EVENTS
COME JOIN US & BECOME A PART OF OUR MARTIAL ARTS FAMILY!
ACADEMY ANNOUNCEMENTS:
DRAGON KIDO'S PRO SHOP IS ACCEPTING ORDERS FOR OUR NEW ACADEMY LOGO TEES. PLEASE SPECIFY THE SIZES & QUANTITIES NEEDED ON YOUR FORM & HAND IT IN TO YOUR INSTRUCTOR BY FRIDAY, APRIL 26TH. THESE DKAMA T-SHIRTS MAY BE WORN WITH THE SCHOOL'S SUMMER UNIFORM FROM JUNE-AUGUST. GET YOURS TODAY!
MASTER SAMANTHA HARVILLE IS HEADING UP XTRM TEAM DEMO TRAINING FOR ELITE MEMBERS OF OUR ACADEMY. ELIGIBLE UPPER RANK STUDENTS RECEIVED INVITATIONS &/OR WERE EXTENDED TRYOUT OPPORTUNITIES TO SECURE THEIR PLACES ON THE ROSTER. SYNCHRONIZED ROUTINES TO MUSIC, COMPLEX FIGHT SEQUENCES AND ADVANCED MARTIAL ARTS TECHNIQUES, INCLUDING WEAPONRY MANIPULATION, ARE JUST A FEW OF THE MANY AREAS COVERED BY THIS DYNAMIC GROUP. ANOTHER PART OF MASTER SAM'S ONGOING MARTIAL ARTS UNLEASHED SERIES, WILL BE OUR SCHOOL'S AWESOME PUSH UP CHALLENGE WHICH IS SLATED FOR THIS SUMMER TOO!
MARCH MADNESS AT DRAGON KIDO WILL INCLUDE SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES DURING FRIDAY'S TEEN CLASSES.
CELEBRATE THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON... THE HIGH TABLE SUMMONS ALL XTRM TEAM MEMBERS TO PLEDGE THEIR FEALTY TO MASTER SAM FOR AN EXCITING SATURDAY AFTERNOON WITH JOHN WICK. TACTICAL TRAINING COMMENCES AT 1 PM. TEAM HOODIES ARE REQUIRED FOR ADMISSION. ASSORTED SNACKS ARE FREE--COMPLIMENTS OF THE CONTINENTAL. AND FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS OR SO, MASTER SAM WILL INCORPORATE SELECTED JOHN WICK FIGHT SCENES INTO TEAM CURRICULUM. YEAH...
PLANS FOR DRAGON KIDO'S 2024 BLACK BELT EXAM ARE IN THE WORKS...
A GREAT BIG SHOUT-OUT TO DRAGON KIDO AMA'S 2023 BLACK BELT EXAMINEES, WHO DID A FANTASTIC JOB DEMONSTRATING THEIR ADVANCED MARTIAL ARTS SKILLS TO SATISFY THE EXTENSIVE REQUIREMENTS TO EARN THEIR PROMOTIONS AND MOVE UP IN RANK: FIRST DEGREE BLACK BELTS, DEVIN, JENNA & VICTORIA; SECOND DEGREE BLACK BELT, MATTHEW; AND FIFTH DAN BLACK BELT MASTER, SAMANTHA. LAST YEAR, OUR PLANNING COMMITTEE WENT ALL OUT IN RECOGNITION OF GRANDMASTER CRAIG HUTSON'S 50TH MARTIAL ARTS ANNIVERSARY AND WE CELEBRATED AT A RUSTIC LODGE IN THE WOODS!
