2026-2027 School Year Class Schedule*
| Tuesdays | Children | 5:00 pm – 5:50 pm |
| Teen | 5:50 pm – 6:45 pm | |
| Fridays | Children with Color Belts and Teens Class (includes weapons) | 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm |
| Saturdays | Children | 8:00 am – 9:00 am |
| Teen | 9:05 am – 10:15 am | |
| Sundays | Children with Color Belts | 1:30 pm – 2:15pm |
| Teens | 1:45 pm – 3:00 pm |
Monthly tuition covers all classes listed above.
Age Range:
• Children’s Class: Approximately 6 to 11 years old (for younger children, you are welcome to consult with the lead instructor)
• Teens’ Class: 12 to 18 years old (starting age to join teens’ class may vary per assessment of lead instructor)
Please note that the Youth Schedule generally follows the Montgomery County School System for days off due to snow and other weather-related issues.
Annual Schedule of Events
| Saturday, August 29 2026 | Classes Resume |
| Tuesday Nov 24 – Sunday, Nov 29 2026 | Thanksgiving Break |
| Tuesday Dec 1, 2026 | Classes Resume |
| Saturday Dec 12, 2026 | Origami Party |
| Saturday Dec 19, 2026 – Sunday Jan 3, 2027 | Winter Break |
| Tuesday January 5, 2027 | Classes Resume |
| Friday March 26 – Friday April 2, 2027 | Spring Break |
| Tuesday April 6, 2027 | Classes Resume |
| Saturday May 29, 2027 | End of Year/Belt Ceremony Children Classes Last Day |
| Saturday June 5, 2027 | Teen Classes Last Day Youth Program Last Day |
| Sunday June 6 – Friday August 27, 2027 | Summer Break |
| Saturday August 28, 2027 | Classes Resume |
Pricing
Dues for the Youth Program, both the Children’s and Teen classes are $75/month for each student. For families with more than one youth enrolled, the fee for the second child will be $65/month, and for those with three, the third will be $55/month. The dues listed are for recurring payments, by credit card or bank draft. Dues paid by check are $10 more per child/family. Checks can be made out to Aikido Shobukan Dojo, or ASD. Please write “youth program” and your child’s name in the memo area. Checks should be placed in the Black Box in the office.
Forms for automated payment of dues will be available on and after September after each new year.
For the monthly fee, children with white belts may attend the two Children’s classes a week (Tuesdays and Saturdays), children with color belts may attend four Children’s classes a week (Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays) and the teens may attend all four Teens’ classes a week (Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays). Teens helping as mentors may also attend the Children’s classes. Please see the schedule above.
Communications
To facilitate communication, we collect home and email addresses and phone numbers for all families. We ask all families participating in the Youth Program to provide their contact information, and to periodically check their contact information to ensure it is up to date. To receive updates about the program via the ASD Youth Program WhatsApp, please message (202) 944-0084, or email AikidoSDYouthProgram@gmail.com. Please also email AikidoSDYouthProgram@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Promotions
Promotions and belts are awarded at the discretion of the instructors. Kyu tests and promotions for teens are given to designate a degree of proficiency in the art of Aikido. Please refer to the separate Guidelines for Training for the lists of kyu test techniques.
Community Service
Community service is a school requirement for many of our high school students. If any teen is interested, we normally explore the school’s requirements and the necessary record-keeping.
Dojo Etiquette
- If you plan to watch class, please turn your cell phones off.
- Please keep the volume of your conversations to a minimum during class time.
- Parents are welcome to come to the Dojo during their children’s classes and sit at the lounge. Parents may also sit on the back deck during class. Once class has begun you may not cross the mat to go on the deck or leave the deck until class has ended.
Health Protocol
The use of masks is optional. Before getting on the mat and right after finishing training, children and teens are asked to wash their hands preferably or use sanitizer. Note that the Health Protocol may vary following federal and local health regulations and guidelines.
Attire
Bring uniform/gi to wear, if you do not yet have a uniform, please wear comfortable clothing that covers your legs and arms. When on the mat, do not wear socks, jewelry, arm or wrist bracelets, a watch, or similar items.
Curriculum
Please consult the ASD Youth Program Guidelines for Training here, whose purpose is to set a framework of movements, exercises, and techniques that the children and teenagers will be exposed to and will be training, according to their level, age, physical ability, motor skills and maturity. The Guidelines also provide principles of the art of Aikido. Awareness of the principles may be gained through training and understanding of the reason behind movements and techniques.
Water
Each child and teen in the Youth Program should bring their own water bottle for water breaks during class.
Enrollment
Please download and read the following documents:
Form #1. Orientation Information
Form #2. Contact Information, and
Form #3. Self-Registration Guide for Zen Planner.
In order to enroll in the Youth Program, please:
(i) complete the Contact Information Form#2 and email it to
AikidoSDYouthProgram@gmail.com and Manager@aikido-shobukan.org, and
(ii) register following the Self-Registration Guide for Zen Planner Form #3.