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 (283)
Concentration camps (2384)
Social and recreational activities (1262)

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

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1262 items

img Ship model on display (ddr-densho-37-1237)

Included annotation: T-205, Exhibit.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-1237/

img Children playing marbles (ddr-densho-37-831)

Original WRA caption: Rohwer Relocation Center, McGehee, Arkansas. Three small boys compete in a staff marble game on a Sunday afternoon in Block 8.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-831/

img Sculpture on display (ddr-densho-37-1239)

Included annotation: T-206, Exhibit.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-1239/

img Christmas choir at a hospital tea party (ddr-densho-37-1251)

Included annotation: W-206, Hospital Silver Tea Party, 12/5, Christmas carol choir.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-1251/

img Camp fashion show (ddr-densho-37-320)

Original WRA caption: A fashion show was one of the many exhibits held at this relocation center on Labor Day. Great skill was shown in dressmaking and tailoring, and was thoroughly appreciated by the large audience which witnessed this display.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-320/

img Girls' friendship club (ddr-densho-37-131)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-131/

img High school dance orchestra (ddr-densho-37-505)

Original WRA caption: Granada Relocation Center, Amache, Colorado. The High School dance orchestra at the Granada Relocation Center at Amache, Colorado.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-505/

img Japanese American drama club (ddr-densho-37-135)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-135/

img High school band members (ddr-densho-37-539)

Original WRA caption: Rohwer Relocation Center, McGehee, Arkansas. A snare drum section of the high school band, in a practice session at the school band room. Most of the student band members are playing instuments for the first time, and the band is fast becoming a matter of much pride among center residents, former west coast …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-539/

img Japanese American building a model ship (ddr-densho-37-592)

Original WRA caption: Gila River Relocation Center, Rivers, Arizona. Chic Yamaguchi, former farm worker from Kingsburg, California, is shown turning a section of one of the model ships on the lathe in the model ship factory at the Gila River Relocation Center. Chic had never operated power machinery before starting work in the factory here. Prior …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-592/

img Navy and White girls presenting gifts (ddr-densho-37-1499)

Included annotation: B-601, Navy and White Girls presenting gift to Inductee.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-1499/

img Japanese American building a model ship (ddr-densho-37-597)

Original WRA caption: Gila River Relocation Center, Rivers, Arizona. Wataru Ichinotsubo, former produce market employee form Los Angeles, California, is shown sandpapering the hull of a model into final shape in the model ship factory here. These ships are carefully constructed for the Navy by the Japanese-American craftsmen.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-597/

img Lifeguards (ddr-densho-37-6)

Original WRA caption: Volunteer lifeguards at outdoor swimming hol[e] constructed close to north side irrigation canal. At left is Willard Jeager, Hunt High School teacher and volunteer Red Cross life-saving instructor. At right is Walter Kipp, community activities supervisor.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-6/

img Clothing and home goods on display (ddr-densho-37-1236)

Included annotation: T-204, Exhibit.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-1236/

img Woman at dressmaker's exhibit (ddr-densho-37-1222)

Included annotation: R-206, Dressmaker's Exhibit.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-1222/

img Block 55 tools in display (ddr-densho-37-1229)

Included annotation: S-205, Exhibits.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-1229/

img Camp high school brass band (ddr-densho-37-533)

Original WRA caption: Rohwer Relocation Center, McGehee, Arkansas. A part of the brass section of the High School Band, at the Rohwer Center. The students learning to play instruments for the band are former Californians, who, with their parents, were evacuated from stratiegic west coast areas.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-533/

img Camp Boy Scouts (ddr-densho-37-427)

Original WRA caption: Heart Mountain Relocation Center, Heart Mountain, Wyoming. Boy Scouts conducting a morning flag raising ceremony at the Heart Mountain Relocation Center. Where persons of Japanese ancestry, evacuated from West Coast defennse areas, now reside.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-427/

img Vegetables on display (ddr-densho-37-1232)

Included annotation: S-208, Exhibits.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-1232/

doc Amache YWCA Board Meeting Minutes (ddr-densho-356-830)

Minutes from the Amache YWCA's Board meeting on Organizing the New Board on May 29, 1943. This meeting also covered reports on YWCA setup, important dates, and Hospitality House activities. Business covered at the meeting: Purpose for YWCA board, board functions, selection of chairman and officers, discussion of meeting dates.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-830/

img Block 63 exhibit (ddr-densho-37-1225)

Included annotation: S-201, Exhibits.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-1225/

img Downbeat (band) farewell (ddr-densho-37-130)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-37-130/

doc Invitation (ddr-densho-356-303)

Invitation to Yuriko Domoto Tsukada to attend Toquiwa's membership tea on December 20th. Item tied together with all objects between ddr-densho-356-277 and ddr-densho-356-320.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-303/

doc Monthly Report on Topaz Boy Scouts (ddr-densho-356-901)

Monthly Report on Topaz Boy Scouts for the month of March. Includes scout activities, and issues the troop faces due to circumstances.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-901/

doc Report on Advisory Board Meeting (ddr-densho-356-833)

Meeting minutes and report from the advisory board meeting.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-356-833/