Social and recreational activities

Japanese Americans found ways to fill the long days created by the enforced idleness of camp life. They made jewelry from shells found in the desert, built furniture for their rooms using scrap lumber and renovated the exteriors of their barracks. People also played cards, chess, checkers, mahjongg, and the Japanese games 'go' and 'shogi.' Camp inmates held dances, concerts, plays, and arts and crafts exhibitions. In Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho, they even held a beauty contest to select the "Sweetheart of Minidoka."

World War II (231)
Concentration camps (1454)
Social and recreational activities (1166)

Related articles from the Densho Encyclopedia :
Arts and crafts in camp, Music in camp

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1166 items

img Group in front of the tailoring center at Poston (ddr-densho-427-1)

A group of women and one man at the tailoring center in Poston concentration camp pose outside of recreation hall block 35.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-427-1/

img Tailoring exhibit at Poston (ddr-densho-427-8)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-427-8/

img Tailoring class at Poston (ddr-densho-427-4)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-427-4/

img Tailoring exhibit at Poston (ddr-densho-427-7)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-427-7/

img Tailoring exhibit at Poston (ddr-densho-427-6)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-427-6/

doc Sentinel supplement, series 67 (May 11, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1053)

News bulletin for incarcerees covering announcements, events, programs, policies, recreational activities, and jobs at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Current issue includes information on employment, civil service examination, training courses, and sports briefs. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1055

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1053/

doc Movie schedule (ddr-csujad-55-717)

Schedule of showing times for the film, "A little bit of Heaven," at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0719

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-717/

doc Sentinel supplement, series 65 (May 7, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1052)

News bulletin for incarcerees covering announcements, events, programs, policies, recreational activities, and jobs at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Current issue includes information on employment, public gathering permits; fundraising for the Hirabayashi case, sick leave, victory gardens, clothing allowances, dry cleaning, and lost-and-found. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1054

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1052/

doc Let's all sing (ddr-csujad-55-1943)

List of songs and lyrics, probably from the "Let's All Sing" program at Tule Lake incarceration camp. See also sac_jaac_1943 through sac_jaac_1948. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1943/

doc Newell star, vo. 1, no. 30 (September 21, 1944) (ddr-csujad-55-1971)

Newsletter published at Tule Lake incarceration camp. Covers news, events, community activities, job openings, sports, and schedule of church services. Includes English and Japanese. From the Masako Adachi scrapbook, page 18. See also sac_jaac_1953. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1974

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1971/

doc Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting, November 16, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-317)

Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting. Includes discussion on Crafting Committee, education, clothing allowances, Engei-bu Committee, and school construction. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0319

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-317/

doc Certificate from the American National Red Cross to Taiko Ono in Poston, Arizona, for beginner in swimming (ddr-csujad-55-144)

Card certifying that Taeko Ono is qualified as a Beginner in Swimming by the American Red Cross. Verso includes a description of two qualifying swimming tests and signatures of the chapter representative and instructor. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0146

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-144/

doc Rohwer Club Council (Program) (ddr-csujad-55-1939)

Program outlining the development of a central council for social and recreational clubs at Rohwer incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1942

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1939/

doc General information bulletin (Cody, Wyo.), series 23 (October 8, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-656)

General information bulletin, series 23, published at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp, Wyoming on October 8, 1942. Bulletin including news, events, and topics related to Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Includes: Seek aid of high school students for beet harvest; Statement on store price policy issued; School registration totals 2394; Hazards of walking on streets stressed; Many …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-656/

doc Boy Scouts of America membership card for Allan Minoru Hida (ddr-csujad-55-1997)

Card for Allan Minoru Hida's membership in Boy Scouts of America at the Amache incarceration camp. Includes Boy Scout oath, law, personal record, offices and special duties, and envelope. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2000

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1997/

doc Memo from Jiro Fujioka, Co-operating with Block Chairmen, Heart Mountain, to Mr. T. Mihara, June 28, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-698)

Memorandum from Jiro Fujioka to Speaker, Mr. T. Mihara, regarding his speech on radio at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0700

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-698/

doc Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting, April 3, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-447)

Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting. Includes report from Relocation Committee and discussion on recreation. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0449

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-447/

doc Sentinel supplement, series 69 (May 14, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1055)

News bulletin for incarcerees covering announcements, events, programs, policies, recreational activities, and jobs at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Current issue includes information on jobs and farming. Includes section in Japanese. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1057

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1055/

doc Minutes from the Heart Mountain Community Council meeting, April 11, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-550)

Minutes from the Heart Mountain Community Council meeting. Includes discussion on leave clearance, "relocation," recreation, and administration. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0552

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-550/

doc Memo from Shoji Nagumo, Co-operating with Block Chairmen, Heart Mountain, to Mr. Kubose, June 21 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-691)

Memorandum from Shoji Nagumo to Speaker, Mr. Kubose, regarding his speech on young people's psychology at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Includes handwritten comments. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0693

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-691/

img Japanese carnival (ddr-csujad-55-1476)

Scrapbook page containing three black and white photographs depicting the Japanese craft and needlework fair at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp. Title from caption. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook, "Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 119. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1476/

doc Memo from David Yamakawa, Heart Mountain Relocation Project, to all block managers and councilmen, June 19, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-722)

Memorandum of understanding from David (No Suggestions) regarding an invitation to a Community Activities recreation conference at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0724

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-722/

doc Senior banquet, May 15, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-1828)

Program for the Poston II High School Senior Banquet at Poston incarceration camp. Includes menu, program schedule, and acknowledgements. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1831

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1828/

img Japanese Girl and Boy Scouts at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp (ddr-csujad-55-1460)

Scrapbook page containing two black and white photographs of Japanese Girl Scouts and Girl and Boy Scout leaders at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook, "Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 109. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1460/

doc Sentinel supplement, series 40 (March 3, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1035)

News bulletin for incarcerees covering announcements, events, programs, policies, recreational activities, and jobs at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Current issue includes information on registration ("loyalty questionnaire") for female incarcerees, range firing schedule, a farewell dinner for Dr. Kinoshita, and the YWCA schedule. Includes section in Japanese. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1035/