Takino Overnight trip for Middle Schoolers

On February 21st and 22nd, the middle schoolers of Hokkaido International School embarked on a journey to Takino. The Takino overnight trip occurs every year, and this year was no exception. When the students arrived, they went into the big gym and hung out for a while. But soon, the students found themselves outside in fresh snow, snowshoeing in the woods; having a great time. Later they ate lunch, played capture the flag, went tubing, played dodgeball, got their rooms, and ate dinner. The next day the students went cross-country skiing, ate food, and packed up. The trip was a success and the students all agreed it was fun.

The Snowshoeing

On the first day, the students enjoyed snowshoeing in the woods. They all got their snowshoes and after a while of having trouble getting the shoes on, the students embarked on a journey into the woods.

Student Perspective

Q.) How was the snowshoeing?

A.) The snowshoeing trip represents life, as it had hard aspects, but resulted in happiness.

- Zion Kim

The Activities in the Gym

On the first day, the students played dodgeball and had fun in the gymnasium of the Takino overnight building. The previous week, before the trip, the students arranged themselves into groups, created a chant and flag, and elected a leader. During dodgeball, the groups fought in these teams and attempted to earn points.

Student Perspective

Q.) What was the best part of the games in the GYM?

A.) The dodgeball games were the best.

- Jun Smith

The Tood

On all of the days, the students were provided with delicious food that they ate in the cafeteria. The food was laid out buffet-style, and the students enjoyed serving themselves.

Student Perspective

Q.) What was the best meal?

A.) The dinner on the first day was the best because there was juicy meat such as deep-fried chicken and sausages.

- Zion Kim

The Rooms, The Sleep

During the intersection of the first and second days, the students all went to sleep in their new rooms. The students shared the rooms with other classmates, and the boys and girls were separated onto different floors. On the first day, the students got their rooms sorted out, while the last day was reserved for cleaning up the room—putting it back to the state they received it.

Student Perspective

Q.) How well did you sleep?

A.) In my room, one of the kids was telling scary stories to the others, and during the night, one of the students kept on sleepwalking and punching us in his sleep, so I didn't get that much sleep. But the rooms were nice.

- Kowa Schlosser

The Cross-Country Skiing

On the second day, the students all went cross-country skiing in the forests of Takino. Many of the paths were uphill and were very tiring but all of the students finished the course in the end. Cross-country skiing was a good exercise for the kids. And it will be remembered as a tiring but character-building activity.

Student Perspective

Q.) How was the cross-country skiing?

A.) It was extremely tiring and despite the cold weather, I still felt like I was sitting in an oven.

- Kowa Schlosser

At the end of the trip, the students reluctantly got onto the two buses and returned to school. On the ride home, the students recounted the amazing memories that they had collected while playing dodgeball, sleeping, eating, and cross-country skiing. Despite the exhaustion from the activities. The exhaustion was from the satisfaction of a great experience.