About Stories from Camp

Stories from Camp is a unique historical sleep series that transforms Japanese American incarceration history into gentle, immersive bedtime narratives. Created by a descendant of Tule Lake and Amache, this podcast bridges the gap between historical education and nighttime rest.

Unlike traditional history podcasts, Stories from Camp is designed for bedtime listening. Each episode uses slow-paced narration, atmospheric soundscapes, and first-person diary-style storytelling to help you drift to sleep while absorbing important historical narratives about Japanese American incarceration during World War II.

This is history that calms rather than agitates, educates while you rest, and honors the experiences of those who lived through incarceration by keeping their stories alive in a format accessible to modern listeners.

Sleep stories have emerged as a powerful medium for relaxation and rest. Stories from Camp adapts this format to serve a dual purpose: helping listeners fall asleep while preserving and transmitting historical memory.

The format is intentional and carefully crafted:

• Slow, gentle narration - Designed to calm the mind and prepare for sleep
• First-person perspective - Creates intimacy and emotional connection to historical figures
• Atmospheric soundscapes - Subtle background audio that grounds you in time and place
• Detailed, immersive descriptions - Paint vivid mental images that ease you into sleep
• Respectful tone - Honors the gravity and humanity of these experiences

By listening at bedtime, you absorb these stories in a state of receptivity and rest, allowing the history to settle gently into memory rather than requiring active study.

Stories from Camp explores daily life, experiences, and pivotal moments across the ten major incarceration camps and assembly centers. Each location has unique characteristics, conditions, and stories:

Every story in this series is grounded in verified historical accounts, oral histories, and community memory. While the narrative format uses creative storytelling techniques, the historical details are carefully researched and reviewed for accuracy.

Our sources include:

• Oral histories - Testimonies from survivors and their families
• Primary documents - Letters, diaries, government records, camp newspapers
• Scholarly research - Academic books and articles about incarceration
• Densho Digital Repository - Comprehensive archive of Japanese American history
• Community knowledge - Passed down stories and family histories

As a descendant of Tule Lake and Amache, I approach this work with deep respect for those who lived these experiences. These stories are crafted with care, honoring both historical truth and the humanity of every person who endured incarceration.