Aikido      Judo      Jujitsu     

Home

Class Schedule

Events

Instructors

Photos

Newsletter

Martial Arts Links

Map to Dojo

Contact Us

Voice of the Fox
The Newsletter of the Martial Arts Training Service

Summer Camp Checklist
by Barbara Young
Summer 1998

You're taking off for Aikido Camp in a few short days, but do you have everything you'll need? Use this checklist of useful items to make your packing easier. We assume you're flying and want to keep your load as light as possible. For those heavy but indispensable items like bottled water and Coca-Cola, you can make a grocery run shortly after arrival. Towels, sheets and blankets are provided at camp.

Here are some suggestions for items to bring:

• As many uniforms as you own and can carry. Two is the absolute minimum. You don't want to spend every evening in the laundromat.

• Two hakama, if possible (if you wear hakama). One can be hanging to air out while you wear the other.

• An extra obi (belt). White is always in fashion.

• Four sets (minimum) of whatever supporting underwear you need for practice. Men as well as women should bring white t-shirts. Something absorbent between you and your gi may give you an extra class between launderings.

• Knee brace, wrist band, ankle strap. Whatever you need to keep body and soul together.

• A small roll of red tape for marking injured body parts. You might not need it now, but ...

• While you're at it, toss in one or two flexible ice packs.

• Eyeglass retaining strap, if necessary. Contact lens wearers should bring an extra pair of lenses and bottles of your favorite solutions.

• Several small hand towels for wiping off sweat during practice

• Water bottle

• Zoris (flip-flops, thong sandals) for walking to and from the practice area

• Weapons. Um ... I mean exercise equipment. (Never, never say the word “weapons” in an airport.) You'll need a bokken with a tsuba (hand guard), a jo, and a tanto. You should carry them in a sturdy bag, because you will have to check them as baggage.

• Hat or cap for the sun

• Shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc. Tiny travel sizes won’t last the week. Bring full-size bottles that are half full or less to save weight, and soap in a pump bottle or snap-shut plastic dish.

• Sunscreen

• Rain poncho with hood. The lightweight plastic ones take up very little space. And despite the song, it does rain in California.

• Alarm clock. Don't expect your roommates to make sure you get up on time for those early-morning classes.

• Casual clothing for meals and evenings, and something nicer to wear to the closing party.

• Heavy-duty plastic garbage bag to collect and transport dirty laundry

• Camera and film

• A few favorite music tapes or CDs. Someone local may bring a boom box.

• Prepaid telephone card or phone credit card (for calling home to complain about how hard camp is).

• Travelers checks and a small amount of cash -- enough for a few meals out, laundry, souvenirs, groceries

• Travel-size games for relaxing with your roommates in the evening

With a little planning (and a major credit card in case you forget something), you’ll have a great time at summer camp.

Home | Schedule | Events | Instructors | Photos | Newsletter | Links | Map