and Japanese and enjoyed toasted marshmallows. The night was topped off with a spectacular display of colourful fireworks.
In the end, the typhoon didn’t stop Katoh’s kindergarteners. Camp 2011 was deemed a success — and ended with a bang! — STEVEN WONG
