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Summer Camp Val-David 2005

Day 1: Settling In

Day 2: Training

Day 3: Training in water

Kobudo Training

Day 4: Competition and awards

Summer Camp Val David 2005

By Sensei Luciano Paparella

I must say without prejudice that Shihan Camille Ohan’s summer camps are getting better and better every year.  This year was the first year that two complete bus loads of karatekas took part in this camp.  We were 68 participants in all. The weather was beautiful throughout this long weekend.  Many first timers as well as many returning veteran karate campers participated this year.

Although we were close to 70 people this year, ranging from 6 years old to 60, we maintained a certain order in all the activities we were involved in. In the seldom cases someone didn’t behave, it became a learning experience for everyone. Team captains had a certain responsibility, and they reported to higher chains of command, and so on. This structure allowed us to coordinate all of our activities with great efficiency and quality.

Shihan Camille Ohan’s summer camps are meant to break away from the city life and dedicate four days to the Kyokushin way. Chalet Beaumont’s modest facilities presented an opportunity for all of us to “rough it” a little, to get out of our comfort zone and make that extra effort in our training.  This retreat allows all of us to make new friends from other dojos and reflect on why we truly train in karate.

As usual, the moment we arrived to Val David and unloaded the bus and settled in, we had our traditional jog.  Some jogged as much as 14 kms in 90 minutes on a very demanding trail. We were all hot, sweaty, and hungry.  This camp included training in several environments and activities – from meditation along a river, to kata training in a public park, to kata and kumite in a lake, to kobudo training in a forest, to outdoor kumite at different levels. This camp had a little of everything, but most especially; it had a good spirit of camaraderie.

On the last day, we all presented ourselves at the outdoor dojo at 6 o’clock in the morning for the kumite competition. This competition was optional, yet 46 brave competitors accepted the challenge.  These competitors demonstrated the “extra effort” that this sort of camp pushes for.  Many of the competitors were already bruised from the training they’ve had the days leading up to this moment, and yet they showed their determination and perseverance on this day.

After breakfast, a quick militaristic type room inspection was done by Shihan Ohan and two officers. If something was out of place, all the people of that room were rewarded with pushups.

Before lunch was served, awards were presented in different categories: Spirit/motivation, cardio, politeness, team spirit, and several others. Thanks to a new system that Shihan Ohan put in place, several experienced evaluators were chosen to recognize people that deserved to be rewarded in selected categories.

After lunch, we all helped to load the buses, take final photos, and say good bye to new and old friends. This camp marked many with great memories and the motivation to continue to train in this wonderful way of life.

Until next year,

Osu!

Sensei Luciano