CAMDEN — In a tradition going back almost 20 years, the Camden-Rockport Middle School has participated in a cultural exchange program with sister schools in Aomori Prefecture in Hirakawa, Japan. Like they have each winter since the program began, 10 Japanese middle school students arrived Jan. 5 in Camden, for a week-long stay with local families of CRMS eighth-grade students.

Jaime Stone, principal at CRMS, is enjoying her second year hosting the Japanese students at the school.

"It's simply wonderful," she said. "Every year it's just remarkable to watch the students make the connections to each other. Last night at the welcome dinner, there wee just so many nervous children that quickly turned into smiling, very caring connected kids. Children have a lot of similarities cross-culture, but it's the smiles that really connect us."

Following their arrival and official welcome Tuesday night, the exchange students went to school with their peers Wednesday and the day began in the school's mini-theater, with the CRMS band playing the national anthems of Japan and the United States. The assembly was for the eighth-grade students. The rest of the student body would meet the exchange students later in the cafeteria.

Stone reflected on what the exchange meant to the school while addressing the assembly.

"When two wonderful cultures come together there are always so many things we wonder about one another," she said. "In your visit this week, I hope that you not look for differences, but rather the similarities between us. I hope you all share smiles and make our visitors feel welcome here this week."

The exchange students and their chaperones stay with host families during their stay.

Mr. Yoshiyasu Haga, one of the chaperones, said he was very excited to be here.

"We are very happy to meet everyone," he said. "The relationship between Hirakawa and Camden has been going on for 20 years. The students who came over here before from Hirakawa have held dear in their hearts for many years the experiences they had at Camden-Rockport Middle School. I am grateful, happy and overjoyed to be here for my second year."

As a tradition, there was a gift exchange between the two countries. Haga and Stone traded wrapped gifts. From the middle school was a platter decorated with birch trees that are a very important part of Maine culture.

Japan's gift was a zodiac set depicting the characters of the oriental zodiac. Each small statue is associated with a year and each animal characterizes a person’s nature and personality.

Following the ceremony, each exchange student was introduced to the assembly by their host, who included a few words about what their student-guest liked.

Thursday the students were to work on tiles in the art department and go ice skating in the afternoon. Friday will be calligraphy, baking and a dance on Friday night. Saturday and Sunday are reserved for family time with a farewell party Sunday night. Monday morning the students depart Camden for Portland by bus for the trip back home to Japan.