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What is “Forest Naughty Adventure School”?
A mountain lodge located in a location with a great view
``Mori no Wanpaku Adventure School'' is a specified non-profit organization (NPO) that aims to foster a healthy and rich mind through sports, play, agriculture, forestry, and other natural environment experiences for youth and children. Established in July 2016, we are active mainly in Fukuyama Kogen, Chikusa Kogen, Okumi, Sayo Town in Hyogo Prefecture, and Higashiawakura in Okayama Prefecture.
Children from kindergartens and nursery schools come here on Fengzan Highlands for field trips, and in winter they enjoy playing in the snow, sledding, and building kamakura next to the mountain huts.
What was originally a company resort has been renovated into a stylish mountain lodge with a sense of openness. Currently, it is being renovated so that it can be used for overnight stays. The chairman is Junjiro Fukunaga, a former teacher at a prefectural high school in Hyogo Prefecture. He operates a mini excavator himself and is also working on the exterior in front of the mountain lodge.
Inside the mountain hut is a stylish space
Take a nap in a hammock
When you enter the room, you'll be greeted with a spectacular view from an altitude of 950m, and a wood-burning stove in the center of the room will warm you up.
Warms you to the core
The children seemed very interested in the large wood-burning stove that they don't see in the city. When the adults warn them, ``It's hot if you touch it,'' everyone stands back and watches intently. This kind of experience also leads to learning for children.
The swinging chair is also full of fun
In summer, you can see a sky full of stars. You can also observe the stars at the mountain hut.
After greetings from Mr. Fukunaga and the staff, today's participants took turns introducing themselves.
Let's leave now!
We took a commemorative photo at the so-called "Totoro Forest", which is about a 10-minute walk from the mountain hut. The air is clean and the refreshing breeze feels good, and it's a forest that looks like Totoro might be there.
Feeling like Heidi? Spectacular swing
Let's rise as high as we can towards the sky
All of the play equipment, including the giant swing located on the slope, was handmade by Mr. Fukunaga. They think about the shape of the tree and the topography, and think about play equipment that matches that. When we took advantage of the downhill slope to ride a swing that made a large arc, the children were afraid to swing on the swing at first, but once they got used to it, they started swinging wildly.
``It's completely different from the swings in the park, and it's fun!'' Many children were having fun with their eyes shining!
And after that...
Adults can have fun too!
Highly difficult! Try rope climbing
This is a single rope, which is more difficult than a swing. The trick is to place your feet on the knots in several places, then pull the upper rope with your hands to climb. The boy who tried it for the first time was able to climb high with the help of Mr. Fukunaga and the staff.
Even adults can't afford to lose. When I made it to the top, I couldn't help but cheer.
Is balance important? two seater swing
This is a wide swing. It's even more difficult for two people to ride together due to the weight difference.
Very popular with children! zip line
Let's start with the staff's example.
Zipline is a zip line where you move quickly from one end to the other by holding on to a rope hanging from a pulley. The children come together and say, ``I want to do this!'' But first, I have to give an explanation. The children listened with serious expressions as the staff explained in easy-to-understand terms where to hold and how to stop. and···
It's a wonderful slide! Even if you land dynamically and with a limp, it won't hurt because you're on a fluffy leaf.
Some kids start climbing trees...
Although it is not play equipment, some children have started climbing trees. The children saw this and followed suit. It looks like it's going to be a lot of fun to climb while adults are watching and telling each other where to put their feet.
Build a secret base together
Finally, we piled up large branches and sticks and created a secret base together.
It takes two adults to remove thick branches.
Conversations such as ``Should we put it on top of this?'' and ``What if we layered this area to form a roof?'' were exchanged, and both adults and children worked together to imagine and create.
with adult support
The children are also very serious. It's interesting to see each child's individuality come out, such as the child who works hard to carry branches, the child who notices the details, and the child who gives advice to everyone while looking at the overall shape.
Commemorative photo taken after completion. It became a good memory of today.
The importance of playing in nature
Play also plays a role in building bonds between parents and children
``Nowadays, there are many children who don't take immediate action when they fall. They just hit their face,'' says Fukunaga. ``Reflexes are greatly influenced by how you play and spend your time in childhood.The things you need to survive, such as motor skills, explosive power, basic muscle strength and flexibility, are acquired when you are exposed to plenty of freedom outside when you are a child. I think it develops and acquires skills through play," he says.
The children themselves feel that the games they played in their childhood strengthened their bodies and minds, and at the same time, they also developed communication skills and other ``zest for life.''
In addition, when I was a high school teacher, I met many children who were not attending school or were withdrawn from school, and through playing with them in nature, I was able to improve myself through various experiences, which led to the establishment of ``Forest Wanpaku Adventure School.'' Looking back, I think it gave me an opportunity to do so.
``Playing to the fullest in nature helps children develop a rich mind and healthy body.It's an irreplaceable time for both parents and children,'' says Fukunaga.
``Forest Wanpaku Adventure School'' plans fun events that match the seasons, such as playing in the river in the summer, rice planting in the fall, and playing in the snow in the winter. We look forward to your participation.
(writer ako)
*This article is information as of May 2023. Prices include tax. Product contents and prices may change.
“Forest Wanpaku School” participation application page
basic information
Forest Naughty Adventure School Fengzan Sanso
Address: Kamioda, Kamikawa-cho, Kanzaki-gun, Hyogo Prefecture, 679-3125
Phone number: 079-265-5017 (representative home)
Access: [By train] Get off at Teramae Station on the Bantan Line. If only children are participating, the staff will pick them up at Teramae Station. [By car] Get off at Kanzaki Minami IC on the Bantan Expressway, Mineyama Kogen Resort White Peak Turn left about 500m before
Parking: Yes
HP: https://Forest Naughty Adventure School.com
SNS: Instagram
