Songdowon stands for an area forested with pine trees. It is one of the tourist destinations on the east coast of Korea.

The camp is associated with the warm love of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il for posterity.

The camp site was fixed personally by President Kim Il Sung.

It was in June Juche 48 (1959) when he was making a guidance tour of Kangwon Province.

Fascinated by the scenic beauty of Songdowon, the President suggested building a children's camp there. He said that children are kings in the DPRK and their camp should be built in such scenic spot.

Afterwards, he gave detailed tasks for building the camp, paying deep attention to the overall construction.

The camp began its operation on August 17, 1960.

The President sent to the camp color TV sets, tape recorders and musical instruments to ensure the happy life of the campers.

It was on March 30, 1993 when leader Kim Jong Il visited the newly-built Songdowon International Children's Camp.

He expressed satisfaction over the camp's location and acquainted himself with problems arising in managing the camp.

Later, he sent as gifts to the camp many facilities conducive to better the camping of schoolchildren.

The camp, with a total floor space of 40,000 square meters, can accommodate more than 1,200 campers in a shift.

The manager of the camp, Kim Gon, told KCNA:

"The camp houses over 220 bedrooms and International Friendship Juvenile Hall, music room, indoor swimming pool, wading pool, amusement facilities, boating ground and dancing hall.

The camp has accepted more than 350,000 campers up till now. Over ten thousands of them were students from other countries."