DRAGON KIDO CONTINUES TO GO ABOVE & BEYOND... ANOTHER UPPER RANK STUDENT HAS BEEN ACCEPTED INTO THE BLACK BELT MENTORSHIP PROGRAM, A COMPREHENSIVE ADVANCED TRAINING SYSTEM TO ENHANCE THE MARTIAL ARTS PERFORMANCE OF PROSPECTIVE BLACK BELT CANDIDATES. THROUGH CUSTOMIZED PRIVATE COACHING BY MASTER SAM HARVILLE, MEMBERS ENROLLED IN THE ACADEMY'S MENTORSHIP PROGRAM PROGRESSIVELY DEVELOP SPECIALIZED MARTIAL ARTS SKILLS TO SYSTEMATICALLY SATISFY REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME ELIGIBLE TO TEST FOR THEIR 1ST DEGREE BLACK BELTS. FOR MORE DETAILS, PLEASE READ BLOG #9 ON OUR MISSION PAGE TO FIND OUT HOW MASTER SAM ASSISTS MARTIAL ARTS STUDENTS REACH THEIR PEAK POTENTIAL.
LEARNING HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF IS THE ULTIMATE LIFE SKILL. INTERESTED STUDENTS MAY CONTACT US VIA EMAIL TO BE ADDED TO OUR WAITING LIST FOR THE NEXT WOMEN'S SELF-DEFENSE SEMINAR AT This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. DRAGON KIDO'S SMALL GROUP TEACHING FORMAT IS PERFECT FOR MOMS & DAUGHTERS, HIGH SCHOOL & COLLEGE STUDENTS, AND MORE.
ACADEMY FORM-OFF:
COMING SOON... DRAGON KIDO'S FORMS COMPETITION
MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO POLISH UP THEIR TWO HIGHEST OPEN HAND FORMS FOR OUR ACADEMY'S NEXT TOURNAMENT AND COMPETE TO EARN THEIR MARTIAL ARTS MEDALLIONS:
- FIRST PLACE GOLD
- SECOND PLACE SILVER
- THIRD PLACE BRONZE
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ASSIGNED TO ONE OF FOUR DIVISIONS--BLACK BELTS; ADULTS; TEENS OR CHILDREN. ENTRANTS RANKED FIRST DAN & ABOVE WILL PERFORM THEIR TOP OPEN HAND FORMS, ALONG WITH THEIR ORIGINAL WEAPONS FORMS FOR THE JUDGING PANEL. AS A SPECIAL BONUS AT THIS EVENT, MEMBERS OF OUR XTRM TEAM WILL BE PERFORMING DEMONSTRATIONS TOO. TOURNEY REGISTRATION DETAILS WILL BE POSTED SHORTLY. HERE'S YOUR CHANCE TO SHOW US WHAT YOU'RE MADE OF!
CHARACTER CONCEPT OF THE SEASON:
DURING SPRING, ACADEMY MEMBERS WILL BE FOCUSING ON INCORPORATING THE CHARACTER CONCEPT OF FAIRNESS INTO THEIR TRAINING AND THEIR DAILY LIVES. TO BE IMPARTIAL, YOU MUST GIVE OTHERS THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT. ACTING IN A MANNER THAT IS FREE OF BIAS ALLOWS EVERYONE TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES WITHOUT FAVORITISM SKEWING THE RESULTS.
CHARACTER CONCEPTS IN ACTION--
ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS TO ENSURE THAT OBJECTIVITY IS YOUR FRAMEWORK:
- ARE GROUP MEMBERS BEING TREATED EQUALLY?
- DO YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OR BLAME OTHERS?
- ARE YOU DOING YOUR SHARE OF THE WORK?
- IS YOUR POSITION REASONABLE?
- DO YOU EXPECT MORE THAN YOU DESERVE?
SEEK OUT OPPORTUNITIES TO DEMONSTRATE THE CHARACTER IT REALLY TAKES TO BECOME A BLACK BELT!
DKAMA'S SUMMER OF 2023:
A GREAT GROUP OF KIDS SIGNED UP FOR NINJA WARRIOR DAY, WHICH WAS HELD IN JUNE AT DRAGON KIDO AMA. THE PARTICIPANTS ENJOYED MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING, A VARIETY OF FUN GAMES, INCLUDING AN AWESOME OUTDOOR OBSTACLE COURSE, CRAFTS, MOVIES, & MORE! GRANDMASTER HUTSON PICKED UP THE TAB FOR THEIR PIZZA LUNCH & MASTER SAM SUPPLIED THE SNACKS & DRINKS. THANKS TO ALL FOR ATTENDING THIS POPULAR YOUTH MARTIAL ARTS PROGRAM. WE HAD A BLAST!
