July 15th, 2006
Youth Program group photo with Instructor, Tom Dammen.
For the past twenty eight years, Nippon Kan Youth Program classes have been held for our younger members age seven to fifteen. There are two youth program classes at Nippon Kan; one class for the younger and newer members, and an advanced class for Nippon Kan youth members by special invitation. Depending on the season there are about seventy young people enrolled in Nippon Kan’s Youth Program. The program is designed to teach not only our young members, but their parents and guardians are also encouraged to participate in this program at special times.
Observation by parents is not allowed during regular youth program classes. We have found that parent observation can be too much of a distraction for younger participating members, but every other month, parents are invited to participate in a special class together with their children on Parents Day. Link here for information on Nippon Kan’s Parents Day.
Youth Program promotions are held biannually, and it is a Nippon Kan tradition that most everyone receives a promotion if they have been attending regularly. Since it’s founding, Nippon Kan has never held testing or asked for fees for kyu or dan rankings in both the Youth Program and the adult classes. This is strict Nippon Kan policy. Attendance, participation in community service projects and attitude make up the main criteria for promotion in Nippon Kan’s unique promotion system.
On promotion day there is always excitement in the air as parents, family members and friends gather at the dojo to watch the demonstrations and promotions at this special ceremony. On this occasion, demonstrations were given by the Advanced Youth Program members, and adult uchideshi students.
Excitement and feet in the air!!
Written by Youth Program Instructor Thomas Dammen