Support orphanages and elderly for visits at camp
Donation protected
We have a dream and we need your help to make it a reality.
We have the opportunity to purchase a camping ground in Nasu, Japan. The owner of the camping ground went to America 28 years ago and fell in love with American camping and created Captel,( Combination of camper and hotel). The owner has a health issues and may not be around so long. He wants to sell Captel so he can purchase a house for his wife to live. We want to purchase this camping ground to continue his legacy and to continue our charity with the people in Tohoku and will rename it to Moose Camp Resort.
We need to raise $80,000 for a down payment and then the owner will finance us for 4 years with the remainder of the loan. We have $40,000 of our own money so we are half way. If possible, we would want to use the $40,000 to improve the campsite and to have backup money to pay the loan if needed.
ABOUT THE CAMPSITE
The American style campsite is 1652 tsubo (1.3 acre) and is beautifully landscaped with large grassy area in the middle of the camp and has plenty of trees, flowers and roses. It has 22 camp spots that have a brick patio with a picnic table, and has water, electric and waste hookup. There are 3 camping trailers and 1 camper, 6 designated tent spots and one deck with tent looking over the small creek. There is a log cabin that has a clubhouse, bathroom, laundry service, a bar/snack area, living quarters on 2nd floor, sauna and two Japanese style baths with relaxing jets. Next to the clubhouse there is a swimming pool and Jacuzzi. Behind the cabin is a workshop with professional wood working tools to create and remodel. There is also a double trailer that is used as the office and house. There is a small creek in a wooded area below the swimming pool that has fireflies in the spring. Fireflies are rare in the area.
Please watch the video to see the entire campsite. It is 20 min long. https://youtu.be/C4svJpFo5DE
OUR PLAN
Traditional Japanese campsites charge for the campsite along with per tent, per vehicle and per person. We would continue this for local Japanese but will also offer a Military discounts. We would charge a flat rate for Military (US and Japanese) for up to 4 people with additional cost per person for a weekend campout. Check-in would be Friday night after 2000 and check-out would be 1800 on Sunday or Monday if it’s a holiday for a weekend campout.
The pool presently opens late July thru end of August. We would open it on Memorial Day weekend and close on Labor Day weekend. There will be music, balls, volleyball, basketball and many other fun things to do.
We plan to have a Snack Shack by the pool which would be open daily 0800-1700 sell various items such as snacks, sodas, beer, sun lotion.
Saturday and Sunday mornings we will offer breakfast in the kitchen. We will make various menus such as Country breakfast in a Dutch oven.
Sundays will offer BBQ lunches in the kitchen. Every Sunday will have a different theme such as Ribs, chicken, Dutch oven, etc.
Each campsite is presently named after a US State. We will put the state license plate at the entrance along with the state flag and an information sheet on state bird, trees, stats, etc. Along with that, each trailer, cabin and tree house will have a theme of that state. For example, Alaska would have a rugged outdoor theme while Hawaii has a “Aloha” beach feeling.
“Kids Camp Week” During certain times of year, campsite is only available for families. We will provide special events for the kids.
We know many people don’t have camping equipment. So we will rent out package deal. Set of tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bags, cooking supplies and all other supplies needed for camping.
We will pick up customers at the train station instead of having them take a taxi. Customers would have to reserve first and let us know when they are coming in.
OUR EXPERIENCE
We know that it is difficult for families to get out and enjoy the great outdoors in Japan. Many factors prevent them from going out so they spend much of their time in Japan not experiencing the outdoors. Language barrier, not having equipment, Japanese system different and cost is a few of them.
We have been providing Glamorous camping trips for the past two years. We take families to various campsites and setup camp, plan, cook, clean, we do everything so the customers can enjoy camping with their family. We even have most equipment that they need.
Our speciality is providing fun for the kids and ensuring there is plenty of outdoor cooking and a well balance meal. There is not a single child or parent who would say their children didn’t have the best experience camping with us.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/JapanOutdoorAdventures/
OUR CHARITY WORK
1982
I got my first taste of charity when I was 17 years old in my senior year of school. I raised money for Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy. Even though it wasn’t a lot, it stuck with me and really meant a lot to me that I was able to make a difference. I attempted to play the game asteroids on one quarter for 40 hours straight. I previously played for 24 hours on one quarter. If I would of succeeded, I would of raised over $200, but I was only able to play for 11 hours because the machine broke down. I ended up raising $36.37. For complete news story, click here.

