For the first time since 2019, the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles proudly welcomed youth from the Nagoya YMCA for a week of cultural immersion, friendship, and adventure.

This summer’s visit was the result of renewed talks in 2024, when a delegation from Nagoya YMCA, led by their President & CEO Takashi Nakamura and staff lead Kenichi Hirose, traveled to Los Angeles to reconnect with the LA Y. During that visit, they met with key LA Y leaders, including Victor Dominguez, President & CEO, and Steve MacAller, District Vice President and Executive Director of the Torrance-South Bay YMCA—the center that has historically championed and supported the Nagoya exchange.

Following that pivotal meeting, our teams spent more than six months in thoughtful planning—coordinating logistics, aligning schedules, and crafting an itinerary designed to not only rekindle the partnership but to ensure that Nagoya’s youth would enjoy an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime Los Angeles experience. Every detail was intentional, with the goal of blending the wonder of LA exploration with the heart of YMCA community building.

This year’s program, led once again by Kenichi Hirose with the invaluable support of dedicated volunteer Ai Kato, was designed around a week at YMCA Camp Whittle—a place where Japanese and LA youth could integrate, share experiences, and build understanding through the power of play, teamwork, and the outdoors.

The visit kicked off in Torrance with interactive ESL lessons, creative projects at the Youth Institute, and a joyful welcome dinner with YMCA friends. From there, the group dove into adventures at Disneyland, explored Huntington Beach, and geared up for their big outdoor experience at camp.

But nature had other plans. A nearby wildfire forced an evacuation of Camp Whittle after just one day—a curveball that could have dampened spirits. Instead, our teams rallied. Working closely with the Torrance-South Bay YMCA, we reshaped the remainder of the visit into a rich and memorable alternative itinerary. Special thanks go to Cassie, Isaias, Isa, and Sandee—key staff from the Torrance South Bay YMCA—whose commitment, adaptability, and excitement helped make the exchange possible. Their dedication truly embodied the YMCA spirit and ensured that the Nagoya youth felt welcomed and cared for every step of the way.

The youth enjoyed the Academy Museum, got to visit UCLA, explored Hollywood, cheered on the Dodgers, and capped their trip with a backyard-style farewell BBQ. What could have been a setback became an opportunity for even deeper connection—proving that resilience is not just about weathering challenges, but about transforming them into new and unexpected joys.

At its core, this work is about more than travel or sightseeing—it’s about creating a global sense of belonging. The YMCA’s mission transcends borders, languages, and geography. Whether in Los Angeles or Nagoya, it is our shared humanity, our compassion, and our commitment to one another that bring out the best in us. Through experiences like this, we give young people the chance to see themselves as part of a larger, interconnected world—one where understanding, kindness, and friendship are the true measures of success.

This rekindled exchange is just the beginning. We’re committed to continuing and growing this partnership, with hopes to make it a true two-way exchange by sending our youth to Nagoya in the near future. The friendships made this summer will carry forward, bridging cultures and inspiring young leaders on both sides of the Pacific.