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2011
Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation
Southeastern Regional Black Belt Camp
by Senior Master Deborah Jett, Oh Dan
The
Southeastern region of the Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo
Do Federation had its first ever Instructors
Symposium & Annual Black Belt Camp on the weekend of
November 4 - 6, 2011. It was held at Camp ASCCA in
Jackson’s Gap, AL, for the eleventh time.
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Camp
started on Friday morning November 4th at
9 am with over 40 Masters, instructors, and
instructor trainees coming together to learn, grow,
and share. It continued that evening with the fall
cycle black belt test. There were approximately
fifty participants testing or mid-terming, almost
all of whom exceeded their instructors' expectations
to make for a very successful exam. Best test went
to Lydia Potter of Birmingham Academy of Martial
Arts for the teen/children division and Allister
Akong of Karate World of North Georgia for the
adults. Everyone was particularly proud of the three
junior black belt candidates that were testing to
full certification. Those students who didn't
participate in the test were treated to an early
dinner and classes in self-defense (rolls and falls)
and staff (Bong) with Master Michael Jett and Master
Luis Parra-Flores. All in all, this was our largest
camp to date with approximately 170 people
attending. Students came from as far as Texas to
attend.
The
next morning, camp started in earnest with a warm-up
and basics class. Afterwards, the campers split out
to train with the masters on their testing forms.
The rest of the day, everyone was given opportunity
to train with all of the masters in such disciplines
as sparring, breaking, ho sin sul, and weapons. In
the late afternoon, campers were able to choose from
several recreational activities: archery, zip-line,
miniature golf, and or some extra training in the
pavilion. This also served as an opportunity for two
candidates to test for their instructor's license in
front of Kwan Jang Nim and a panel of international
and senior masters. After a fabulous steak dinner,
Kwan Jang Nim gave a talk on martial spirit (Moo Do Chung
Shim). In the evening, the children got to see a
movie, and the teens and some adults communed in
front of a big screen TV to watch the LSU and
Alabama game in the cafeteria. After the game,
adults met by the bonfire to share tales from their
long day of training. It was a great night to form
bonds with people from approximately 14 member
schools.
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On
Sunday morning after breakfast and our group
picture, Kwan Jang Nim oversaw a judging
certification course and then after this, we
finished camp with a session of forms (Sip Soo) to the
drum by Kwan Jang Nim. This has become a camp
tradition, and teaches everyone to really become one
with the selected form. Finally, we ended with a
graduation ceremony for all Instructor Symposium &
Black Belt Camp participants. Kwan Jang Nim also
presented full certification to many black belts and
instructors who had completed a successful six month
probationary or look see period. The highlight
however was Kwan Jang Nim promoting Master Heather
Potter to Senior Master, Oh Dan (5th
Degree Black Belt). This was done with the formal
sword ceremony and with well over 200 watching on.
Camp
seemed to go by quickly again this year. As usual,
we all look forward to the next time we get together
for another great Federation event.
Click for more
photos
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