1984-1995
I came to Japan in 1984 after joining the US Navy after I graduated from High School. I was stationed in Yokosuka for 6 years. I then went back to the states for 3 years and decided to come back as I missed Japan so much. I worked for a Japanese company for 6 years driving trucks. During this time, the Great Hanshin Earthquake in Kobe struck, which killed over 6000 people, in 1995 and immediately I quit my job and volunteered for 3 months helping distribute food and water to the people there. This was my beginning of volunteering and charities in Japan.
In 2011 the Great Tohoku Earthquake struck and killed over 22,000 people. The triple disaster, 9.1 Earthquake, massive tsunami and nuclear meltdown, tore havoc in the Tohoku area. For over a year, I volunteered to help in the area by providing a place for volunteers to sleep, shower and provided meals for them by using my American made Winnebago camper as a shelter. This was the beginning for my strong interest in charity work in Tohoku.
2015

In March 2015 I created Tohoku Charity Run (TCR). I supported an ultimate runner in his quest to go base to base thanking each one for their support in Operation Tomodachi. I met Rika in Oct of 2015 and by Nov she was involved helping me with this project and then we added helping Tohoku Children’s Village (TCV), an orphanage in Sendai. We purchased many sports equipment for the orphanage to include table tennis, basketball hoops, and bicycles for each child.
2016

We raised over $6000 for TCR. We raised $2500 was for logistic support, hotels, and food/drinks to support the event from March 4 – 19th ,2016. He ran 1170 Km from Yokota to Misawa and I carried his food, drinks and luggage by riding beside him on a bike with a trailer. We also raised over $3500 to purchase a lot of sports equipment for Tohoku Children’s Village.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TohokuCharityRun/

We continued supporting TCV every year. In the Aug, 2016, we had a BBQ for the children. We raised $800 by selling items at flea markets to support that event. The children enjoyed a day of fun and games, artsand crafts, and an American style BBQ.

We then came up with “Santa Delivery” where we went to the Tohoku area where Santa delivered small goodie bags to children and elderly. For this event, we raised over $4000. We made over 2000 small goodie bags, collected over 900 Christmas cards made by children all over the world, and delivered these to children’s home, orphanages, Kindergartens and elderly homes. For 7 days, Dec 18-24, 2016, we traveled over 1200 km around the Tohoku area from Sendai to Miyako where they are still suffering 6 years after the big Earthquake. Santa met and touched the hearts of over 2000 people during this trip.https://www.facebook.com/groups/welovetohoku/
2017

Jan 28, 2017 I was recognized for the work that I have done with my website www.enjoyingjapan.com, the work I’ve done with Tohoku Charity Run and Santa Delivery by General Pasquarette at Camp Zama.
Here is the video of me receiving the award.

