The Camp / Super Camp Japan

With coaches who are at the forefront of the Australian ski industry, 15 metres of snow and the experience of living in Japan with other keen skiers and riders, fun times are guaranteed. The Camp is renowned for its innovative ‘step by step’ coaching approach, allowing everyone to progress at their own pace, while providing the stimulation and facilities necessary for you to take your riding to the next level.

Niseko boasts the perfect platform for the new age freestyler. There are parks with booters and rails at almost every resort, and the place kills it when it comes to natural hits and backcountry. The best place to progress is launching off the backcountry booters into perfect powder landings. Once tricks are nailed here, they are taken to the park and perfected!

The Super Camp is our most popular and successful program. Why? 'Cause we can turn even the dodgiest day punter into a pro. Make sure you don't get lost in the crowds of other ski and snowboard camps, and be a part of the best camp program going around. If you're after a great time, with fantastic riding, the 6 week Super Camp is the only place to be this summer! 

On the Super Camp you'll develop the coolest tricks and master your skills with the best coaches in the world, and get some amazing life and cultural experiences while you're at it. You'll also explore what Hokkaido has to offer with a wide variety of off-snow activities. Running for the last 10 years, the Super Camp has the best coaches, coolest lodgings, and terrain that was hand built by the snow Gods. This is without a doubt going to be the best experience of your life!

Training on the Super Camp is centered around fast tracking your development as a rider and skier. Setting personal goals is the best way to gear a training program to your specific needs. That's why at the start of the camp we will help you map out your strengths and weaknesses, and your short and long term goals to be achieved on the camp. Unlike some larger programs, you will get to sit down with your coaches regularly to review and adjust your goals. If your up to the challenge you can leave the camp as the next Shaun White or Tanner!

Everyone is on the Super Camp for the same reason, and the friends you will make will last forever! Everyone wants to develop their skills, learn new things, meet new friends, experience a different culture and most importantly, have FUN!

INCLUSIONS
Accommodation
2 hearty meals per day plus snacks
Airport Transfers to/from Sapporo International Airport (New Chitose)*
All lift passes
Coaching from our live-in coaches and special guests
Activities
Transport to/from all resorts and activities
Rusutsu and Chisenupuri day trips
Night skiing/boarding
Personal short and long term goal setting and review sessions
Video training and analysis
Specialised Industry Education Seminars
High speed wireless internet Access
Feature packed end-of-camp DVD

Moiwa Lodge

Moiwa Lodge is located right on the slopes of Niseko-Moiwa. The ski-in/ski-out access is the envy of other accommodations in the Niseko area. Having your breakfast overlooking the slopes of Niseko will be all the motivation you need to get the first tracks of the day!

Moiwa Lodge is a traditional large Japanese ski lodge, with 4 stories of facilities, including: dinning hall, ski room, drying room, TV and DVD in each room, large communal area and wireless internet. There's plenty of space to relax, hang out and unwind at the end of the day.

The lodge has many of the mod-cons, but still has the cool Japanese feel that you come to Japan for. During your stay at Moiwa Lodge you will stay in separate male/female bunk accommodation. Each room has its own TV, DVD and mini fridge.

Moiwa Lodge provides a fantastic base to explore the area. Roll out of bed, put your gear on, and you have powder out the door. There is no better place to experience all that a Japanese winter has to offer ... endless snow, fantastic terrain, great food and amazing people.

Moiwa Lodge's friendly and fun environment is unparalleled in any other camp. We want to make sure you have a great time in an awesome environment - you'll love it!

Nick Franklin-Jones - Program Director

For the last 5 years Nick has shined in his role as Program Director. Nick’s experience speaks for itself, 23 years of skiing and 15 years of professional Instructing/Coaching.

He holds certificates from APSI, ISIA, SSA, Freestyle Level 1 and the Canadian Avalanche Association. He is currently the K2 Australian ski representative and Team Manager and spends his weekends as Head Freeride coach for Mt Buller’s successful TBR program. His dedication and experience to providing high quality programs will guarantee that every moment is a memorable one.

