Elev8 Summer Camp 2026: Learning, Friendship and Adventure in Tokyo
This was our biggest summer yet.
One of our favourite memories is the end of a camp week: children who had only introduced themselves on Monday leaving side by side, still talking and in no hurry to say goodbye.
A few days earlier, they had not known each other’s names.
Watching those friendships form was one of the best parts of summer at Elev8. Alongside the lessons, projects and excursions, it was those everyday moments that made the weeks memorable.
🤝 A summer that brought the world a little closer
This summer, Elev8 welcomed children from families travelling from more than 30 countries. Our campers included pupils attending more than 40 schools across Greater Tokyo, bringing together local families and children visiting Japan from overseas.
They arrived with different first languages, different interests and different experiences of school. Camp gave them something to share.
Friendships began in all sorts of places: working through a problem with the person at the next desk, chatting over a snack, running around the park or spending a Wednesday exploring somewhere new.
For a child arriving without knowing anyone, joining that first conversation can be a big step. Our teachers helped children settle in and find ways to participate, whether they were confident from the start or needed a little more encouragement.
The result was a camp community that extended well beyond any one school or neighbourhood.
💬 “Is that teacher coming back next week?”
Our teachers were part of both sides of camp life. They joined in with games and outdoor activities, then sat alongside children to work through a difficult question or try a different approach in class.
That balance mattered. Children had adults they could learn from, ask for help and look forward to seeing again.
“Is that teacher coming back next week?” was a question we loved hearing.
Small learning groups are an important part of the Elev8 experience, and our staffing policy sets a maximum of five children per staff member. The purpose is personal attention: making time for questions, helping children through challenges and noticing when someone needs support.
To the teachers and staff who brought their patience, ideas and enthusiasm to camp this summer: thank you.
⭐ What parents shared with us
The memories children bring home are only part of the story. Parents also told us about the friendships, encouragement and practical support that helped make camp a positive experience for their families.
My two daughters went for 4 weeks in the summer of 2026. When someone asks them what their favorite part about summer was, they both shout with enthusiasm, "Elev8!".
— Jun Google review
They were very well taken care of, and we really appreciated the daily photos and updates, which gave us peace of mind knowing they were having a great time.
— Hiroka Google review
They praised her understanding of English, and she seems to have gained confidence speaking English over the week. She made friends too, and she says, “I want to go again!”
— K.H Google review (Translated from Japanese.)
🎢 Wednesdays were for adventures
Every Wednesday, we took camp beyond the classroom for a full-day excursion in Tokyo or the surrounding area.
The children helped choose where we went, voting from a selection of options. That gave them a part in planning the week and something exciting to discuss before the day arrived.
Summer excursions included Tokyo Disney Resort, Yomiuriland Water Park, Zip-Lining at Mt Tsukuba, teamLab, Tondemi and many more fun destinations!
The days offered very different experiences, from theme parks and water slides to zip-lining, indoor activities and immersive art. They also gave children and teachers time together outside their usual classroom groups.
Wednesday became a highlight of the camp week: a shared adventure, chosen with the children rather than simply announced to them.
📚 Learning, making and playing
The rest of the week had plenty to offer too. Our learning sessions brought together Programming, Mathematics, English and Japanese, with activities adapted to the children’s ages, experience and selected subjects.
Programming: making something happen
During our Programming lessons at Elev8, children created games and puzzles, turning instructions into something they could interact with on screen. There is something particularly satisfying about seeing a project work for the first time. The result is tangible: something a child has made, can experiment with and can show someone else.
Mathematics: finding a way through
Maths sessions gave children opportunities to practise methods, work through problems and take on new challenges at an appropriate level. The aim was not simply to get an answer. It was to help children understand how to reach it and become more confident about trying the next problem.
Japanese: language through hands-on experiences
Japanese lessons combined language learning with making, cultural activities and interaction. Children could encounter new words while doing something practical, connecting the language with an experience rather than learning it only from a page.
English: language children could use
English learning showed up in both lessons and everyday camp life. Children practised vocabulary, asked questions and found ways to communicate with classmates. For some, English was the language they already used confidently. For others, it was a skill they were still building. We wanted that learning to be useful: joining a conversation, asking for help or explaining an idea to someone new.
Across the subjects, the most rewarding progress was often straightforward. Something that could not be done became something that could. Sometimes, it then became something enjoyed.
There was also time to move, play and take a break from focused work. Park visits, active games and Pilates with a visiting instructor were part of the summer experience. Outdoor play remained an important part of our routine whenever conditions allowed.
Learning and enjoyment were not separate ambitions. We wanted children to take home some of both.
🏫 Our next chapter: Roppongi
Elev8 now has a new home in Roppongi. We are grateful to every family who helped make our Nihonbashi campus such a memorable part of Elev8’s story. From autumn 2026, our camps continue at:
Elev8 Japan
Houraiya Building 7F
5-2-1 Roppongi,
Minato-ku
Tokyo 106-0032
The campus is less than a two-minute walk from Roppongi Station, making it a convenient base for families living in Tokyo and those visiting from overseas.
Our Autumn and Winter camps welcome children aged 5–12, with the flexibility to book individual days or full weeks. Lunch, snacks, drinks and learning materials are included, and a complimentary chaperone service is available from designated stations.
Returning families and first-time campers are both very welcome.
✨ Thank you for being part of our summer
To every family who shared part of their summer with us, thank you for your trust. To the children, thank you for the questions, ideas, laughter and friendships you brought to Elev8.
And to our teachers and staff, thank you for the care behind each day.
We look forward to seeing familiar faces (and helping new friendships begin) at our next camps in Roppongi!
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