“BIKE&CAMP KANTOU23”, organized by
Mr. Yamashita, a volunteer who has been participating in our activities, was held on October 28 and 29 along the shores of Lake Kasumigaura.
« “BIKE&CAMP” is Japan’s only bicycle and camping themed “travel event”. It is not a bicycle event, nor a camping event. It is a travel event where travelers gather. It is a festival and event for bicycle campers, who are still in the minority in Japan, and people who love to travel regardless of their bicycles. Please enjoy the free and CHILL atmosphere of a festival like the one on the West Coast of the United States »
(From the event’s website. They also introduce our meeting in the “GUEST & EVENT” section).
This is the third time for our NGO to join the event, following last year. It’s Yamashita who invited us to the event. He not only offered us an opportunity to introduce our activities but also made donation from the takings of the Charity Auction, one of the features of the event. We’ve got sufficient donations this year, too. We really appreciate it.
From our NGO, a director and a volunteer took part in the event. We did not have bicycles or a tent, so we stayed at a hotel, but we brought a wheelchair for children, an introductory panel, pamphlets, and a donation box to the venue.
There were test-ride experiences provided by exhibiting bicycle manufacturers. Helmets owned by the sponsoring organization were rented to those who did not have their own. Our members were in charge of the reception and rental management for the event.
The evening events, talk shows and a charity auction of free items donated by exhibitors, were a great success. It seems to be the greatest pleasure for the overnight participants. After the talk shows, we did a short introduction about the activities of our NGO. The staff later told us, “Many people have learned about the children’s wheelchairs and the activities of the NGO.”
Unfortunately, the weather was unfavorable with occasional light rain for both days, but many participants, exhibitors, and staff seemed to really enjoy themselves. Although our members were only there to watch, we were envious of the activities of Bike & Camp. We were so grateful for the event, for listening sincerely to the introduction of our NGO and for the auction donations.
November 15, 2023 Secretariat
See the fun atmosphere of the event!
(Left) Mr. Yamashita, welcoming the participants.
(Right)We placed a wheelchair, a panel, a banner, and a donation box in the headquarters tent and were in charge of helmet rentals.
(Left) A lot of exhibitors and tents for lodging. The site is very spacious.
(Right) Selling firewood, which is indispensable for camping. Everyone was desperate to get as much firewood as they could carry for 1,000 yen each.
(Left) The theme of the talk show was “Rinko.” “Rinko” means to disassemble a bicycle, store it in a special bag, and transport it by public transportation.
(Right) Charity auction. Both photos are too dark to be clear, but the event was a lot of fun.
(Left) Introducing our activities. Yamashita is holding the name plate of our NGO.
(Right) Yamashita was also interviewed for a radio program.