The "Antlers Stadium Camp" was an event where participants could stay in tents on the stadium pitch, an area usually inaccessible to the public. In addition to the overnight stay, there were many hands-on summer vacation activities, and participants of all ages were engrossed in them.
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After working up a sweat, participants used the restrooms and showers in the top team's locker room. As these were the same showers the players normally use after matches, the participants couldn't hide their excitement.
The weather held up, making for a special one-night, two-day event packed with activities.
DAY 1: Saturday, August 11th (holiday)
■ Opening Ceremony & Orientation
During the orientation, in addition to explaining important notes for the camp, a rock-paper-scissors tournament was held, with winners earning the right to participate in the watermelon splitting contest.
■ Stadium Camp Special Programs
After the orientation, participants split into four programs.
A: Health Program
Power Plate Circuit Training
A fitness program using the Power Plate, which the top team normally uses.
Ruesi Dat Ton
An original self-adjustment method from ancient Thailand, a program to relieve physical discomfort through breathing techniques.
Children were also seen kicking a ball with Narahashi-san on the pitch where the health program was held.
B: Stadium Tour
A stadium tour offered as a special Stadium Camp plan. We guided participants through a different route than the usual stadium tour. It was a backstage tour where visitors could see not only the press conference room and locker rooms but also VIP rooms and broadcast booths, which are usually off-limits.
Narahashi-san also appeared on the tour!
C: Kashima Shrine "Path of the Gods Tour"
The Path of the Gods is a walking route that circles around the natural beauty of Kashima City, centered on Kashima Shrine. We walked approximately 7km, visiting historical and traditional cultural assets.
D: Summer Vacation Memory Letter
Participants used sand from the pitch to draw and write on paper, creating original letters.
■ Watermelon Splitting Contest
The six children who won the rock-paper-scissors tournament during the orientation split watermelons. The split watermelons were then served to participants during mealtime.
■ Public Viewing of "Away Match vs Nagoya" & Stadium Beer Garden
Antlers Curry was served for dinner at the stadium beer garden venue.
■ Night Program
E: Enjoy the starry sky from the stadium!
Mr. Tetsuji Fuse, a senior researcher at the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology Kashima Space Technology Center, was invited as a lecturer to talk about the Mars close approach and astronomy. A star chart craft was also made, and children commented, "It was a good theme for my summer research project."
F: Real-life Mystery Game: Wish upon a star
A hands-on game where participants used their minds and bodies to solve hidden mysteries. Many participants were racking their brains over the star-themed puzzles, finding them quite difficult. Once a puzzle was solved, it was time to run around the pitch. When a mystery was finally solved, smiles and high fives were exchanged.
■ Pitch Lights Out
DAY 2: Sunday, August 12th
■ Let's Watch the Sunrise in Kashima!
Participants gathered at 4:30 AM for a tour to watch the sunrise. Unfortunately, it was cloudy, so we couldn't clearly see the sun, but many people took photos of the tents on the pitch from the stands.
■ Breakfast: "Kashiko Local Food Breakfast"
Recharge with breakfast made from locally sourced ingredients from Kashiko!
■ Learn about Sports Turf!
Participants learned about the maintenance of sports turf suitable for soccer and other sports, with demonstrations.
■ Soccer School @ Stadium Pitch
A soccer school was held on the stadium pitch for elementary school students and younger.
■ Closing Ceremony
After the closing ceremony, participants were presented with a "Kashima Antlers Stadium Camp 2018 Certificate."
