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 (1434)
Social and recreational activities (1155)

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

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1155 items
Heart Mountain unit reporter, vol. 1, no. 1 (October 5, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1095)
doc Heart Mountain unit reporter, vol. 1, no. 1 (October 5, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1095)
Newsletter of the Heart Mountain unit of the American Red Cross. Includes the following sections: "Heart Mountain Unit Ready for Action", "Junior Red Cross to Have Drive in November," "L. Anderson to Visit Center," "1632 Letter Orient-Bound," "First Aid Class Starts," "Class at Fire Station," and "Functional Swim and Water Safety Program." See this object in …
Recreational activities at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp (ddr-csujad-55-1479)
img Recreational activities at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp (ddr-csujad-55-1479)
Scrapbook page containing black and white photographs of Girl Scout activities, football and baseball fields, basketball court, and a German Christmas play at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook, "Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 122. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese …
Memo from Jiro Fujioka, Co-operating with Block Chairmen, Heart Mountain, to Mr. Mihara, June 21, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-701)
doc Memo from Jiro Fujioka, Co-operating with Block Chairmen, Heart Mountain, to Mr. Mihara, June 21, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-701)
Memorandum from Jiro Fujioka to Speaker, Mr. Mihara?, Miharai?, or Nisharai?, regarding his speech on world culture and Japanese language at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0703
Pupils of Sahomi Tachibana in the new high school auditorium at Tule Lake (ddr-csujad-55-2205)
img Pupils of Sahomi Tachibana in the new high school auditorium at Tule Lake (ddr-csujad-55-2205)
Black and white photograph depicting pupils of Sahomi Tachibana, dressed in kimono, seated on stage in the high school auditorium at Tule Lake incarceration camp. Verso reads: Taken on August 23, 1943 at the new high school auditorium at Tule Lake War Relocation Project, Newell, California. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American …
Girls' Day Hinamatsuri (ddr-csujad-55-1467)
doc Girls' Day Hinamatsuri (ddr-csujad-55-1467)
Program for Girls' Day Hinamatsuri at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook, "Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 113. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1469
Victory hop (ddr-csujad-55-1955)
doc Victory hop (ddr-csujad-55-1955)
Invitation to the Girls's Softball Victory Hop at Tule Lake incarceration camp. From the Masako Adachi scrapbook. See also sac_jaac_1953. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1958
Sentinel supplement, series 35 (February 24, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1030)
doc Sentinel supplement, series 35 (February 24, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1030)
News bulletin for incarcerees covering announcements, events, programs, policies, recreational activities, and jobs at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Current issue includes information about an upcoming talk by a Student Relocation Official, paychecks, school closures, and a public speaking class. Includes Japanese section. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1032
Memo from Jiro Fujioka, Co-operating with Block Chairmen, Heart Mountain, to Rev. Kubose, June 7, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-694)
doc Memo from Jiro Fujioka, Co-operating with Block Chairmen, Heart Mountain, to Rev. Kubose, June 7, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-694)
Memorandum from Jiro Fujioka to Speaker, Rev. Kubose, regarding his speech on Buddhist 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_0696
Sentinel supplement, series 50 (March 26, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1042)
doc Sentinel supplement, series 50 (March 26, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1042)
News bulletin for incarcerees covering announcements, events, programs, policies, recreational activities, and jobs at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Current issue includes information on WRA work regulations, property owners association, employment, Hana-Matsuri, Rural Defense training program, repatriation forms, and farming. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1044
Memo from Jiro Fujioka, Co-operating with Block Chairmen, Heart Mountain, to Mr. Baba, August 29, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-687)
doc Memo from Jiro Fujioka, Co-operating with Block Chairmen, Heart Mountain, to Mr. Baba, August 29, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-687)
Memorandum from Jiro Fujioka to Speaker, Mr. Baba, regarding his speech on stories at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Includes handwritten comments in Japanese. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0689
Letter from Bill Taketa to Wagell Brothers, July 11, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-2342)
doc Letter from Bill Taketa to Wagell Brothers, July 11, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-2342)
Correspondence from Bill Taketa to Wagell Brothers regarding the fact they were in the same grade at Elk Grove Union High School. Bill Taketa requests the Wagell Brothers become his pen pal. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2448
Sentinel supplement, series 94 (July 5, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1072)
doc Sentinel supplement, series 94 (July 5, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1072)
News bulletin for incarcerees covering announcements, events, programs, policies, recreational activities, and jobs at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Current issue includes information on short wave radios, shoe rations, Bishop Reifsnider's visit, and sports announcements. Includes section in Japanese. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1074
General information bulletin (Cody, Wyo.), series 7 (September 10, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-642)
doc General information bulletin (Cody, Wyo.), series 7 (September 10, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-642)