ALSO DURING THIS YEAR'S SUMMER BREAK, WEDNESDAY'S MARTIAL ARTS STUDENTS ATTENDED A BOOMERS BASEBALL OUTING AT WINTRUST FIELD IN SCHAUMBURG! DRAGON KIDO COVERED THE COST OF THE BOXED SEATS, WHICH WERE LOCATED RIGHT OFF FIRST BASE. THE GAME WAS SUPER EXCITING, ESPECIALLY AT THE END WITH A TIE IN THE NINTH INNING, AND OUR HOME TEAM PUSHED AHEAD & WON! WAY TO GO BOOMERS!
IN PREPARATION FOR AUGUST'S RANK ADVANCEMENT TESTING, MASTER SAMANTHA'S MARTIAL ARTS UNLEASHED SERIES RAN A BLACK BELT BOOT CAMP FOR ALL UPPER LEVEL STUDENTS AT DKAMA, WHICH INCLUDED WEEKLY PYRAMID CHALLENGES AND OUTDOOR MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING. THE INTENSE PHYSICAL CONDITIONING PAID OFF AND ALL FIVE CANDIDATES SURVIVED THEIR 2 HOUR BLACK BELT EXAM! AFTERWARDS, ACADEMY MEMBERS WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS SOCIALIZED DURING THE BLACK BELT GRADUATION AND GRANDMASTER HUTSON'S 50TH MARTIAL ARTS ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION.
WORDS OF WISDOM BLOG:
YOU ASKED FOR IT! OUR ACADEMY IS HOSTING A WORDS OF WISDOM BLOG CALLED W.O.W. JUST CLICK ON THE MISSION TAB TO ACCESS INTERESTING CONTENT.
DRAGON KIDO WILL BE SHARING IDEAS AND TIME-TESTED TIPS ABOUT A WIDE VARIETY OF TOPICS. NEXT UP, ENHANCING MARTIAL ARTS PERFORMANCE--TAKING A SNEAK PEAK AT THE COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING SYSTEM DEVELOPED FOR DRAGON KIDO'S BLACK BELT MENTORSHIP PROGRAM...
FEEL FREE TO READ OUR PREVIOUS BLOG ENTRIES TOO:
*MAKING A LASTING DIFFERENCE--HIGHLIGHTING THE ADVANTAGES OF MARTIAL ARTS OVER OTHER SPORTS;
*WINNING MARTIAL ARTS TOURNAMENTS--OUTLINING SCORING CRITERIA FOR FORMS COMPETITIONS;
*PAYING IT FORWARD--COLLECTING DONATIONS FOR OUR ACADEMY'S FOOD DRIVE TO BENEFIT THE SOUTH ELGIN FOOD PANTRY;
*STEPPING INTO THE RING--RELIVING ONE STUDENT'S FIRST MARTIAL ARTS SPARRING TOURNAMENT COMPETITION;
*GAINING WEAPONRY PROFICIENCY--DESCRIBING MARTIAL ARTS WEAPONS TRAINING AT DRAGON KIDO;
*FOSTERING SELF-DIRECTED BEHAVIOR--IDENTIFYING THE KEY TO BECOMING AN EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT;
*CHOOSING WONG'S WARRIORS--SUMMARIZING WHY DRAGON KIDO'S MARTIAL ARTS CLASSES FOR CHILDREN SURPASS ALL THE REST; &
*BALANCING EXTRACURRICULARS--SHARING HOW PARENTS CAN HELP THEIR CHILDREN SUCCEED AND EVENTUALLY BECOME BLACK BELTS.
PRIVATE MARTIAL ARTS LESSONS:
SPRING INTO ACTION!
DRAGON KIDO OFFERS PRIVATE MARTIAL ARTS LESSONS FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN 1-ON-1 TRAINING WITH A BLACK BELT MASTER.
