The High School Leader Program is designed for high school students who want to learn leadership by supporting younger children in a real educational and experiential setting.

High School Leaders may support younger children during activities, help create a positive atmosphere, encourage communication, and learn how to work with adult staff.

The purpose of this program is not to place high school students in an adult role. Instead, it is to give them a safe and structured opportunity to learn leadership, communication, responsibility, and reflection.

High School Leaders participate as learners. They are supported by adult staff before, during, and after the program.

This program may be suitable for high school students who:

• enjoy working with younger children
• are interested in leadership and communication
• want to use English in a real environment
• can act with respect, responsibility, and kindness
• are willing to learn before, during, and after the program
• can follow safety rules and adult staff instructions
• want to challenge themselves outside their usual comfort zone
• are interested in gaining experience that may connect to future learning or career interests

High School Leaders may support the program in the following ways:

• support small group activities
• encourage younger children to communicate
• help children feel included and comfortable
• support simple English interaction
• assist with activity preparation
• support reflection time and sharing sessions
• observe how adult staff facilitate activities
• help create a positive and respectful environment

The exact role may vary depending on the activity, the age of the children, the student’s readiness, language ability, and the overall safety situation.

Through this program, high school students will have opportunities to learn:

• basic facilitation skills
• how to communicate with younger children
• how to listen and ask good questions
• how to support a group without controlling it
• how to encourage children who feel shy or unsure
• how to work with adult staff
• basic safety awareness
• how to reflect on their own leadership style

To keep the program safe and clear, High School Leaders will not be responsible for adult-level duties.

• You will not supervise children alone.
• You will not make final safety decisions.
• You will not lead children without adult staff present.
• You will not handle emergencies alone.
• You will not replace adult instructors or staff.

Adult staff are responsible for final safety decisions and overall program supervision.

1. Read the program overview and understand the role
2. Submit an inquiry, then application
3. Student and parent / guardian interview
4. Role and readiness confirmation
5. Pre-program training
6. Program participation
7. Reflection and feedback
8. Next challenge or future opportunity

Participation requirements include:

• being of high school age
• having interest in working with younger children
• being willing to join pre-program training
• being able to follow safety rules and staff instructions
• having basic English communication ability
• being able to participate with respect and responsibility
• parent or guardian consent
• participation in screening or interview before acceptance

Final acceptance depends on readiness, language ability, program capacity, and the overall balance of participants.

Japanese language ability is welcome, but it is not required for this program.

However, this program takes place in Japan, and some younger children, local staff, or other people involved may communicate mainly or only in Japanese.

We expect that most of the participating elementary school children are not able to communicate in English. In those situations, High School Leaders are expected to stay calm, listen carefully, use simple communication, and ask adult staff for support when needed.

High School Leaders must be able to communicate clearly in English and follow instructions from adult staff. Japanese-speaking adult staff will support communication when necessary.

In this program, language is not only about fluency. It is also about courage, attitude, listening, respect, and connection.

Safety is one of the most important parts of this program.

• Adult staff are responsible for final safety decisions.
• High School Leaders do not supervise children alone.
• Emergency procedures will be explained in advance.
• High School Leaders must follow adult staff instructions.
• Roles may be adjusted depending on the situation and the student’s readiness.

If a role feels too difficult or unclear during the program, the student should immediately speak with adult staff.

Before joining the program, High School Leaders will receive guidance and training.

• understanding the role and boundaries
• how to support younger children
• basic facilitation and communication skills
• safety rules and what to do when unsure
• how to work with adult staff
• how to set personal goals for the program

The training helps students understand that leadership is not about being perfect. It is about being responsible, aware, and willing to learn.

During the program, High School Leaders may:

• support younger children in activities
• help children feel safe and included
• encourage communication in small groups
• assist with simple English interaction
• support group reflection
• observe and learn from adult staff
• practice leadership in a real environment

After the program, High School Leaders will reflect on their experience.

• What did I learn?
• What was difficult?
• How did I support younger children?
• What kind of leader do I want to become?
• How can I use this experience in my next challenge?

Reflection is an important part of the program. The goal is not only to participate, but also to understand what the experience means.

Through this experience, High School Leaders may gain:

• confidence
• leadership experience
• communication skills
• experience supporting younger children
• real English and Japanese communication practice
• self-understanding
• experience working with adults and peers
• a meaningful story for future learning and personal growth

This program is designed to help students grow through real experience, not just through explanation.

This program is designed as a learning experience for high school students, not as a job.

Your child will not be placed in a position of adult responsibility. They will not be expected to supervise younger children alone or make final safety decisions.

The purpose is to help high school students learn leadership, communication, responsibility, and self-reflection in a supported environment.

We ask parents and guardians to understand the purpose of the program and support the student’s learning process before, during, and after participation.

1. Read this page carefully
2. Submit an inquiry or application
3. Student and parent / guardian interview
4. Role, readiness, and language ability confirmation
5. Final participation decision
6. Pre-program training
7. Program participation

Participation is not automatic. Final acceptance depends on the student’s readiness, attitude, language ability, program capacity, and overall suitability for the role.

• This is a training-based leadership program.
• This is not a paid job.
• This is not an instructor position.
• Participation may require a program fee.
• Final acceptance may depend on interview, readiness, language ability, and program capacity.
• Roles may be adjusted depending on the student’s readiness and the program situation.
• High School Leaders must follow adult staff instructions at all times.