Aug 25th, 2007
Support from adult members is very valuable for the youth program.
Summer midterm promotions for Nippon Kan’s Youth Program were held on August 25th. For over 20 years Nippon Kan has held two youth program classes, one for all youth program members and one class for our more advanced members. Depending on the season, Nippon Kan has about 70 of our younger students in the program. Once, every other month, parents are invited to attend “Parents Day” where they are allowed to watch or participate in the Youth Program classes. Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend Parents Day so that they understand what the Nippon Kan Aikido program is all about. Observation on days other than Parents Day is not allowed. It is part of the Nippon Kan teaching philosophy that young people come to class to learn and develop and have fun, not to perform for their parents.
Promotions Day is a day of celebration for our youth program members and all students who have been attending regularly receive a promotion. Nippon Kan does not hold testing or ask for promotion fees from its youth program or adult members, which is quite unique in the world of martial arts; many dojos depend primarily on testing and promotional fees for survival. Promotions for all members at Nippon Kan are based instead on attendance, effort, attitude and participation in local volunteer projects. Homma Kancho says: “It does not speak well for a dojo to depend on children promotions or children’s class fees to fund its operations. A dojo needs to have a well rounded and stable curriculum for adults and youth program members. Here at Nippon Kan we are able to keep our youth program fees at a minimum ($25.00 per month) because our adult programs are stable.”