OUR ACADEMY'S EXPERT SOLO MARTIAL ARTS INSTRUCTION IS TAILORED TO EACH MEMBER'S UNIQUE TRAINING NEEDS, INCLUDING SKILL DEVELOPMENT BY RANK, AS WELL AS TEST & TOURNAMENT PREPARATION. SCHEDULE YOUR PERSONALIZED COACHING TODAY AND SEE WHAT A DIFFERENCE IT WILL MAKE!
Photo by svklimkin on Unsplash
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR SPECIAL MONTHLY RATES BY PURCHASING MULTIPLE SESSIONS IN A PACK FOR MORE SAVINGS! RESERVATION SLOTS ARE FILLING UP FAST. SEMI-PRIVATE MARTIAL ARTS LESSONS ARE AVAILABLE TOO; ASK TO BE ADDED TO OUR ACADEMY'S WAITING LIST FOR THE NEXT MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING OPENING. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
COLOR BELT TESTS/BLACK BELT EXAMS:
THE PROGRESS OF DKAMA's MEMBERS WILL BE ASSESSED ON AN ONGOING BASIS TO GAIN APPROVAL FOR OUR NEXT COLOR BELT TEST AND BLACK BELT EXAM DATE. REMEMBER, AT OUR ACADEMY, EARNING AN EXAMINATION PAPER IS NOT BASED ON ATTENDANCE ALONE. MEMBERS ARE ADVISED TO PARTICIPATE IN ONLINE, INDOOR & OUTDOOR SCHOOL ACTIVITIES; SHOW RESPECT, INITIATIVE AND COOPERATION ON AND OFF THE MAT; AND REGULARLY PRACTICE ALL THEIR MARTIAL ARTS FORMS AT HOME.
OUR BLACK BELT MASTER INSTRUCTORS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ASSISTANCE WITH ANY AREA OF YOUR MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING. DRAGON KIDO ALSO OFFERS 1-ON-1 SESSIONS, SO BOOK YOUR PRIVATE OR SEMI-PRIVATE LESSONS TODAY AND ACCELERATE YOUR IMPROVEMENT.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK & JOIN THE MEMBERS WHO HAVE EARNED THEIR NEXT RANK:
QUINN, BLAZE & GAVIN--YELLOW WITH BLACK STRIPE BELTS; JACLYN, GABE, MIA & NOLYN--SOLID YELLOW BELTS; JACK & WILLOW--SOLID GREEN BELTS; PHIL--SOLID BLUE BELT; RAMON & LEVI--BROWN WITH BLACK STRIPE BELTS; LUKA--SOLID BROWN BELT; JAXON & PATRICK--SOLID RED BELTS; AND ISAIAH--RED/BLACK BELT. BRAVO!
A GREAT BIG ACADEMY WELCOME ALSO GOES OUT TO OUR NEW WHITE BELTS!
ACADEMY BIRTHDAYS & MARTIAL ARTS ANNIVERSARIES:
PLEASE JOIN GRANDMASTER HUTSON AND THE REST OF OUR SCHOOL IN WISHING THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS OF DRAGON KIDO AMA A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
MARCH--ISAIAH
APRIL--LEVI & QUINN
ALSO, LET'S GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR OUR DEDICATED INSTRUCTORS' MARTIAL ARTS ANNIVERSARIES--
JANUARY--SAMANTHA
MASTER SAMANTHA HARVILLE IS CELEBRATING HER 20TH YEAR OF MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING AND NOW HOLDS THE DESIGNATION OF A SENIOR CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR FOR TEACHING STUDENTS FOR OVER A DECADE!
AUGUST--CRAIG
2023 WAS A SPECIAL YEAR AT DRAGON KIDO AMA. IT MARKED GRANDMASTER CRAIG HUTSON'S 50TH MARTIAL ARTS ANNIVERSARY! CONGRATULATIONS SIR, FOR YOUR LONG-STANDING COMMITMENT TO THE WORLD OF MARTIAL ARTS.
