Iruma River 9/11

After picking up the scouts, we started our long drive over to Iruma river. The weather seemed to be quite cloudy, but once we reached the destination, the sky had cleared up nicely.

Following a short hike down to the river from the car, we set up camp, changed into our swimwear, and walked over to the river. On the way, we gathered fuel for the fire we would be lighting later on. The water was very cold, but after only a few brave moments, every one of the scouts was in the water swimming around happily.

When we started to get a bit too chilly, we got out of the water for a little break. The scouts wanted to use Mark’s shovel to make a waterslide for Haruto’s toy boat. Working together they dug a trench down the riverbank and tried to carry enough water to wash it down. While some of the scouts were focused on the waterslide, Mark and Yota took turns fishing with the net. We realized that if we walked upstream with the net dragging behind us, our feet would kick up the sediment from the riverbed. This would cause fish to rush in to enjoy the feast, making it easy to snare some in our net. In no time at all, we had caught over a dozen fish to everyone’s surprise and delight.

Now that we were all warmed up, we went back in the water to float downstream, run back upstream, and float down again. On our way, we passed a big group of teenagers jumping from some of the rocks. One of them was looking a little unsure, so Yota shouted out to them “You can do it!” and counted one, two, three. The teenager jumped and everyone was impressed. After this, Yota did a jump of his own, and we swam around for a bit before heading back to start our fire and get ready for lunch.

Seeing as the wood was already collected, the scouts used the twine to make their tinder bundles, and we practiced using the flint and steel together. Mark also used his knife to make some wood shavings, then added them to the tinder bundle. After many attempts, Tomo managed to make a spark powerful enough to light the fire. Everyone was shocked, especially Tomo, then we celebrated our determination and effort with high fives all around. The scouts were all helping to build and keep the fire going, when we were interrupted by a lizard that had made its way into Haruto’s swim bag. Carefully and gently, Tomo retrieved it from inside the bag, and the young lizard crawled along his hands and onto the other scouts who were eagerly waiting to receive it. It was very exciting for everyone, but we had to let it go before we began eating lunch.

As we ate, we talked about what we would like to grill from our own lunchboxes. Yota put out some potato korokke and asked about his rice ball, but seeing as the seaweed would burn we stuck with just the korokke. Tomo asked to grill up his fried chicken, and Haruto asked to do his broccoli as well. We then added some yakitori and sausages for everyone to share, and enjoyed our food. When everyone had finished eating, we toasted marshmallows for a little sweet dessert.

Everyone then cleaned up, and played around in the sand and the shallows before heading for a little hike upstream. We walked for about half a kilometer, before coming to a nice calm spot, where we could float serenely down stream over and over again for a good hour before going back to camp.

After enjoying a short water break, we made our way back to the shallows where we fished and worked together to make a dam. A couple of the scouts said they were cold, so Mark showed them how the big rocks were warmed from the sun. They rested on them for a few minutes, before jumping back in to work on a boat racing track. They designed a great track, which led the boat over some rapids, where it would be caught by one of the scouts. They traded positions going back and forth, until it was time to get changed and pack up camp.

After getting changed and carrying all of our things back to the car, we headed out on our way back to Tokyo. Before the highway, we stopped for a sherbet type ice cream, and picked out something that the scouts had not tried before to share with their family at home.

As we drove off with the sun setting in the distance, most of the scouts slept peacefully awaiting their drop off. We are so thankful for a fun and relaxing day at the river, we really look forward to seeing you again soon.