Programs: All

Mark Amadio - Head Freestyle Coach - Japan

Mark Amadio returns in 2010 and heads The Camp coaching team in Japan. Mark resides in JIndabyne NSW where he also heads the snowboard division of the Perisher Winter Sports Club.  His organisation and commitment to creating a fun learning environment ensures progressive and enjoyable learning.  And for further refinements and group handling skills,  Mark can also  boast APSI level 2 qualifications and is committed to ensuring your stay is one you will never forget.

Check out Mark's profile at snowboardermag.com.au.....  

http://www.snowboardermag.com.au/news/feature-stories/2217-introducing-mark-amadio

Sponsors:

Drake
Northwave
Nomis
Lern Clothing

Programs:

Lucas McGrath - Snowboard Coach

Lucas Macgrath could be called a Camp success story.  After being a camper himself in 2001 when The Camps were based in Canada, he returned as a guest coach in 2003 and will now join us in Japan in 2010/11.  More recently, Lucas has been getting solid consistent competition results and starred in the opening footage of the Australian snowboard film "First Draft" and the "Development" in 2006.  The Camp is stoked to have him back on the team for the 2010/11 season.

Sponsors:

Technine
Nomis Outerwaer
Third Chapter Clothing

Programs:

Andre Bennett - Ski Coach

Dre's humour and wit is displayed in his coaching techniques.  If he is not having fun then he is not skiing.  His love for the sport, natural skiing ability and structural training, including qualifications from the APSI and SSA freestyle level one, rounds him out as a great coach, always looking for a fun time.  An ex-Camper, Dre spends his Aussie winters at Mt Buller Victoria as a Team Buller coach. Creating a fun learning environment, using structural coaching techniques and rounding his day off with situational learning makes the time spent with Dre both educational and fun.

Sponsors:

Line Skis
Full Tilt Boots
Marker Bindings
Sessions Outerwear
Empire

Programs:

We understand that the decision to send your child away overseas can be a difficult and nerve racking experience. Therefore we have compiled some information that may assist you in making the choice. We are confident that you will enjoy your child’s experience away as much as they will. The stories they will come home with, the personal development they will undergo, and the unique travel experience available on the Super Camp, will make for one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives.

Safety

The safety and well being of your child is The Camp’s number one concern. We have a very high staff to camper ratio for this very reason. In the event of an accident, the meticulous English speaking Niseko ski patrol are there to deal with any incident. Any major accidents are referred by ski patrol to the local hospital at Kutchan or any of Hokkaido’s first class medical facilities. In addition, program staff have completed and hold current First Aid Certificates and are equipped to deal with unexpected situations. Camp staff are well versed in our medical response plan, which has been developed through close consultation with experts in the field. In the event of an emergency, parents or family will be contacted immediately by a member of The Camp staff.

Helmet Policy
For the safety of all campers, it is a requirement that a helmet is worn at all times whilst riding on any of our programs.

Supervision

The Camp takes the safety, supervision and well-being of its participants very seriously. The careful and responsible supervision of all campers is a key component in ensuring everyone remains well looked after for their entire stay. Although Japan is one of the safest countries in the world, kids can still get up to mischief. The Camp have implemented many policies and measures to ensure that all campers enjoy a safe and incident free environment. We are in the unique and enviable position to be able to house all camp staff and campers in the same lodge, giving unprecedented security and leadership, but also providing campers with ideal role models, support and guidance. It also allows us to maintain close but unimposing supervision.

Camp staff have current first aid certifications, undergo police checks, and arrive weeks before campers to complete staff training programs. All camp activities are supervised, and our child protection policy and camp operating procedures have been designed through consultation with professionals in their field.

Housing/Food

The Super Camp offers a unique warm and relaxed environment for campers while they are away. This ensures that campers are in a safe environment and are as comfortable as they would be in their own homes. We make sure everyone has a great time and keeps out of mischief!Our accommodation is original in the way that all our staff, coaches and campers live together in the lodge while they are away. This is not only fantastic for providing campers with unimposing supervision but also for forming bonds and friendships among the staff, coaches and campers. The coaches and staff prove to be great role models and friends for those under 18.

The Super Camp caters for vegetarians and any food allergies. All our meals are prepared daily and ensure that campers are eating the right amounts of healthy and nutritious food to keep their energy levels up and get the most out of their days.