BLACK BELT SERVICE:
THERE'S NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT TO WORK ON FULFILLING YOUR BLACK BELT SERVICE REQUIREMENTS. BUILD UP YOUR MARTIAL ARTS RESUME BY PARTICIPATING IN ACADEMY ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS:
*STEWARDSHIP*CATEGORY 1--PARADES, COMMUNITY EVENTS, SCHOOL TOURNAMENTS, DEMOS;
*SUPPORT*CATEGORY 2--AMBASSADOR PROGRAM, CHARACTER CONCEPT ACTIVITIES, PNO ASSISTANCE;
*SOCIAL*CATEGORY 3--ICE CREAM SOCIALS, ACADEMY PICNICS, DONUT DAYS & MOVIE MATINEES.
KUDOS TO ALL WHO DONATED TO OUR ACADEMY'S FOOD DRIVE TO BENEFIT THE SOUTH ELGIN PANTRY AND YOUR MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE CORBELLA CLINIC. YOUR GENEROSITY IS APPRECIATED!
YOUTH PROGRAMMING:
DRAGON KIDO'S MARTIAL ARTS CLASSES FOR KIDS ARE THE BEST!
WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR POPULAR CHILDREN'S KIMUDO CLASSES, A/K/A WONG'S WARRIORS? THE YOUTH AT DRAGON KIDO LEARN ALL THE BASICS THROUGH AN INNOVATIVE CURRICULUM THAT COMBINES PRACTICING TECHNIQUES WITH FUN MARTIAL ARTS GAMES. OUR PROGRAM INCLUDES SHADOW TRAINING DRILLS AND GROUP FORMS TO MUSIC TOO.
HOW ABOUT OUR GUARDIAN FOO DOG--WONG'S CHALLENGE? CHILDREN AT OUR ACADEMY ARE ALSO MOTIVATED TO ENHANCE THEIR CONCENTRATION & SHARPEN THEIR SKILLS BY COLLECTING PERFORMANCE STARS REDEEMABLE FOR ALL KINDS OF COOL PRIZES. COLORFUL DRAGON KITES, FOAM NINJA BLOW DART SHOOTER SETS, YIN YANG BALLS & TMNT PLACEMATS ARE EXAMPLES OF SOME OF THE REWARDS EARNED BY THE KIDS AT DRAGON KIDO!
FOR MORE SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT DRAGON KIDO'S YOUTH PROGRAM, PARENTS MAY VISIT OUR MISSION PAGE TO READ THE BLOG ARTICLE ENTITLED, "CHOOSING WONG'S WARRIORS."
COVID-19:
DRAGON KIDO AMA WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE A WIDE VARIETY OF MARTIAL ARTS PROGRAMMING FOR ACADEMY MEMBERS, INCLUDING ONE-ON-ONE TRAINING, SEMI-PRIVATE LESSONS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR TOURNAMENTS & EXCITING GROUP OUTDOOR CLASSES--LIKE SOLIDARITY SUNDAY & WEAPONS IN THE WILD WORKSHOPS. LIVE ZOOM VIRTUAL MARTIAL ARTS SESSIONS, SUCH AS OUR FEAR FACTOR CLASS, INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS, SUPPLEMENTARY WRITTEN MATERIALS AND FUN CRAFT & WEBSITE TRIVIA ACTIVITIES ARE PERIODICALLY AVAILABLE TOO.
DRAGON KIDO HAS INSTITUTED PANDEMIC PROTOCOLS FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL MEMBERS. PLEASE CLICK ON THE CONTACT TAB FOR MORE DETAILS AND FEEL FREE TO EMAIL US AT This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.
PRO SHOP:
OUR PRO SHOP FEATURES ASSORTED UNIFORMS, PATCHES, DKAMA TIE DYE TEES, SPARRING GEAR SETS, MOUTH GUARDS & CASES, HEAVY-DUTY EQUIPMENT BAGS, AND A VARIETY OF WEAPONS. WE ALSO CARRY JUDO DVDs, MARTIAL ARTS BOOKS, DRAGON KIDO BLACK BELT BINDERS AND 3D DRAGON MODELS.
