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Work with English Adventure

Make a Difference as an English Adventure Staff

Being part of English Adventure is one of the most rewarding jobs you can have. Every day, you’ll support and inspire campers, helping them grow and thrive in the outdoors. To do this, we seek extraordinary individuals who bring their best each and every day of the camp season.

Who We Are Looking For

Our team is made up of passionate, positive, and hard-working individuals who love working with children. English Adventure staff are role models who bring enthusiasm, responsibility, and creativity to every camper’s experience. Our diverse team includes educators, students, outdoor enthusiasts, sports coaches, and artists, united by their commitment to making a difference.

Our Core Values

At English Adventure, these principles guide everything we do:

  • Hard-Working and Playful: We thrive on the energy and joy of spending time with kids. From leading hikes and campfire singalongs to playing games and sharing laughs, we bring magic to every moment at camp. English Adventure staff members are caring, dynamic people who love to play and have tons of fun, yet never lose sight of safety and responsible leadership.

 

  • Professional: We take pride in the little details. Our team is versatile, organized, and adaptable, able to juggle multiple tasks while maintaining high standards. We believe in doing things right and have built a sterling reputation as one of Japan’s leading outdoor camp companies.

 

  • Dependable: Children and parents rely on us, and we take that responsibility seriously. Our staff keep our promises, make thoughtful decisions, and handle tough situations with care and confidence. Our integrity builds trust with both the families we serve and the staff we work with alike.
  • Humble and Grateful: We want to celebrate everyone’s contributions. Whether it’s supporting a fellow team leader or applauding a child’s first attempt at a new skill, we approach every day at camp with an appreciation for the chance to make a difference.

 

  • Warm and Positive in Our Relationships: We all thrive in an atmosphere of kindness and respect. We create strong bonds through open communication, empathy, and encouragement, ensuring every camper and camp staff feels valued, supported, and safe.

 

  • Growth-Oriented: We embrace the journey of learning and improving. No matter your role on the camp team, we continuously seek feedback, welcome new ideas, and strive to grow alongside the children we guide. Together, we create an inspiring environment that fosters curiosity, resilience, and success.
Why join us?

 At English Adventure, you’ll create unforgettable experiences, nurture children’s growth, and build lifelong memories in the heart of Japan’s beautiful countryside. As part of our team, you’ll gain leadership skills, personal growth and will make a lasting impact on children’s lives.

Spring Ski Camp 2025 Schedule 

  • March 20-23: Onsite Staff Training – depart March 19 evening from Tokyo station
  • March 27-31 (5 day camp): Session 1

Summer Camp 2025 

  • Online Training for new staff: July 7 and July 8, 18:00-20:00 (staff will attend one of the two sessions)
  • Onsite Training: July 12-15 (departure from Tokyo to the campsite on July 11 evening and return to Tokyo station on July 15)
  • Camp Sessions 1-8: July 29 – August 20  (most of the team leaders/camp counselors will work all of the odd or even numbered sessions)

Odd Session Dates

Session 1: July 19 – 23

Session 3: July 27 – July 31

Session 5: August 4 – 8

Session 7: August 12 – 16

Even Session Dates

Session 2: July 23 – 27

Session 4: July 31 – August 4

Session 6: August 8 -12

Session 8: August 16 – 20

Private Junior High School Camp 

  • August 25: Tokyo Training (tentative)
  • August 26-28 Camp (3 day session in Tsunan)

September Elementary School Camp (Japanese speakers needed)

  • September 3,4,5 (3 day camp in Tsunan)

Fall Junior High School Camp

  • September 24: onsite staff training
  • September 25-28: camp session in Tsunan
  • Age 18 or older
  • Available for all training dates and all camp days (please check the dates below)
  • A strong desire to help kids have a blast and make the most of their camp experience
  • A very confident high-level skiing ability and willingness to learn ski instructing techniques (for ski camps)
  • For domestic applicants, a visa that allows you to work in Japan (work permit for Student visa holders and additional permission for Instructor visa holders)
  • For overseas volunteers, a passport that allows you to travel to Japan on a tourist visa for 90 days (list of applicable countries here: https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html
  • Ability to travel from Tokyo Station to the campsite in Tsunan, Niigata 
  • Willingness to abide by our no tolerance policy for alcohol, drugs and tobacco at camp
  • Ski instructor experience and/or certification (for ski camps)
  • Previous experience working with kids in a camp environment
  • Japanese language ability
  • Outdoor skills (climbing, rafting, hiking, camping, etc.)
  • Teaching/leadership experience in outdoor settings
  • Current CPR/First Aid certification

Ready to Apply?

Join us and become the heart of English Adventure and help create magic for campers and other staff alike. Apply today and let’s make unforgettable memories together!

If you are applying as an overseas volunteer staff (list of applicable countries here): these are the camp roles you can apply for:

Summer Camp Team Leader

Lead a room of campers through 5 days at camp to ensure their entire camp experience is safe, fun, and memorable. Attention to each individual camper is key to this role.  In this position, you will supervise a group of about 8 campers through various camp activities including: wake up and bedtimes, mealtimes, camp activity times and free times. Team Leaders are also expected to stay in rooms with campers at night. 

