Childrens Summer Camp
August 2007
Trevor Steward Renshi

Summer camp 2007. Ishin Ryu students from the Thetford, Brandon, Dereham and Honbu Dojo's, got together for their annual week long summer camp. Many had been on the course over the last three years so it was great for them to meet up with old friends. The infants enjoyed two hours of activities which included lots of fun, games and lots of physical exercise. It was a great way for all the children to get together instead of being at home with nothing to do. Each morning the infants and juniors were taken outside for their warm up and a game of stand up bulldog. Once the warm up was finished it was back inside for the students to start their day of activities. Over the five days the infants were taught in many different aspects of Ju-Jitsu and plenty of fun and games. Students getting a pre morning warm up. Infants enjoying their team events. Infants working as a team to solve the puzzle. Winning teams completed puzzle. Florence in a winning position. Every day the instructors nominated two students who they thought had worked and achieved the most throughout the day. The students with the most votes were awarded "Best Achievement" trophy at the end of the week. Jess and Isabel helping out the instructors.   Jess and mia capturing Harry. Infants enjoying a game of bulldog assault course. Award winners: Jessica Steward, Isabel Holman, Jordan Hunter, Florence Cornwall, Rachel Drury, Evan Skye's, Edward Whiffin, John Ward, Eden Marsh and Jake Vincent. Infants with their awards and medals at the end of the course. Juniors getting warm up outside. The juniors were kept very busy for five hours a day with all aspects of ju-jitsu. They were also put through lots of physical exercise. Junior being put through their paces with the blockers. Callum and Liam working with the pads. Next year we are starting our first ever interclub competitions and national competitions for grappling and takedown and submission which will be held at the Thetford Leisure Centre. Samantha during one of her competitions. Students being pushed during a fitness session. This will mean for the first time since the organisation was started students will be able to enter into competition and achieve the title of Club Champions, Regional, Champion and National champion. Students being tested against A push with a strike. Students competing in takedown with submission. During the summer camp students were taught grappling and takedown techniques with submissions to help them with the competitions that were held at the end of the week. The techniques and counter techniques that they did during their contests were amazing to watch and they really put their heart and soul into each contest. There are some very talented children who could become top competitors of the future. Students letting of steam during a fun session. Juniors having a go with the exercise balls. Award winners. The juniors were also had two free sessions of fun time in the swimming pool with the flume and wave machine. And I don't know why but as usual they all enjoyed throwing balls at me and Lisa. On the days that they didn't swim they had the last lesson as a fun session, which included things like Dodge Ball, Bouncy Castle with Blockers and much more. Congratulations to the following juniors that were presented with Best Achievements for each day: Jason Marsh, Joanne Searle, Harry White, Ellyn Ward and Philip Greenaway. Grappling Competition winners: 1st Place: Joseph Munday, 2nd Place: Kyle King, and 3rd Place: Jason Marsh Takedown with submission winners: 1st Place: Samantha Searle, 2nd Place: Adam Westwood's, and 3rd Place: Alex Whiffin Like the Achievement Award throughout the week the instructors nominated three students who had shown true samurai ways from all aspects of their training. Not just on techniques or during competitions, simple things like helping other students, being part of a team. The Samurai Shield is always the one that the students want to win, so this year I decided to have to Samurai Shield Winners. The winner for the boys went to Terry Whiffin and the winner for the girls went to Joanne Searle. Well done to all the juniors for achieving so much throughout the week. I look forward in seeing you all next year's Ishin Ryu Summer Camp. Trevor Steward Renshi