ACADEMY ATTIRE--BLACK MARTIAL ARTS UNIFORMS ARE PERMITTED FOR TRAINING AT DRAGON KIDO, BUT WHITE DRESS UNIFORMS WITH THE OFFICIAL PATCHES AFFIXED MUST ALWAYS BE WORN FOR TOURNAMENTS AND EXAMINATIONS. IF YOU NEED A NEW ONE, CONTACT US BY PHONE OR EMAIL AND WE'LL SUIT YOU UP.
FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY, RED & BLACK XTRM HOODIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE EXCLUSIVELY BY MEMBERS OF OUR DEMO TEAM. SHOW YOUR SCHOOL SPIRIT! PUT ON A SMILE & WEAR YOUR DRAGON SWAG AT EVENTS AROUND TOWN.
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CHECK OUT OUR PRO SHOP'S DISCOUNTED ITEMS--
*HAVE YOU ASSEMBLED & PAINTED YOUR WOODEN DRAGON MODEL YET? CRAFT KIT QUANTITIES ARE GETTING LOW--RESERVE YOURS BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!
*THEY'RE GOING FAST! GET AN ACADEMY BLACK BELT BINDER TO CHRONICLE YOUR MARTIAL ARTS JOURNEY FOR PRESENTATION TO THE MASTERS' TESTING BOARD AT YOUR BLACK BELT EXAM. THERE ARE 3 COLORS TO CHOOSE FROM--BLUE, RED & BLACK, AND IF YOU BEGIN EARLY, IT'S EASY TO CREATE YOUR MARTIAL ARTS KEEPSAKE.
SAVE YOURSELF SOME CASH AND ORDER YOUR STASH FROM THE PRO SHOP TODAY!
PAST ACADEMY ACTIVITIES:
ARE YOU WONDERING WHAT TYPES OF EVENTS DRAGON KIDO SPONSORS? HERE'S A SAMPLING OF ACTIVITIES FROM PRIOR YEARS:
WARRIOR GAMES OPEN HOUSE--APRIL 2019
THE PUBLIC WAS INVITED TO TEST THEIR SKILLS AT DRAGON KIDO'S WARRIOR GAMES OPEN HOUSE, WHICH FEATURED LOTS OF FREE FAMILY FUN:
- MARTIAL ARTS DRILLS
- CHALLENGING FITNESS STATIONS
- NEAT PRIZES
- DELICIOUS REFRESHMENTS
- DETAILS ABOUT OUR AFFORDABLE PROGRAMS
ALL AGES WERE WELCOME TO ATTEND!
WOOHOO WEDNESDAYS--MAY, JUNE, JULY 2019
FROM 5/1-7/31, MEMBERS OF DRAGON KIDO BROUGHT THEIR "CAN DO ATTITUDES" TO WEDNESDAY CLASSES BECAUSE OUR CERTIFIED MARTIAL ARTS INSTRUCTOR, SAMANTHA, WAS PUSHING THINGS TO THE LIMIT!
HER TRAINING SEQUENCES INCLUDED EQUIPMENT-BASED SPEED, TIMING, BALANCE, ENDURANCE AND AGILITY DRILLS, AND MUCH MORE. BY THE END OF THE SUMMER, DRAGON KIDO'S STUDENTS BECAME STRONGER & FASTER, INCREASED THEIR STAMINA, AND HAD LOTS OF LAUGHS IN THE PROCESS. WOOHOO!
WILLARD'S GYM CLASS WEEK AND FUN FAIR--MAY 2019
DRAGON KIDO SPONSORED MARTIAL ARTS GYM CLASS WEEK AT WILLARD ELEMENTARY FROM MAY 6TH THROUGH THE 10TH. DKAMA's INSTRUCTORS PROVIDED MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING TO ALL THE STUDENTS, FROM K-6TH GRADE. THE KIDS LEARNED SOME BASIC KICKING, STRIKING, AND BLOCKING TECHNIQUES, AS WELL AS A FEW KEY KOREAN PHRASES. THE MARTIAL ARTS CLASSES WERE BOTH EXCITING & LOUD! THANK YOU PRINCIPAL COVARRUBIAS AND MS. PLACH FOR YOUR HOSPITALITY.
