Kizuna Summer Camp
Gardena Buddhist Church, 244 S San Pedro Street, Suite 504, Los Angeles, CA 90012
About
Kizuna Summer Camp includes activities such as mochitsuki, Japanese calligraphy, family oral histories, book readings, and a highly interactive incarceration escape room workshop where students complete challenges and clues to “escape” from unjust circumstances. Campers tour Little Tokyo by chartered bus to check out historical spots and murals. After care includes snacks and time to play games, along with help prepping for the next day’s activities.
• Ages: 7–13 years old
• Schedule: Week-long summer camp, Monday–Friday, with core camp hours from 8:30AM to 4:30PM and optional paid aftercare until 5:30PM
• Price: $375 per camper until April 3rd at 11:30PM; $425 thereafter, with aftercare at $5 per 15 minutes from 4:30PM to 5:30PM, late pickup fees of $1 per minute after 5:30PM, and childcare fees capped at $80 for the week with prepaid aftercare
Kizuna Summer Camp is part of Kizuna, a community-based nonprofit organization founded in 2011. Kizuna’s mission is to build a future for the community in Little Tokyo and beyond through the education, empowerment, and engagement of the next generation, with a focus on Japanese American values, culture, and traditions, including values such as gratitude (Kansha), responsibility (Sekinin), and empathy. The program is a local option for students entering 2nd to 8th grade centered on building a foundation of Japanese American culture and heritage, and it offers full-tuition scholarships on a first-come, first-served basis to qualifying applicants until funds are exhausted. Kizuna continues to grow and expand its Program Pipeline to serve new audiences throughout Southern California and is supported, in part, by the LA County Department of Arts and Culture as part of Creative Recovery LA, an initiative funded by the American Rescue Plan.
The leadership team includes Executive Director Chris Fitzgerald, Programs Coordinator Alan Takashi Riley, Development & Administrative Coordinator Miki Matsumoto, and Communications Coordinator Kali Ayumi Kishi. The board includes Board Chair Eric Komatsu, Vice-Chair Maya Hernandez, Ph.D., Secretary Terra-Lynn Tokiwa, Treasurer Kelli Tademaru, and Board-at-Large members Nina Takenouchi, Ally Oishi, Desiree Tanimura, Ariel Imamoto, Maya Valluru, and Matt Wenner.
For the Little Tokyo field trip, campers need sunscreen for hot summer skies, water for walking around, and cash for any lunch, toy, or boba purchases. Campers can purchase to-go lunches from one of the grocery stores or bring a packed lunch, and parents are always welcome to pack their child’s lunch and snacks.
Last updated March 15, 2026.
• Ages: 7–13 years old
• Schedule: Week-long summer camp, Monday–Friday, with core camp hours from 8:30AM to 4:30PM and optional paid aftercare until 5:30PM
• Price: $375 per camper until April 3rd at 11:30PM; $425 thereafter, with aftercare at $5 per 15 minutes from 4:30PM to 5:30PM, late pickup fees of $1 per minute after 5:30PM, and childcare fees capped at $80 for the week with prepaid aftercare
Kizuna Summer Camp is part of Kizuna, a community-based nonprofit organization founded in 2011. Kizuna’s mission is to build a future for the community in Little Tokyo and beyond through the education, empowerment, and engagement of the next generation, with a focus on Japanese American values, culture, and traditions, including values such as gratitude (Kansha), responsibility (Sekinin), and empathy. The program is a local option for students entering 2nd to 8th grade centered on building a foundation of Japanese American culture and heritage, and it offers full-tuition scholarships on a first-come, first-served basis to qualifying applicants until funds are exhausted. Kizuna continues to grow and expand its Program Pipeline to serve new audiences throughout Southern California and is supported, in part, by the LA County Department of Arts and Culture as part of Creative Recovery LA, an initiative funded by the American Rescue Plan.
The leadership team includes Executive Director Chris Fitzgerald, Programs Coordinator Alan Takashi Riley, Development & Administrative Coordinator Miki Matsumoto, and Communications Coordinator Kali Ayumi Kishi. The board includes Board Chair Eric Komatsu, Vice-Chair Maya Hernandez, Ph.D., Secretary Terra-Lynn Tokiwa, Treasurer Kelli Tademaru, and Board-at-Large members Nina Takenouchi, Ally Oishi, Desiree Tanimura, Ariel Imamoto, Maya Valluru, and Matt Wenner.
For the Little Tokyo field trip, campers need sunscreen for hot summer skies, water for walking around, and cash for any lunch, toy, or boba purchases. Campers can purchase to-go lunches from one of the grocery stores or bring a packed lunch, and parents are always welcome to pack their child’s lunch and snacks.
Last updated March 15, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.