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2002 Summer Camp Is A Big Hit
The 10th annual Rocky Mountain Martial Arts youth summer camp was a huge success. The event was attended by 28 enthusiastic kids ranging in age from 5 years old to 16 and beginner to black belt. More students from Deer Lodge attended this year as well. The instructors did a tremendous job and taught the kids Taekwondo, Judo and Aikido. They taught them proper falling techniques and how to avoid injury when thrown or falling.
Guest instructors and speakers taught them about safety in the home as well as on the street, in school, and the school yard playground. Fred Giacimino of Big Brothers and Sisters taught a class on child empowerment. Ellen Donohue of Safe Space explained to them about their right to be safe in their own home. Holly McCamant from the YMCA taught them about nutrition and how the body uses the food that one eats. Captain George Skulitich from the Sheriffs office talked to them about the abductions that have been happening across the country and gave them pointers on how to avoid this danger. The one thing that all the guest instructors had observed was how well informed these kids were and that they also learned from them.
The big day finally arrived for the campout. Some headed out early to take campers out to the campsite while most met at RMMA at 6:00 p.m. and formed a convoy that was about a block long. It is only a little over a half hour drive to the camp so we got there in plenty of time to set up camp and still have plenty of time left for some fun. Darlene Beckett made sloppy Joes with salads, fruit and snacks. The kids either headed for the obstacle course or the stream. The obstacle course was fantastic. There were three of the biggest hay bales that I have ever seen for the contestants to climb over. There was a big tractor tire to climb through, a net to go under and a long pipe that that was like running a log. The ¼ mile course was marked off with banners provided by Matt Krsul of Red Line Sports. Allen Grantham designed the course and he and his wife Sherri built it. Unfortunately, while trying out the course the night before the campout, Allen’s dog decided to join him and got under foot while Allen was jumping, the result was a broken leg for Allen. Allen said he renamed the dog right on the spot. Allen put his heart into this campout and said nothing was going to stop him from being there. It didn’t, he was there the whole time. That night we were treated by Mother Nature to a great rain storm complete with a thunder and lightning display.
The next morning started out about 6:00a.m. With an hour and a half workout and stretch led by Zac Cannada, Bill Pascoe and Forrest Wehr. Adults also attended the camp workout. There were about 70 people total. Sherri Grantham, daughter Kaila and Sherri’s parents Doug and Mary Tamcke treated everyone to breakfast. They cooked scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage and Doug cooked pancakes over a campfire. Doug also loaned mowers and tractors to set up the course.
Right after breakfast was another Taekwondo workout to warm everybody up for the mountain run. A special moment came during the workout when Mr. Grantham showed up on crutches and presented Forrest Wher with his second Gup promotion. The obstacle course was next on the agenda with every one running in single file. That was a sight to behold. Every part of the course held a special challenge but those huge hay bails at the finish line was the high light. Nobody had an easy time getting over them except for maybe 5 year old Julia Boyd. Nothing seems to slow her down.
The mountain run was a little over a mile long. It started out at the bottom of the hill and ran along the base for about a half mile, then turned up a hill that was both steep and rocky. The trail led back toward the camp and ended on top of a hill looking down on the camp. Another workout was done on top of the hill and then the run back. Before too many brag about how well they did on that run I hope they noticed that Ilona ran it with little Danny on her shoulders.
After the mountain run everyone warmed down and stretched out. Then everyone enjoyed the picnic prepared, again, by Darlene Beckett. This time though the gourmet hamburgers were prepared and cooked by Chef Jeff.
The rest of the day was spent doing challenge obstacle course races, playing volley ball, shooting archery and gathering frogs and pollywogs. Everyone visited and many new friendships were made. My new friend Jon showed me how to make cowboy coffee but there was a little more “cow” than I could handle so I just watched him enjoy his creation, ashes and all. Many asked to have this campout become an annual event, we were invited by the Grantham’s and the Tamcke’s to do just that. Everyone at RMMA thanks them for their gracious hospitality and generosity and we plan to be back next year.
To view pictures go to RMMA photo gallery, album 3.
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