Application Deadline is
April 30 2025
For over 19 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, Arizona and Colorado
- 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 21 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
- Open to college students and recent graduates residing in Japan and the U.S. who are bilingual in Japanese and English
- SCOA is an American overnight summer camp in Japan conducted in 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, Arizona and Colorado
- 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
Athletes and Cheer Dancers!
- Open to U.S. college students and recent graduates who participated in a team sport, cheer or dance in high school or college and are native level English speakers.
- SCOA has relationships with many university athletic departments including the PAC 12 and University of California campuses
- Non-paid internship, but airfare, food & lodging covered along with lodging while sightseeing in Tokyo
- Counselors come to Japan for five weeks starting around mid-July and stay until the third week of August.
- Training in Japan prior to camp which includes cross-cultural training and techniques in using nonverbal communication.
- At least one counselor with a cheer and dance background is selected because cheer dance is a camp activity.
Why be a SCOA Camp Counselor?
- Over 200 athletes and cheer dancers have come to Japan through SCOA’s internship program over the last 17 years.
- All-inclusive internship includes airfare, food & lodging.
- Immerse yourself in Japan ‘s culture, traditions and lifestyles
- Explore one of the world’s most exciting cities, Tokyo, for three nights with lodging covered
- Be a part of the SCOA family of athletes and form lifelong friendships
- Gain skills in a foreign environment such as leadership, effective communication and problem solving
- A unique work experience that will differentiate you on your resume
2024 Senior Camp Counselors
- The 2024 senior camp counselors sports backgrounds included track,volleyball, water polo, beach volleyball, rowing, cheerleading, swimming and basketball.
- They attended UCLA, USC, Arizona, Washington, Iowa, UC Davis, UCSB, Central Florida, Florida International
2023 Senior Camp Counselors
- The 2023 senior camp counselors’ sports backgrounds included track, swimming, volleyball, rowing, water polo, cheerleading and diving.
- They attended: UCLA / USC / Utah / Colorado / Oregon State / Washington / UCSB / UC Davis / Hawaii / Central Florida
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!
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please reach out to us at info@scoacamp.com