“We have finished harvesting the rice plants,” “ please band together the rice plants with 10 stubbles in a sheaf,” “please hang the banded rice plants on the hazeppo (a place to dry the rich plants),” the voices of the students echo around the rice field.  This is Mochizuki-cho, a place in Kitatateshina Kogen, Nagano.  This is a typical scene from the Moshizuki off-campus program, which takes place at Seitoku Gakuen Seminar House, “Kasuga Villa.”
   The “Mochizuki off-campus program,” for primary, junior high and high school students, is an experiential program carried out on a schedule of 4 days and 3 nights on this beautiful land surrounded by nature.  “Kasugaso,” where students spend the night can be called a “second school,” equipped with hot spring, gym, heated swimming pool, multi-purpose ground, 8 tennis courts, 6 seminar rooms, garden for field study, hall for general study, and other facilities.
   In order to build close human relationships, which are essential when students go out in the world, it is a valuable experience for the students to live under the same roof.  At schools with thoughts centered on entrance examinations, there is a tendency to neglect building human relationships, including friendships.
  There is a reason for the schedule of 4 days and 3 nights on the “Mochizuki off-campus program.” If the length of stay is about 3 days and 2 nights, students can dissemble and try to conform with others, but not for 4 days and 3 nights.  The communal life of 4 days and 3 nights cannot be spent without acting impartially.  For the students to cultivate the spirit to give consideration for everyone in the same way, and the spirit to receive others’ consideration and care in communal life, we set the program for 4 days and 3 nights.  Students learn that thoughtfulness toward others fosters the spirit to cherish you in them, and by naturally walking toward each other, one can build “harmony” in relationships.  From accumulations like this, students understand the importance of following rules in a group, such as not causing others’ trouble, and come to understand the bad influence selfish acts can cause.  By acquiring basic rules to live in a group, including being on time, fulfilling your role, acting in a group, and cleaning up and keeping the room in order, students cultivate the abilities to adapt to society.  It is also an opportunity to communicate and interact with the teachers.