For over 20 years, SCOA has been bringing American athletes and cheer dancers to Japan
for a truly unique cultural exchange with Japanese students.
SCOA’s Mission
- SCOA’s mission is to be a bridge between Japanese and American students so they can share their cultures, broaden their views and appreciate their differences.
- SCOA accomplishes this by bringing American athletes and Japanese campers together in an American camp setting in Japan.
Junior Camp Counselor Internship Program
- Open to current high school students who are near native level English speakers and who have a background in sports, cheerleading or dance.
- SCOA is an American overnight summer camp in Japan conducted in English.
- Japanese language ability is a plus but not required.
- Assist senior counselors who are mostly elite D1 American college athletes with campers and prepare for camp activities.
- Make friends with senior counselors from such universities as Princeton, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Stanford, Yale and Harvard.
- A unique cross-cultural experience ideal for college applications.
- Gain valuable experience in leadership, teamwork, communication and problem solving in a cross-cultural environment.
- May be able to use for volunteer hours required by your high school.
- Possible to participate in as little as five nights of camp sessions.
- Camp sessions are from July 19 to August 14.
- Food & lodging while at camp and domestic transportation to and from camp are covered.
- Past junior counselors have attended ASIJ, St. Mary’s International, Sacred Heart and Yokohama International.
Bilingual Camp Counselor Internship Program for University Students
- Open to college students and recent graduates residing in Japan and the U.S. who are bilingual in Japanese and English.
- Bilingual counselors support the senior counselors and provide communication assistance for the Japanese campers as well as assist in logistical and administrative camp tasks.
- Make friends with senior counselors from such universities as Princeton, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Harvard, Standford and Yale.
- A unique cross-cultural work experience to put on your resume.
- Gain hands-on experience with kids.
- Gain valuable experience in leadership, teamwork, communication and problem solving in a cross-cultural environment.
- Possible to participate in as little as five-nights of camp sessions.
- Food & lodging while at camp and domestic transportation to camp are covered along with a stipend.
2025 Senior Camp Counselors
- The 2025 senior camp counselors sports backgrounds included track & field, rowing, swimming, basketball, water polo and cheer.
- They attended Princeton, UCLA, USC, Colorado, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC San Diego, Caltech and Colorado.
Who are SCOA Campers?
- Most of the Japanese elementary and junior high campers are beginners in English, so nonverbal communication is important.
- The universal language of sports is ideal for communicating and making friends!
SCOA – More Than a Sports Camp!
- SCOA brings the American summer camp experience to Japan.
- Sports include football, soccer, cheer dance, ultimate frisbee and basketball, but campers also experience activities such as capture the flag, water balloon toss, potato sack race, talent shows, skits, friendship bracelets, campfires, S’mores and more!