Sept 9, 2017 we sponsored another BBQ with Tohoku Children’s Village. This time we brought 16 youth from Camp Zama to interact with the children. The children played games, made tie dye T-shirts and Japanese fans along with water gun fights. There was plenty of food for almost 100 participants to include volunteers, children and staff.
Our 2nd Santa Delivery was even bigger in 2017. We raised around $4000 through our gofundme, Japanese bank and flea markets. With a sponsors help (Kenichi Atarashi and I-room hotel), we were able to do even more for Santa Delivery. We delivered over 3500 goodie bags with Christmas cards made by children and over 1000 tea bags provided by Jodie in Texas from Dec 17-25. We provided a Christmas Dinner for the children at Tohoku Children’s Village and Santa delivered gifts to each child. We had the opportunity to meet city representatives in Miyako and Yamada.
Santa Delivery promotional video. https://youtu.be/fA8r5uiSqP0
We are in the planning stages of bringing the orphans from Tohoku Children’s Village to Camp Zama for an overnight trip this year. Also in the plans is our 3rd Santa Delivery.
OUR PASSION WITH HELPING PEOPLE CONTINUES
With the purchase of the campground, we are wanting to continue our passion with helping people. Tohoku region is still suffering 7 years after the Great Earthquake. So we want to continue are charity of putting smiles on peoples faces and giving them an experience they will always remember.
BILATERAL RELATIONSHIPS
It is very important for us to have a strong bond between USA and Japan. Everything we do is working together as one and promoting friendship.
BOYSCOUTS AND GIRLSCOUTS
During our off season, we want to work with the scouts in the Tohoku area and bring them to our campsite along with the American Scouts from the various Military bases and have special friendship camps. The campsite is half way between Tohoku and Kanagawa which is a good meeting point for this to happen.
CHILDREN'S HOMES AND THE CHILDREN FROM THE TOHOKU REGION.
Also during our off season, we want to provide camping experience to the children in the Tohoku region. Most of the children have never and may never experience sleeping in a tent.
THE ELDERLY
Our experience with putting smiles on the elderly from our Santa Delivery has led us to wanting to do more. On the days of that the campsite is closed, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, we want to bring local elderly from the day care centers to the campsite. They can walk around the site looking at the beautiful landscaped area, have lunch on the picnic bench and spend time either in the jacuzzi or bath.
WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE OUR DREAM A REALITY
To make this happen, we need to raise $80,000 by August 15th, 2018. There is not much time. There are 3 ways you can help
1. Donate directly to one of the many accounts setup below.
2. Purchase membership card with Moose Camp Resort. Please go the website for more info. http://enjoyingjapan.com/Moose_Camping_Ground/Membership
3. Purchase a “Prepaid Card” For donations $200 and more, we will give you a “Prepaid Card”. You will receive 85% of your money back on future camping fees, not to include food. 15% is for fees paid to gofundme or PayPal and the rest goes to help with our charity. So if you donate $500, you will have $350 towards future camping fees. Can be used anytime after April 2019 when it becomes ours.
4. Investment. We are willing to pay up to 30%-40% for any donations over $1000. Please send us an e-mail at [email redacted] for more information.
You can donate directly to our GoFundme page at https://www.gofundme.com/purchase-campsite or our Pay Pal at https://www.paypal.me/enjoyingjapan. You can also donate to our Japanese Bank account.
記号 10310
番号 86285231
名前 We Love Tohoku
他銀行からのお振込の場合
店名 〇三八(読み ゼロサンハチ)
店番 038
預金種目 普通預金
口座番号 86285231
名前 We Love Tohoku(ウィーラブトウホク)
We have the opportunity to purchase a camping ground in Nasu, Japan. The owner of the camping ground went to America 28 years ago and fell in love with American camping and created Captel,( Combination of camper and hotel). The owner has a health issues and may not be around so long. He wants to sell Captel so he can purchase a house for his wife to live. We want to purchase this camping ground to continue his legacy and to continue our charity with the people in Tohoku and will rename it to Moose Camp Resort.
We need to raise $80,000 for a down payment and then the owner will finance us for 4 years with the remainder of the loan. We have $40,000 of our own money so we are half way. If possible, we would want to use the $40,000 to improve the campsite and to have backup money to pay the loan if needed.
ABOUT THE CAMPSITE
The American style campsite is 1652 tsubo (1.3 acre) and is beautifully landscaped with large grassy area in the middle of the camp and has plenty of trees, flowers and roses. It has 22 camp spots that have a brick patio with a picnic table, and has water, electric and waste hookup. There are 3 camping trailers and 1 camper, 6 designated tent spots and one deck with tent looking over the small creek. There is a log cabin that has a clubhouse, bathroom, laundry service, a bar/snack area, living quarters on 2nd floor, sauna and two Japanese style baths with relaxing jets. Next to the clubhouse there is a swimming pool and Jacuzzi. Behind the cabin is a workshop with professional wood working tools to create and remodel. There is also a double trailer that is used as the office and house. There is a small creek in a wooded area below the swimming pool that has fireflies in the spring. Fireflies are rare in the area.
Please watch the video to see the entire campsite. It is 20 min long. https://youtu.be/C4svJpFo5DE
OUR PLAN
Traditional Japanese campsites charge for the campsite along with per tent, per vehicle and per person. We would continue this for local Japanese but will also offer a Military discounts. We would charge a flat rate for Military (US and Japanese) for up to 4 people with additional cost per person for a weekend campout. Check-in would be Friday night after 2000 and check-out would be 1800 on Sunday or Monday if it’s a holiday for a weekend campout.
The pool presently opens late July thru end of August. We would open it on Memorial Day weekend and close on Labor Day weekend. There will be music, balls, volleyball, basketball and many other fun things to do.
We plan to have a Snack Shack by the pool which would be open daily 0800-1700 sell various items such as snacks, sodas, beer, sun lotion.
Saturday and Sunday mornings we will offer breakfast in the kitchen. We will make various menus such as Country breakfast in a Dutch oven.
Sundays will offer BBQ lunches in the kitchen. Every Sunday will have a different theme such as Ribs, chicken, Dutch oven, etc.
Each campsite is presently named after a US State. We will put the state license plate at the entrance along with the state flag and an information sheet on state bird, trees, stats, etc. Along with that, each trailer, cabin and tree house will have a theme of that state. For example, Alaska would have a rugged outdoor theme while Hawaii has a “Aloha” beach feeling.
“Kids Camp Week” During certain times of year, campsite is only available for families. We will provide special events for the kids.
We know many people don’t have camping equipment. So we will rent out package deal. Set of tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bags, cooking supplies and all other supplies needed for camping.
We will pick up customers at the train station instead of having them take a taxi. Customers would have to reserve first and let us know when they are coming in.
OUR EXPERIENCE
We know that it is difficult for families to get out and enjoy the great outdoors in Japan. Many factors prevent them from going out so they spend much of their time in Japan not experiencing the outdoors. Language barrier, not having equipment, Japanese system different and cost is a few of them.
We have been providing Glamorous camping trips for the past two years. We take families to various campsites and setup camp, plan, cook, clean, we do everything so the customers can enjoy camping with their family. We even have most equipment that they need.
Our speciality is providing fun for the kids and ensuring there is plenty of outdoor cooking and a well balance meal. There is not a single child or parent who would say their children didn’t have the best experience camping with us.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/JapanOutdoorAdventures/
OUR CHARITY WORK
1982
I got my first taste of charity when I was 17 years old in my senior year of school. I raised money for Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy. Even though it wasn’t a lot, it stuck with me and really meant a lot to me that I was able to make a difference. I attempted to play the game asteroids on one quarter for 40 hours straight. I previously played for 24 hours on one quarter. If I would of succeeded, I would of raised over $200, but I was only able to play for 11 hours because the machine broke down. I ended up raising $36.37. For complete news story, click here.