This is a hybrid position, in which you will be a Ski instructor to a group of seven to ten kids during the morning and afternoon ski sessions and a Room Leader the remaining time. Outside of our ski activities, you will supervise campers to ensure their entire camp experience is safe, fun, and memorable. You may lead campers who speak near-native English, or who are still learning English. For all campers, the ski camp is a chance to practice and improve their skiing abilities as well as their English with your help.

Activity Leaders will lead camp activities like forest games, kayaking, bouldering, low ropes, swimming, crafts, tie-dye and field games. Activity Leaders are responsible for leading campers through daily activities, planning fun and engaging activities for each age group, making safety decisions based on campers’ ability levels and helping to develop and set new activity content.

Support Staff will be on the ground proactively supporting our camp program and activities. While interaction with campers is still key to your role, you will not be in charge of your own group of campers. You will be assigned to set up camp activities, support Activity Leaders and the campers, and work with camp managers on ensuring all camp activities run smoothly and on time.

Got questions?

I see that EA accepts both domestic and overseas applicants. How do I know which situation applies to me?

Anyone that has or will have a visa to Japan with work authorization for the duration of their employment with EA should apply as a domestic applicant. This includes working holiday visas and most student/dependent visas. If you can only obtain a tourist visa, we are happy to consider your application under our program for overseas volunteers. English Adventure does not provide any assistance or sponsorship in obtaining any type of Japanese visas.

Unfortunately, we can only accept applications from people who are available for all camp and training dates for our upcoming camps.

Staff sleep in shared rooms of anywhere from 4-10 people. Team Leaders should expect to be sharing sleeping quarters with a group of campers and be responsible for supervising them as well. Our rooms are a mixture of Western and Japanese-style.

We plan our menus carefully and on a rotation, so you will not be eating the same thing the whole summer. Meals are served buffet style so you can eat whatever dishes you like and can choose your portion size.

 Our facilities are Japanese style, with several shower stations arranged around a large communal bath. We do also have a very small number of private showers.

On the first day of each camp session, staff will meet near Tokyo Station around 7:00am, and will return to the same location around 6:00pm on the last day of each session.

We will provide successful applicants with a full packing list detailing what exactly to bring. Wristwatches and water bottles are a must for all camps.

Almost all staff will be returning to Tokyo between sessions, and we ask them to take care of their own laundry there. For staff who remain behind at camp between sessions, they will be able to do their laundry on-site.

All of our camps have  a 100% no smoking policy.

For domestic applicants

How and when does EA pay salaries?

EA will transfer your salary payment to your Japanese bank account on the 15th day of the month following work. For example, for work done between July 1 and July 31, you will be paid on August 15.

EA will deduct income tax from your salary. Your taxation rate will change whether you are considered a resident or a non-resident of Japan. Below is a summary of the two statuses. If you wish to know more about taxation in Japan, please refer to the National Tax Agency for more details.

  • Residents: Income Tax Rate = Approximately 1-3% of your daily rate
  • Who is considered a resident?
    – Someone who has a domicile in Japan, OR
    – Has a residence in Japan continuously for more than one year
  • Non-Residents: Income tax rate = 20.42% of your daily rate

* Who is considered a non-resident?
– Working Holiday Visa holders
– Someone who has a residence in Japan continuously for less than one year
– Japanese citizen who has been abroad for over a year

Unfortunately, EA is only able to transfer salaries directly to Japanese domestic bank accounts.

For overseas volunteer applicants

What kind of visa do I need to volunteer with EA?

You need to get a tourist visa for Japan, valid from your arrival until your departure. For example, citizens of the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK are able to obtain a 90-day tourist visa upon arrival to Japan, without prior application.

Citizens of other countries, please check here whether or not you are eligible for a 90-day tourist visa upon arrival.

If you hold or are able to obtain a working visa for Japan, please apply as a domestic applicant.

English Adventure is not able able to provide assistance in obtaining a working visa in Japan.

EA will reimburse your airfare upon full completion of all camp days worked. No advance payment is possible. All reimbursements will be made on the 15th of the following month or by announced camp schedule.

We recommend receiving your reimbursement in cash. If you prefer, we are also able to reimburse through Paypal. However, please note that Paypal charges fees of around 3% of the amount, which are your own responsibility.

Yes bank cards from foreign countries can be used widely here, particularly those compatible with the “Plus” or “Cirrus” networks. We recommend you confirm with your bank prior to travel. As a side note, you should bring at least some cash with you and exchange it to yen at the airport in case of an issue withdrawing money from back home.

During your work days at camp you will stay at English Adventure’s mountain site. This site is located in Tsunan, Niigata, about 3 hours from Tokyo. Team Leaders will stay in shared accommodation in nearby Nozawaonsen during their off days while Support Staff and Activity Leaders will be onsite the entire season. 

Of course! We encourage you to spend as much time as you possibly can in this awesome country.

Please remember as well that English Adventure will only provide accommodation for the period of your contract with us.

Yes, you need to buy travel insurance. Please make sure that the insurance will cover you for medical care for at least the period of time you’ll be working with EA, and that the terms of the insurance allow you to engage in volunteer work.

Follow our adventures!

Check out our staff instagram page here and imagine spending your next summer or winter season with us!