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Rotary International 2530D district community service mmittee

Reconstruction youth exchange parent-child camp tournament. 　　　　　　　　Koriyama south RC

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On the weekend of August 30-3 1 the Koriyama South RC held a reconstruction exchange camp for young people and their parents at the campsite of Shoshi Senior High School on the shore of Lake Inawashiro, a stone's throw from the magnificent Mount Bandai.
Three and a half years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake, but there are still many districts in Fukushima Prefecture that have not yet recovered. One of the reasons for the delay is the stigma caused by the nuclear power station accident following the earthquake. Family members and families with small children are continuing to move out of the prefecture.

Recognizing that the present is a most important time for disaster-hit young people, the Koriyama South Rotary Club endeavored to serve as a bridge of exchange with young people and their parents in the coastal region and concluded that an overnight camp was the best way to offer lots of fun and deepen exchange.

The aim of the camp was to stem the outflow of population from the prefecture as much as possible. Thanks to the efforts of all members, more than 120 people participated. The weather forecast for the weekend was a mixed bag of cloudy skies, sunshine, and some rain, but the camp got off to a good start with folk tale narrations and games. Koriyama City Mayor Masato Shinagawa also showed up, cheerfully answering random questions from the youngsters and posing for commemorative photos.

The mayor stayed for about an hour.
The camp then became even livelier with a fireworks display, barbecue, and campfire lit by experts.

Breakfast on the following day consisted of a special spicy curry prepared by the Koriyama South Rotary Club, after which all of the participants were presented with commemorative Rotary pin badges. The camp ended in a convivial atmosphere, making members believe that the aim of stemming the outflow of population from the prefecture as much as possible had been achieved.

Later thank-you emails, letters, and telephone calls were received from people who had participated in the camp, with many of them requesting that it be held again next year. Koriyama City Mayor Shinagawa also sent a letter of gratitude.