Campers treat their rooms as if it were their own. This means they are also expected to clean up after themselves! While most campers are initially shocked to hear this, we find that after the first week or so they are cleaning their bedrooms better that you can believe! We don’t provide daily chores for campers but instead expect them to clean up after themselves and pull their own weight. When you are living with so many people it becomes noticeable who does not pull their weight and that is soon rectified! It is also amazing how fast the threat of “no snow until bedrooms are cleaned” really works!

Contact with home

Staying in touch with home is very easy from Japan. An easy and cost effective way to keep in touch is via email or Skype. Each camper has internet access, and can check and send messages whenever they please. Skype is a relatively inexpensive way to phone home (approx 9c per minute). If you have a Skype account yourself then it is free. Incoming calls are also easy for the Super Camp as the lodge has an English-speaking receptionist. The numbers of the lodge will be provided to you before your child departs for Japan.

For urgent matters, you can always email The Camp staff on info@thecamp.net. This is checked 4-5 times a day during the Super Camp, or alternatively, you can call any of Super Camp staff mobile phone numbers - These numbers will be published on the web site before the commencement of the Super Camp. The best thing about Japan is that there is only 1-2 hours difference between Australian time and Japan time.

Web site

The Camp’s web site is the best way to keep in touch with what happens each day on the Super Camp. Every day, www.thecamp.net is updated with news, journals, videos and photos from the day. We highly recommend that each parent and friend log on daily! It has been a big hit in the past. We were the first camp in the world to provide daily updates, photos, videos and journals for its entire duration and continue to be the best at brining it to you.

Goal Setting

Our staff understand the need for direction in the development of our campers’ skills. A fundamental part of this process is the implementation of goals, and their regular review. At the start of our Super Camp, coaches sit down with each camper to develop both short and long term goals, helping to establish what each camper wants to achieve from their time with us. The short term goals are reviewed with coaches regularly, to help ensure that campers are on track to achieving their long term goals. This also allows coaches to structure the lesson plans with these goals in mind. We will send all campers a goal setting questionnaire before they depart for Japan. These are to be completed and taken to Japan for discussion with coaches.

Snow Sense

An important part of any skier/boarder's development centres around their knowledge of both their sport and its environment. Our coaches constantly try to educate campers in 'on snow' common sense (snow sense), in an informal setting. Snow sense covers areas such as, on hill safety, awareness, ethics and respect for other mountain users. We encourage all campers to understand their place on the mountain, and their obligations under the Alpine Responsibility Code. No one likes an irresponsible brat on the hill! We make sure that every one of our campers has on-snow know how, and respect for their peers.

Fitness

An active lifestyle is important for everyone, and we make sure that our campers stay active! Coaches play an integral part in the general fitness of campers. You can be sure your child will be leaving the camp much fitter than they came! Regular exercise and games take place between all the Super Camp crew. All of these activities are aimed at increasing the general fitness of campers and increasing trunk stability and balance - both are important tools in skiing and snowboarding.

The powder mecca! It receives 15m of snowfall each year - that's 6m more than Whistler, double Aspen or any resort in Europe, and 12m more than any resorts in Australia and New Zealand! It's no secret that Niseko is the new hotspot for skiers and riders around the globe. If you want tons of powder, a big terrain park, huge back-country terrain, and a brilliant cultural experience, then this is the place for you!

The Niseko area is made up of 4 resorts - Annupuri, Higashiyama, Grand Hirafu (Consisting of Hirafu and Hanazono) and Moiwa. The Super Camp use all 4 of these resorts! The Niseko-United lift ticket allows you to ski/ride at 3 resorts - Annupuri, Hirafu/Hanazono and Higashiyama. All the resorts offer terrific skiing and riding, with Higashiyama offering the best inbounds steeps, Annupuri the best backcountry, and Hirafu/Hanazono the best park and pipe.

Generally regarded as 'Niseko', the town of Hirafu is where most tourists end up, however with almost no effort, you can be riding better, less crowded terrain on the nearby connected resorts of Annupuri, Higashiyama and Moiwa. Unlike most other programs, you will have the chance to ride all 4 of these terrific resorts.