Aikido Summer Camp for Kids
Registration Now Open for 2024
July 22 - 26 ~ Ages 6 - 12
"Think of the world as one true family, without limits, without end. Be a light in the world. The past, present, and future, countless generations, millions of years, are all within you."
--Morihei Ueshiba O-Sensei, founder of Aikido (1883 - 1969)
Aikido is a dynamic, non-competitive Japanese martial art whose guiding principle is harmony: within oneself, with others, and with nature. Students develop physical techniques, mental focus, interpersonal skills, and a peaceful spirit.
The regular young people’s classes at Aikido of Santa Cruz take the month of July off, but the Aikido Summer Camp for Kids takes place every year for one week in July. It is five days of fun, filled with Aiki games, practice with the Japanese wooden staff and wooden sword, a day of outdoor training (at DeLaveaga Park), and a lesson in Japanese brush calligraphy! And of course lots of training in Aikido techniques, rolling, "blending", and centering. Students learn non-violent resolutions to conflict while having fun in a safe environment.
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The camp is also available through Santa Cruz Parks & Rec., but we ask that our students register directly with us so that 100% of the fees goes to support our dojo’s programs.
Aikido Summer Camp 2024 at a glance:
Dates: July 22 - 26
Times: 12:00 - 2:00 pm
Place: Aikido of Santa Cruz (306 Mission St.) Mon., Tues., Thurs., & Fri
DeLaveaga Park, Weds.
Ages: 6 - 12
Cost: $115
Aikido of Santa Cruz is a non-profit educational organization serving the community since 1982. We welcome sincere students of any race, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or ethnic background.
Questions? Call us at 831-423-8326, or email info@aikidosantacruz.org
“We chose Aikido over other programs because of its focus on peaceful solutions over aggression, avoidance over confrontation. The summer camp was wonderful, because the instructors and assistants spoke with such calm voices and treated all the children with respect, expecting the same in return.” − Aikido parent
New and Experienced students welcome
Besides learning Aikido techniques and having fun, the camp is an introduction to Japanese culture and traditions, including etiquette and mutual respect.
Camp is fun, so we play a lot of games. Aiki games are designed to emphasize some aspect of the training, such as awareness, agility, or centering.
Outdoor training
On Wednesday, the camp meets at DeLaveaga Park. We will take advantage of the extra space to work with the Japanese wooden staff and/or wooden sword.
The beautiful setting at DeLaveaga Park also helps us to renew our connection with nature, which was one of O-Sensei's principles of budo. In this picture, the group, at DeLaveaga Creek, is practicing shin kokyu, a meditation and centering practice that O-Sensei did at the beginning of every Aikido class that he taught. O-Sensei called on those who practice Aikido to take on the role of protectors, not only of people, but also of the natural world.
“Those who practice the Art of Peace must protect the domain of Mother Nature, the divine reflection of creation, and keep it lovely and fresh. Warriorship gives birth to natural beauty. The subtle techniques of a warrior arise as naturally as the appearance of spring, summer, autumn and winter. Warriorship is none other than the vitality that sustains all life.”
--O-Sensei
Calligraphy Day
On Thursday the group receives a lesson in Japanese brush calligraphy. The students learn to write one of the characters Ai (harmony), Ki (energy), or Do (the Way) which make up Aikido: "The Way of Harmonizing Energy".
We study calligraphy at Aikido Camp because it is a part of Japanese culture, because O-Sensei and many of his students studied calligraphy, and because the study of Shodo (calligraphy) develops the kind of focus and flow needed for Aikido techniques. You will see many beautiful pieces of Japanese calligraphy displayed on the walls at Aikido of Santa Cruz.
Click here to register for the Aikido Summer Camp.
Click here to learn about the ongoing young people’s classes at Aikido of Santa Cruz.
Click here to learn about adult classes at Aikido of Santa Cruz.
At the end of camp on Friday there is a short presentation ceremony in which each student receives a certificate similar to the one below.