General Information Bulletin, Series 7, published at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp, Wyoming on September 10, 1942. Bulletin including news, events, and topics related to Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Includes: Temporary block administrative officers picked; Mess identification tags ordered; Construction starts on new barracks; Athletic field planned west of Block 5; Lost and Found Department at …
Letter from Marvel Maeda and seven other author to Dr. Miles Cary, December 23, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-1821)
doc Letter from Marvel Maeda and seven other author to Dr. Miles Cary, December 23, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-1821)
Correspondence from Marvel Maeda, Catherine Embree, Kikuye Tanaka, Kunitani Anne, Mohri Eunice, Garret Nana, and Sunao Imoto to Miles Cary regarding recommendations for the Saturday morning school programs at Poston incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1824
Sentinel supplement, series 1 (October 27, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1018)
doc Sentinel supplement, series 1 (October 27, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1018)
News bulletin for incarcerees covering announcements, events, programs, policies, recreational activities, and jobs at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Current issue includes information on voter registration, clothing allowances, check cashing, and Santa Anita clothing distribution. Includes section in Japanese. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1020
Final report: Community Activities Section (ddr-csujad-55-1856)
doc Final report: Community Activities Section (ddr-csujad-55-1856)
Report on the Community Activities Section at Poston incarceration camp. Includes organization of the Community Activities Section, relation to other sections and evacuees, personnel, recreational facilities and equipment, historical development of the program, individual programs, financing, center closing, and colophon. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1859
Autumn hop (ddr-csujad-55-1954)
doc Autumn hop (ddr-csujad-55-1954)
Invitation to the Autumn Hop at Tule Lake incarceration camp. From the Masako Adachi scrapbook. See also sac_jaac_1953. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1957
Sentinel supplement, series 91 (June 29, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1070)
doc Sentinel supplement, series 91 (June 29, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1070)
News bulletin for incarcerees covering announcements, events, programs, policies, recreational activities, and jobs at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Current issue includes information on a "self-government" charter, employment, coal, "relocation" interviews, training courses, girl scouts, sports announcements, and other camp activities. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1072
Passport no. 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-1844)
doc Passport no. 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-1844)
Passport belonging to Mr. McClaren (McLaren) for a cruise to Hawaii aboard the S.S. Aloha. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1847
Sentinel supplement, series 84 (June 15, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1064)
doc Sentinel supplement, series 84 (June 15, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1064)
News bulletin for incarcerees covering announcements, events, programs, policies, recreational activities, and jobs at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Current issue includes information on employment, a sling shot warning, movies, training courses, an upcoming conference, and lost-and-found. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1066
Sentinel supplement, series 93 (July 2, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1071)
doc Sentinel supplement, series 93 (July 2, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1071)
News bulletin for incarcerees covering announcements, events, programs, policies, recreational activities, and jobs at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Current issue includes information on employment, railroad jobs, improper use of official stationary, training courses, victory gardens, tax exemptions, camp recreation, and sports. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1073
Landscaping at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp (ddr-csujad-55-1369)
img Landscaping at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp (ddr-csujad-55-1369)
Scrapbook page containing four black and white photographs depicting landscaping and plants at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp. Includes a photograph of a group of children standing on a Japanese style bridge. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook, "Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 40. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this object in the …
Sentinel supplement, series 99 (July 15, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1077)
doc Sentinel supplement, series 99 (July 15, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1077)
News bulletin for incarcerees covering announcements, events, programs, policies, recreational activities, and jobs at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Current issue includes information on family reunions, sawmill jobs, nurses aide classes, Heart Mountain charter, employment opportunities, summer playground schedule, a death announcement, report on Chicago street fight, and sports announcements. Includes section in Japanese. See this object …
Recreation: as directed by the internees themselves (ddr-csujad-55-1455)
doc Recreation: as directed by the internees themselves (ddr-csujad-55-1455)
Scrapbook page with an essay on internee-led recreation activities at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook, "Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 104. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1457
Miss Doris Yagi's School of Fashion (ddr-csujad-55-1956)
doc Miss Doris Yagi's School of Fashion (ddr-csujad-55-1956)
Invitation to Miss Doris Yagi's School of Fashion "Get together whirl" at Tule Lake incarceration camp. From the Masako Adachi scrapbook. See also sac_jaac_1953. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1959
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