Last Month

We had our first summer camp from June 23^rd to June 27^th. 11 MVKS students joined me and my helpers, Zachary and Mackenzie Peacock for a weeks’ worth of fun activities that included a kickball game at McCollum Field, a nature hike to Purgatory falls, a day of glow bowling in Nashua, a challenging obstacle course and tug of war, and a double feature movie day, complete with a pizza lunch and ice cream in the afternoon. Of course, karate classes were held all week too, with members taking 5 classes throughout the week, and  special classes on conflict resolution and stranger danger. This is our 4^th year holding these special camps, and many of these kids have been there for all 4. It’s been one of the special events at MVKS that I look forward to every year. Our second session is coming up this month on the 28^th, and I’m looking forward to that one as well. We still have 4 openings if anyone is interested.

We started holding classes outside on the side lawn on Saturdays. Weather permitting, we will continue to have them outside all summer long. I am a big advocate of training in different environments and terrains, and we are very fortunate to be able to use the side lawn of the McCollum Bldg for our classes. It’s a nice change of pace, and with the summer season being so short here in new England, I can’t help but take advantage of it. As a reminder, students do not need to wear their uniforms for these classes, however, an MVKS t shirt is recommended. Also, please consider bringing bug spray. Those black flies and mosquitoes can be brutal.

This Month...

Summer Camp Session Two!
Our second summer camp is scheduled for July 28^th thru August 1^st. All students attending the camp are reminded to complete their registration forms and waivers for this camp. Please see me if you haven’t filled out these forms yet.  

The Infamous MVKS Obstacle Course Challenge!
Join us Saturday, July 26^th on the side lawn for the Obstacle course challenge! Come on down anytime that day between 10:00 - 12:00 and take on this difficult course! Students can run the course as many times as they’d like, and try to record the best times. We’ll break it down into age divisions, and prizes will be awarded for each division. There will also be a prize for the best overall time

Other News and Notes

-Mr Wedlake ( My Instructors’ instructor ) will be conducting seminars in August at the Manchester Karate Studio. Visit our website or Manchesterkarate.com for more info 

-It seems like yesterday, but this fall marks the 10^th anniversary of our Kenpo Camps. Join us in Holden, Ma. For our special 10^th anniversary camp!  Visit our website for more info.

 -Are you going on vacation? Let us know so that we can devise a plan that works for you so that we can keep you on track. Did you know that we offer free 15 min privates
( they‘re a great easy way to pick up a technique you missed ), as well as paid privates in ½ hour and 1 hour segments. A ½ hour segment is worth one class point, and an hour is worth 3 points. Hour segments may be shared by up to two people.  

 -Now that Summer is finally here, it’s not uncommon to see many kids coming to class that have been barefoot all day. Please help keep our school clean by washing your feet before class.

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Happy Birthday!!!
- Another year older and wiser…..

Happy Birthday!!! - Another year older and wiser…..

7/ 15...Michael Murphy, 7/ 16...Colin Robb, Ethan Trzepacz

7/ 21...Alex Girard, 7/ 23...Bryce and Spencer Desmairais, Tim Driscoll, 7/ 26...Tamanna Gandhi

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New Ranks!!   Please join me in congratulating these fine students for earning their new belts!

2^nd degree Black Belt: Scott Dannewitz, Zach Peacock

Brown Belt: Michelle Dion, Michael and Brian Murphy, Chase Patton, Camryn Quinlan

Green Belt: Tamanna Gandhi, Jacob Williams

Orange Belt: Joey Brisson, Seamus Othot

Yellow Belt: Joey Altobello, Jed Jones, Nick Lorman, Tyler Martin, Andy Olson, Daniel Trzepacz, Tim Trzepacz

Who Packs Your Parachute? 

Charles Plumb was a navy jet pilot. On his seventy-sixth combat mission, he was shot down and parachuted into enemy territory. He was captured and spent six years in prison. He survived and now lectures on the lessons he learned from his experiences.

One day, a man approached Plumb and his wife in a restaurant, and said, "Are you Plumb the navy pilot?"

"Yes, how did you know?" asked Plumb.

"I packed your parachute," the man replied.

Plumb was amazed - and grateful: "If the chute you packed hadn't worked I wouldn't be here today..."

Plumb refers to this in his lectures: his realization that the anonymous sailors who packed the parachutes held the pilots' lives in their hands, and yet the pilots never gave these sailors a second thought; never even said hello, let alone said thanks.