I examined the 22-night, 23-day exam study camp from various perspectives.

Another piece of shocking news has caught my eye.

It's about a cram school holding a 22-night, 23-day exam study camp for 6th graders and 9th graders during summer vacation.

The cost is approximately 500,000 yen including transportation, accommodation, and meals.

What do you all think about this?

A sense of value

When you hear 500,000 yen, you think it's an outrageous amount of money.

However, just attending summer courses at a cram school is quite expensive.
When I looked it up, I found that SAPIX's summer course (for 6th graders) was 220,000 yen for 18 days.

At the elementary school entrance exam cram school my eldest son attended when he was in his final year of kindergarten, a 'school-specific pack' consisting of three consecutive days of classes was packed 'almost solid' during the summer vacation and cost about 230,000 yen.

But it didn't stop there; unit-specific courses such as 'paper test prep,' 'crafts,' 'painting,' and 'interview prep' were also thoroughly prepared.

Those who participated in the summer courses without a break easily paid between 600,000 and 1 million yen. (Our family didn't go that far.)

By the way, elementary school entrance exam cram schools also had 'exam camps' before COVID-19.
Those camps also had pricing that felt strangely like a good deal compared to other courses.

Based on what I've seen so far, the market price for overnight events held during summer vacation for elementary school students by major sports schools and private after-school care programs is roughly this much.

It seems Soramame Kids is a bit more expensive.

Therefore, from a parent's perspective, I feel that '500,000 yen for 22 nights' is a good deal feels right.

It's great if the child themselves is serious

Honestly, I was surprised by '22 nights.'
However, if the child themselves is genuinely eager to pass, I think it's the best environment.

Apparently, bringing smartphones to this camp is prohibited.
Isn't this the 'digital detox' that adults long for?

Furthermore, there isn't even a TV at the camp venue.
They say you can secure 12 hours of study time per day ← That would be impossible for me (lol).

If you were commuting to a cram school from home, you might see your siblings playing, fun events happening in front of the station, or adults who look like they have nothing to do.

And if you open your smartphone, you often end up just scrolling aimlessly.

So, it's probably a good thing that they can concentrate on their studies without any unnecessary information getting in.

That is, only if the student themselves wants it.

Things I'm worried about

Even so, it's 22 nights.
When I looked at the schedule, it was 7:00 AM wake-up and 11:00 PM bedtime.
The camp brochure is below.

https://ena-co-jp.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025summer_el6_jhs3_hissyou.pdf

Except for a walk after waking up, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and getting ready for bed, everything is study time.
Especially after dinner, from 6:00 PM to 10:30 PM, it looked tough even from an outsider's perspective.

Other than the morning walk, they spend almost all their time sitting and studying.
I'm also concerned about whether that's unhealthy.

But what I'm even more concerned about is the mental aspect.
When I looked at the special page for the camp, it said this.

That's brainwashing! (lol)

No, I get it.
Entrance exams aren't something you can get through with vague feelings like "I want to pass" or "It would be nice if I could pass."

I have experienced this firsthand myself.

But is it something that should be "solidified" for them?
That's not the student's own will.

Aren't there some kids who are just being influenced by those around them, having their eyes light up one by one after being told by a teacher, "You must decide that you will absolutely pass!!"??

Isn't it something that the child should naturally decide for themselves, "I will absolutely pass"?

Of course, some might say that a 6th grader can't decide something like that.
But if you say they are just 6th graders, is it really okay to force such a heavy burden on them?

Even though a child only has one "summer of 6th grade."
Is that really the "child's wish"?

The camp's slogan said, "Those who conquer the summer, conquer the entrance exam."
This kind of phrase is shouted a lot in sales environments too (lol).

While I think that's true, I also can't help but think that it's the intention of "people trying to move others" by shouting this.

Above all, I am very worried that the child themselves will have absolutely no "place to escape" because they are cut off from the outside world for 22 nights.

This is the danger of the "environment".

Becoming popular as after-school care

Even though I say things like this, I might change my policy once my child reaches the 6th grade, so I can't say anything too strong. ← A bit late for that (lol)

What I worry about most is that more families will start using these camps as a form of "after-school care."

While 500,000 yen is by no means cheap, for full-time dual-income families, keeping track of their child's schedule during summer vacation and preparing lunch is quite a burden.

Especially as a "parent of an exam student," you worry during the day about whether they "actually went to summer school," and you have to make two meals including a bento.

Even after returning home, you would likely feel anxious if your child is just zoning out or can't stop playing games and won't start studying.

It seems like the idea that it would be better for both parties to be in different places rather than fighting over it might gain traction.

Even if there is the issue of whether they can secure enough cram school instructors to work for 22 nights... honestly, I have a feeling this camp will sell very well.

Or rather, it seems it is actually already "almost full."

If this happens, other cram schools are highly likely to follow suit.

Hmm.

I don't really know what to make of it.

The way schools are, the way entrance exams are.
The way businesses targeting children are.

I feel like a lot of things are heading in a strange direction.

I am the type who is easily brainwashed myself (lol),
but I want to observe my child closely and cherish the "excitement" and "interests" that well up from within them.

Yondemy again tomorrow.

Thank you for today as well.