1984-1995
I came to Japan in 1984 after joining the US Navy after I graduated from High School. I was stationed in Yokosuka for 6 years. I then went back to the states for 3 years and decided to come back as I missed Japan so much. I worked for a Japanese company for 6 years driving trucks. During this time, the Great Hanshin Earthquake in Kobe struck, which killed over 6000 people, in 1995 and immediately I quit my job and volunteered for 3 months helping distribute food and water to the people there. This was my beginning of volunteering and charities in Japan.
In 2011 the Great Tohoku Earthquake struck and killed over 22,000 people. The triple disaster, 9.1 Earthquake, massive tsunami and nuclear meltdown, tore havoc in the Tohoku area. For over a year, I volunteered to help in the area by providing a place for volunteers to sleep, shower and provided meals for them by using my American made Winnebago camper as a shelter. This was the beginning for my strong interest in charity work in Tohoku.
2015

In March 2015 I created Tohoku Charity Run (TCR). I supported an ultimate runner in his quest to go base to base thanking each one for their support in Operation Tomodachi. I met Rika in Oct of 2015 and by Nov she was involved helping me with this project and then we added helping Tohoku Children’s Village (TCV), an orphanage in Sendai. We purchased many sports equipment for the orphanage to include table tennis, basketball hoops, and bicycles for each child.
2016

We raised over $6000 for TCR. We raised $2500 was for logistic support, hotels, and food/drinks to support the event from March 4 – 19th ,2016. He ran 1170 Km from Yokota to Misawa and I carried his food, drinks and luggage by riding beside him on a bike with a trailer. We also raised over $3500 to purchase a lot of sports equipment for Tohoku Children’s Village.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TohokuCharityRun/

We continued supporting TCV every year. In the Aug, 2016, we had a BBQ for the children. We raised $800 by selling items at flea markets to support that event. The children enjoyed a day of fun and games, artsand crafts, and an American style BBQ.

