Youth Ambassador Trip to Japan

June 2024

We are thrilled to offer another exchange program to take Springfield high school students to visit Japan in June 2024! Led by Kazumi Holcomb, seasoned traveler and Japanese language instructor at Kickapoo High School, these trips offer students the experience of a lifetime in an immersive but safe and structured environment. Springfield-area youth ages 16-19 in June 2024 are invited to serve as ambassadors on this trip. A limited number of parent chaperone spots are also available.

Itinerary information is still pending, but students can expect to visit Tokyo (three nights), Kyoto (three nights), Hiroshima (one night), and of course our sister city of Isesaki, Japan where students will be treated to home stays with Isesaki families (four to five nights). The trip will be about 12-14 days long, departing from and returning to the Springfield-Branson National Airport.

For more information, please contact Kazumi Holcomb at kkholcomb@spsmail.org.

COST

The estimated cost for this trip is $3,800 per person.

This amount includes:

  • Airfare (Springfield, MO to Japan)
  • Hotels
  • Meals (3 per day)
  • Domestic transportation in Japan
  • Facility admission fees
  • Minimum travel insurance

This amount does not include:

  • Personal spending money
  • Passport fees
  • Extra travel insurance

SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarships are available for up to $1,000. Apply by Friday, December 15.

SCHOLARSHIPS CLOSED

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

You may pay in full at the time of registration (open until full or December 2023) or opt for the payment schedule which adds $30. The payment schedule begins with a $200 deposit due with registration and continues with 11 payments of $330 due on the 30th of each month from May 2023 through March 2024.

Pay by check or money order

All checks or money orders should be payable to “Springfield Sister Cities Association” or “SSCA.” Please be sure to write your participant’s full name and “Japan Trip 2024” in the memo area.

Springfield Sister Cities Association
Attn: Student Japan Trip 2024
2400 S. Scenic Ave.
Springfield, MO 65807

Pay by debit/credit card

Debit/credit card payments add a processing fee of about 3%.

MAKE ONLINE PAYMENT

REGISTRATION

Registration requires a deposit of $200 (you may mail payment even if registering online). Parents may indicate on the registration form if they are interested in learning more about being a chaperone. Registration is open until full or December 2023. When the trip reaches capacity, we will open a waiting list.

REGISTRATION CLOSED PDF REGISTRATION FORM

CHAPERONE APPLICATION

Chaperones must be a guardian of a participating student.

CHAPERONE APPLICATION

CANCELLATION POLICY

No refunds will be issued after flights and hotels are finalized. For a full refund, you must notify Kazumi Holcomb of your cancellation in writing by Monday, January 15, 2024. Cancellation after this date does not guarantee any refund.

QUESTIONS

For questions regarding payment, please contact Lisa Bakerink at lbakerink@springfieldmo.gov.

For questions regarding online forms or online payment, please contact Lexy Saner at asaner@springfieldmo.gov.

For questions regarding general trip information, please contact Kazumi Holcomb at 417-773-1087 or kkholcomb@spsmail.org.

PDF REGISTRATION & PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS