Background

In 1998 (Ties That Bind, Los Angeles) and 2000 (Nikkei 2000, San Francisco), large gatherings took place to discuss what kinds of activities would help to preserve the Nikkei heritage, culture, and community for future generations. In April of 2002, nearly 60 Nikkei leaders met to discuss this issue and eventually settled on a plan to conduct an extensive and intensive "Nikkei Heritage Camp" program which would meet several goals:

• Provide cultural heritage training for middle school age Nikkei youngsters.
• Provide leadership and cultural training for young adult interns.
• Ultimately provide a connection for future generations of young people to cherish and value their cultural roots, history and heritage.

This concept developed into Camp Musubi through the joint efforts of the Ties That Bind committee, the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center and the Little Tokyo Service Center.

With the success of the first Camp Musubi in 2003, the planning committee hired a director, Janna Abo, in 2004 to oversee the program, now a weeklong day camp that aims to introduce participants to various community resources, history of the Nikkei in Los Angeles, and cultural values and experiences, as well as help participants make connections with each other.