Outdoor camp allows the instructor to experiment a little with training methods in situations that are out of the ordinary. Having students spar on the side of a hill or on muddy ground gives them a chance to sharpen defense skills in settings that are less than ideal.
Outdoor winter camps for tae kwon do provide an opportunity for both students and the dojo to reap considerable benefits. The sometimes rough weather and conditions prepare students for experiences they might not otherwise get in the dojo.
A good number of masters and instructors in the martial arts advocate the use of outdoor training. In addition to taking a person away from the comfort and security of a dojo, training in a realistic setting offers a number of subtle benefits that enhance the development of a solid martial artist. Productive outdoor training camps, however, require a fair amount of planning and logistical considerations. Winter outdoor training in particular requires sound preparation because of the unfavorable weather conditions that may be encountered. Master Mark Geygan, 6th Dan Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, has planned and supervised winter camps for more than 20 years. In the years he has devoted to designing good winter camp programs, Master Geygan has developed an understanding of the nuances of winter training in the outdoors, which have served both him and his students well.
Determining the location for the camp is the first thing to consider. State parks with winterized cabins are ideal. Master Geygan recommends that reservations be made at least two months in advance so that a sufficient number of cabins can be assured. This, of course, means obtaining a financial commitment from students in the form of a nonrefundable deposit. The master sponsoring the camp and his or her instructors need to visit the intended training site if they are not already familiar with it. Such a visit not only allows the instructors to inspect the facilities, but also permits them a chance to survey the area and make note of the terrain. A good knowledge of the outdoor environment and the nuances of the site will prove highly useful when the training camp is under way.
Weather conditions are critical and should not be ignored. "We have practiced in conditions where the wind chill was minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit," said Master Geygan. "Anyone who is not dressed for the weather is in danger of hypothermia or much worse." Traditional uniforms are ordinarily made of heavy material and can retain body heat. Wearing a stocking cap, gloves or mittens, thermal underwear, woolen socks, and a sturdy pair of shoes or boots will keep a student comfortably warm. Master Geygan also suggests that students always move around to keep the blood circulating.
A typical outdoor camp is held from Friday night to Sunday morning, and active training starts after dark on Friday night. "Training at night is totally different than daytime training," says Geygan. "Because of adverse weather conditions and darkness, the student has to concentrate on what he or she is doing. Not being able to see too clearly means that a person has to rely on senses such as hearing and touch; human attributes that are not given a great deal of attention in an ordinary dojo setting." Night training is best done in a wooded area, where the trees and foliage serve to test the student's ability to work under less than optimal conditions. In choosing a training site, Master Geygan always tries to find one near a hill, and use the hill for sidekick training. Having students kick up and then down the hill is a superior leg conditioner. Other landscape features that can enhance training are an open field, a shallow ravine, an area cluttered with fallen branches and stones, and patches of ground with an accumulation of snow.
Saturday training is usually divided into two sessions, morning and afternoon. Master Geygan makes certain to schedule a three to five hour interval between the morning and afternoon sessions so that the students are not over-worked and have an opportunity to rest.
The training emphasizes self-defense and conditioning in more or less equal measure. "While I have a general outline of training to be performed, what the instructor has the students do to achieve the training objectives is the decision of that instructor," explains Master Geygan. "What is most important is to keep the students moving, and making them do interesting drills that distract them from thinking about the weather." Outdoor camp allows the instructor to experiment a little with training methods in situations that are out of the ordinary. Having students spar on the side of a hill or on muddy ground gives them a chance to sharpen defense skills in settings that are less than ideal. In all of the training sessions, Master Geygan strongly advises attention to safety in harsh weather. "We have made a point of telling older students to keep an eye out for the younger students. If an adult notices a child complaining of wet, cold hands, that adult is to tell the instructor immediately, and the child is taken aside to get his or her hands dried. The same holds true if the youngster is overly fatigued; we remove the child from practice and send the kid to his or her cabin to rest." Master Geygan puts a great deal of responsibility for safety on the shoulders of his instructors. "In winter camp, the instructors carry with them an extra pair of gloves at all times and, if possible, a towel. Anyone who complains of freezing or wet hands is attended to immediately. We avoid possible cases of frostbite this way."
Sunday is the last day of the camp and there is a special meaning given to it. Physical training is light, and an emphasis is given to the spiritual and inner meanings of tae kwon do. Meditation is a key part of what goes on. Students are assembled just before sunrise and asked to begin meditation facing east. The intent is that just as the students are finished with their meditation, they are able to view the sunrise. "The effect of this is awesome," says Master Geygan. "My students learn quite a bit at winter camp, but the Sunday meditation has an impact that stays with a student for a long time afterwards." Intangible benefits come from other elements of winter camp as well. The adverse conditions of the weather and the geography sharpen a student's martial acuity, forcing him or her to adapt to situations that go beyond the textbook examples. Winter camp poses a challenge to the student in the shape of environmental impediments.
As the student overcomes the obstacles of winter camp, he or she develops a greater sense of self-confidence and pride. Camaraderie and fellowship are lasting rewards of winter camps. Through experiences shared under adverse conditions, students develop a better understanding and appreciation of each other. "I have had students who didn't know each other, or didn't even like each other, who became good friends because of winter camp," says Master Geygan. "That's good for the student and for the dojo as well. Students who have gone to winter camp stay with us much longer than those have not."
Master Geygan cautions that the way to guarantee a disaster is for the camp sponsors and instructors to plan and execute activities as they go along. Two to three days is a long time to attempt to do things spontaneously. Sooner or later, a poorly planned activity schedule bogs down and students are left out in the cold with nothing to do, and this needs to be avoided. Outdoor winter camps provide an opportunity for both students and the dojo to reap considerable benefits. The outdoor training conducted in wintry weather offers superior learning experiences, and the camps are well worth the time and effort one puts into the planning and preparation.
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