Newsletter Issue

Letter from the Editor
Letter from the President
Upcoming events
This month's articles

Letter from the Editor

Do my ears decieve me? Are those birds outside my window? Can I finally take down the bubble-wrap on my bedroom walls? Yes, it's spring and that means it's time to get out and enjoy the good weather (before the rainy season). Take a walk or ride your bike to school this month instead of taking your car and you'll burn off some of the stress that built up this winter. Remember, April is a time of change in Japan, when the year starts fresh and you can wipe the slate clean. So if you're staying another year, or leaving in August, now is the time to make a list of what you want to do this summer/before you leave. Did you really want to visit Daisetsuzan National Park in Hokkaido or learn how to surf in Okinawa? Determined to climb Fuji? (Hey, what a coincidence! Look at our upcoming events)

To help plan out your next year, this season's issue has some memories of Powdertopia, to remind you to put it on your calendar early, and my tips from travelling in Shikoku. And, spring is the season for flowers (it's also the season for hiking, if you teach the New Horizon textbooks), so read up and become a sakura expert, thanks to Kristen's EcoSig/OutdoorSig co-op artile. All in all, it's just a great time to be exploring Japan!

Go have some fun
Ashlea
Newsletter Editor
newsletter@outdoorsig.com

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Letter from the President

Dear OutdoorSIGers, Well winter is over and the blossoms have already fallen down here in the south. But that doesn't mean that we have to stop getting outside to have fun. The spring vacation saw a small group of very intrepid Osigers head to the Bonin Islands for some fun in the sun and surf. Big thanks to Stuart Butchers for organising that!! I am sure that many others got away and had some great adventures too, so give those who were stuck behind their desks a chance to live vicariously and write an article about it. We want to read about your adventures! Send them to newsletter@outdoorsig.com

The pre-season Fuji Climb is coming up in June and we need an organiser for this. It's pretty much no work at all, as all the information can be found on the Osig website, it just needs to be confirmed! Usually the weekend before the mountain officially opens on the July 1st, so perhaps this year Saturday June 26th. Climb overnight to see the sunrise at 4:30 am on the Sunday 27th.

OutdoorSIG is currently preparing for the changeover of our national council members. This is your big chance to get involved as we are looking for webmasters, an interactive person and a recruitment person. They aren't hard jobs and look good on your CV when you finish JET so how about it? You know you want to. Send me a mail if you're up to the challenge!

Happy Spring!
Sara
OutdoorSIG President
pres@outdoorsig.com

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Upcoming events

Pre-season Mt Fuji Climb

Usually the weekend before the mountain officially opens on the July 1st, so perhaps this year Saturday June 26th. Climb overnight to see the sunrise at 4:30 am on the Sunday 27th.

We are looking for someone to organise this event too... Email the Pres pres@outdoorsig.com if you are willing to organise it! If you just want to take part mail Events events@outdoorsig.com

Daisetsuzan Hokkaido Summer Expedition

Spending time in the mts of Hokkaido. For more info contact Chris:

chriskballard@yahoo.co.uk

AJET Games

June 5-6, just after the Kobe Recontracting Conference, Hyogo AJET are presenting Ultimate Disc. And somewhere in the midst of this madness, Ishikawa AJET will be putting on a FLAG American Football tournament - dates still to be confirmed, but keep an eye out on the AJET website for updates.

To get more info on any of these events, or to register a team:

1. Go to www.ajet.net

2. Click on the AJET GAMES logo

3. Follow the link to your sport of choice

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This month's articles

Powdertopia Notes: 2004

That First Pow...Ouch!

Winter Peonies

Sakura

Getting There

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