We then came up with “Santa Delivery” where we went to the Tohoku area where Santa delivered small goodie bags to children and elderly. For this event, we raised over $4000. We made over 2000 small goodie bags, collected over 900 Christmas cards made by children all over the world, and delivered these to children’s home, orphanages, Kindergartens and elderly homes. For 7 days, Dec 18-24, 2016, we traveled over 1200 km around the Tohoku area from Sendai to Miyako where they are still suffering 6 years after the big Earthquake. Santa met and touched the hearts of over 2000 people during this trip.https://www.facebook.com/groups/welovetohoku/
2017

Jan 28, 2017 I was recognized for the work that I have done with my website www.enjoyingjapan.com, the work I’ve done with Tohoku Charity Run and Santa Delivery by General Pasquarette at Camp Zama.
Here is the video of me receiving the award.

Sept 9, 2017 we sponsored another BBQ with Tohoku Children’s Village. This time we brought 16 youth from Camp Zama to interact with the children. The children played games, made tie dye T-shirts and Japanese fans along with water gun fights. There was plenty of food for almost 100 participants to include volunteers, children and staff.
Our 2nd Santa Delivery was even bigger in 2017. We raised around $4000 through our gofundme, Japanese bank and flea markets. With a sponsors help (Kenichi Atarashi and I-room hotel), we were able to do even more for Santa Delivery. We delivered over 3500 goodie bags with Christmas cards made by children and over 1000 tea bags provided by Jodie in Texas from Dec 17-25. We provided a Christmas Dinner for the children at Tohoku Children’s Village and Santa delivered gifts to each child. We had the opportunity to meet city representatives in Miyako and Yamada.
Santa Delivery promotional video. https://youtu.be/fA8r5uiSqP0
We are in the planning stages of bringing the orphans from Tohoku Children’s Village to Camp Zama for an overnight trip this year. Also in the plans is our 3rd Santa Delivery.
OUR PASSION WITH HELPING PEOPLE CONTINUES
With the purchase of the campground, we are wanting to continue our passion with helping people. Tohoku region is still suffering 7 years after the Great Earthquake. So we want to continue are charity of putting smiles on peoples faces and giving them an experience they will always remember.
BILATERAL RELATIONSHIPS
It is very important for us to have a strong bond between USA and Japan. Everything we do is working together as one and promoting friendship.
BOYSCOUTS AND GIRLSCOUTS
During our off season, we want to work with the scouts in the Tohoku area and bring them to our campsite along with the American Scouts from the various Military bases and have special friendship camps. The campsite is half way between Tohoku and Kanagawa which is a good meeting point for this to happen.
CHILDREN'S HOMES AND THE CHILDREN FROM THE TOHOKU REGION.
Also during our off season, we want to provide camping experience to the children in the Tohoku region. Most of the children have never and may never experience sleeping in a tent.
THE ELDERLY
Our experience with putting smiles on the elderly from our Santa Delivery has led us to wanting to do more. On the days of that the campsite is closed, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, we want to bring local elderly from the day care centers to the campsite. They can walk around the site looking at the beautiful landscaped area, have lunch on the picnic bench and spend time either in the jacuzzi or bath.
WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE OUR DREAM A REALITY
To make this happen, we need to raise $80,000 by August 15th, 2018. There is not much time. There are 3 ways you can help
1. Donate directly to one of the many accounts setup below.
2. Purchase membership card with Moose Camp Resort. Please go the website for more info. http://enjoyingjapan.com/Moose_Camping_Ground/Membership
3. Purchase a “Prepaid Card” For donations $200 and more, we will give you a “Prepaid Card”. You will receive 85% of your money back on future camping fees, not to include food. 15% is for fees paid to gofundme or PayPal and the rest goes to help with our charity. So if you donate $500, you will have $350 towards future camping fees. Can be used anytime after April 2019 when it becomes ours.
4. Investment. We are willing to pay up to 30%-40% for any donations over $1000. Please send us an e-mail at [email redacted] for more information.
You can donate directly to our GoFundme page at https://www.gofundme.com/purchase-campsite or our Pay Pal at https://www.paypal.me/enjoyingjapan. You can also donate to our Japanese Bank account.
記号 10310
番号 86285231
名前 We Love Tohoku
他銀行からのお振込の場合
店名 〇三八(読み ゼロサンハチ)
店番 038
預金種目 普通預金
口座番号 86285231
名前 We Love Tohoku(ウィーラブトウホク)
Organiser
Ervin Lawrence
Organiser
APO, US
