- 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)
Children’s Saturday class will be from 8:00 to 9 AM, followed by the Teens’ class from 9:05 to 10:15AM. Children’s Tuesday class will be from 5 until to 5:50 PM, followed by Teens’ class from 5:50 to 6:45PM. On Sunday there will be a class for Children with color belts and Teens from 1:30 to 2:45PM. There will be no class on the following dates for the 2023/24 program year:
- Nov 22nd – Nov 26th — Thanksgiving Week
- Dec 16th — Origami Party
- Dec 22nd – Jan 5th — Winter Break
- Jan 6th — Classes resume
- Mar 23rd — Spring Break
- May 27th — Memorial Day
- Jun 1st — End of Year/Belt Ceremony
- Jun 15th — Youth Program Last Day
Please note that the Youth Schedule generally follows the Montgomery County School System for days off due to snow and other weather related issues.
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.
Please keep in mind that the monthly fee permits attendance at all two Children’s classes a week, and Teens may attend all those classes plus the three Teen classes each week.
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. If you have any questions, please email AikidoSDYouthProgram@gmail.com.
Promotions
Promotions and belts are awarded at the discretion of the instructors. Kyu tests 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; however, 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, 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.
Enrollment
Please download and read the following documents:
Form #1. Orientation Information
Form #2. Class Schedule and Year Calendar
Form #3. Contact Information, and
Form #4. Self-Registration Guide for Zen Planner.
In order to enroll in the Youth Program, please:
(i) complete the Contact Information Form#3 and email it to
AikidoSDYouthProgram@gmail.com and Manager@aikido-shobukan.org, and
(ii) register following the Self-Registration Guide for Zen Planner Form #4.