Your child does not need a background in martial arts to join a summer camp
at Kicks for Kids. In fact, summer camp is a great opportunity for a child to
experience martial arts while also enjoying typical summer camp activities.
Campers can
sign up for a day, week or month, says Shawn Trickett, president of Kicks for
Kids in Burlington. Participants in the after school program are automatically
signed up for summer camp.
“It’s first
and foremost a martial arts camp but there are lots of other activities too.
They can’t do martial arts for eight hours a day,” explains the seasoned
instructor.
Participants
take part in martial arts training for about two hours a day with the balance
of the day spent swimming, bowling, playing games outdoors or going to the
nearby creek and catching minnows and crayfish. If things get a little wild at
camp some days it’s likely because the day’s special guests are from Jungle Cat
World or brought in by the “reptile man”.
There are
excursions most days that can take campers to attractions like Canada’s
Wonderland or to a rock climbing facility.
“Kids would get bored if they did the same
thing every day,” explains Trickett.
It’s obvious
that Kicks for Kids has found the right combination of martial arts and other
activities by the fact that many don’t want to leave at the end of the day.
Trickett judges the success of the program by the smiles on participants’
faces.
“It’s a great
social experience,” adds the head instructor.
In addition
to interacting with fellow campers, participants are mentored by students who
have come up through the Kicks for Kids programs and now act as leaders.
Another bonus is that campers learn how to handle an encounter with a bully or
a dangerous stranger. These skills are also taught through other Kicks for Kids
programs.
Campers can
be dropped off any time after 7 a.m. and picked up any time before 6 p.m.
Similar programs are offered on PA days, March Break and Christmas vacation.
For more
information visit
www.kicksforkids.ca.
