AOCF Articles!

Congratulations! to the National Camping Association of Japan for their perseverance to initiate the first meeting of the Asian Camping Association. The hard work of Mr. Yamada Makoto, Prof. Fumio Morooka, Sachiko Tanaka and many other members enabled us to get together at the International Childrens' Camp "Nairamdal" in Mongolia. Special Thanks must go to Ms. T. Tuvshin Director of "Nairamdal" and her staff for the warm hospitality and efficient way that the Confernce was organised. The program put together for the members attending from the 30th June - 5th July 2004 was most interesting.

The children's concert, the visit to the National Museum of Mongolian History, the Gandantegchilen Buddhist Monastery, the wonderful trip to the Moltsog Desert. and the "Khustai Nuruu" National Reserve, the special opportunity to see the rare "Thaki or Prewalski" wild horses of Mongolia, an insight into life in the traditional style of home or Ger, the sound of the singing which gave one shivers, because of the skill and haunting sound. The Spectacular closing ceremony for the last night of camp for 500 campers, with the horsemen riding in to light the bonfire and the disco that followed, are all images and experiences that will last with me forever, but more than that were the wonderful friendships and relationships that were formed.

Reports were also given by members from the Hong Kong Camping Association and delegation from Malaysia presented an insight as to what to expect for the 2nd Asian Camping Association Conference to be held in Perak in Malaysia in 2006. Having attended the conference in Mongolia, I come away with a reinforced resolve that what is achieved through camping is so vital to better values for all peoples and the environment. We look forward to seeing all of you at the International Camping Conference to be held in October 2005 in Mexico.

Happy Camping and keep smiling
Jenny Bowker, ICF President

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I’m relieved to see our pending problem of producing a network in Asia had just started to be a concrete shape. Only 4 countries/regions were joined to the meeting but I’m expecting them a lot who have a high motivation. I’m hoping to spread out our community slowly to have more countries/regions to join us.

Thank you for the people in Mongol and Nairamdal who hosted this meeting. This tour was very well filled for us because of your full of hospitality including a set up for the meeting, management and care for our stay, and the excursion program which satisfied us with natural culture resources of Mongol. Some of the memorable moments that I have are the magnificent nature and smile of the children. Also, I admired the teaching skill of young staff, high performance ability, and language ability and integrity that young interpreter have. These facts above had made me to think better of the importance of arranging carefully selected persons.

From now on, an interaction of the leaders will become an important key for the ACF activity and if the interaction comes on reality I believe beings of the youth of Mongol will give a big impact on youth in Japan.

Makoto Yamada
Chairperson, International Exchange Committee of NCAJ

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