DRAGON KIDO AMA ALSO PARTICIPATED IN WILLARD'S END-OF-THE-YEAR FUN FAIR. ATTENDEES SPUN OUR RAFFLE WHEEL AND WON UNIQUE ASIAN PRIZES, IN ADDITION TO RECEIVING COUPONS FOR $10 OFF SUMMER ENROLLMENT. NOW IT'S YOUR TURN TO COME VISIT OUR ACADEMY AND SIGN UP FOR FUN PROGRAMS AT DRAGON KIDO!
WONG'S WARRIORS DEMO TEAM/SEASON 1--MAY TO OCTOBER 2019
A SPECIAL SHOUT-OUT TO THE YOUTH MEMBERS OF OUR NEW WONG'S WARRIORS DEMO TEAM:
- LEVI
- WILLOW
- LUKA
- JAXON
- NOAH
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT--WONG'S WARRIORS DEMO TEAM'S PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE FILLED UP QUICKLY FOR THE SUMMER AND BEYOND!
OUR TEAM MADE THEIR INITIAL APPEARANCE AT WILLARD'S FUN FAIR ON MAY 17TH, AND HEADLINED AT THESE LOCAL ACTIVITIES THROUGH OCTOBER:
- 7/4 SOUTH ELGIN'S FOURTH OF JULY PARADE,
- 7/7 YOUTH & TEEN KIMUDO COLOR BELT TESTS,
- 7/28 STARS & STRIPES FORMS TOURNAMENT,
- 8/6 SOUTH ELGIN'S NATIONAL NIGHT OUT, &
- 10/19 BLACK BELT PRETEST/AWARDS CEREMONY.
WE ALSO HOSTED TEAM-BUILDING OUTINGS EACH MONTH: BLOWING BUBBLES AT THE CHURCH'S OUTDOOR PAVILION; COMPETING IN SACK RACES AT MEIER PARK; EXPLORING THE NATURAL PLAYGROUND AT SEBA PARK; PLAYING FIELD BALL GAMES AT HANSEN PARK, AND TAKING AN EVENING TREK TO THE DRAGON'S DEN. WE APPRECIATE CAPTAIN SAMANTHA'S DEDICATION TO OUR TEAM.
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NO DOUBT ABOUT IT, WONG'S WARRIORS DEMO TEAM HAD AN EXCITING FIRST SEASON!
CAN YOU GUESS WHERE'S WONG'S WARRIORS DEMO TEAM?
OUR YOUTH ACADEMY DEMO TEAM'S FINAL SEASON INCLUDED SYNCHRONIZED DOUBLE KALI STICK TRAINING & PERFORMANCES.
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INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE & ICE CREAM SOCIAL--JULY 2019
D-K-A-M-A DRAGON KIDO HIYAH!
THANKS TO ALL THE COMMITTED STUDENTS & THEIR FAMILIES FOR REPRESENTING OUR ACADEMY AT SOUTH ELGIN'S 4TH OF JULY PARADE. WONG'S WARRIORS YOUTH DEMO TEAM WAS FEATURED AT THIS COMMUNITY EVENT AND DID A PHENOMENAL JOB!
FOLLOWING OUR PERFORMANCE, WE HEADED OVER TO GRANDMASTER HUTSON'S TO MAKE OUR OWN ICE CREAM CREATIONS, PLAY LADDER BALL & BEAN BAG TOSS, AND DOUSE EACH OTHER WITH WATER BALLOONS!
***HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!***
WONG'S WARRIORS SUMMER FIELD TRIP--JULY 2019
THE KIDS AT DRAGON KIDO ENJOY EACH OTHER'S COMPANY BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF OUR ACADEMY.
WONG'S WARRIORS WENT ON A YOUTH OUTING TO HANSEN PARK AT THE END OF JULY. OUR GROUP PLAYED GAMES WITH JUMBO BALLS, TOSSED TORPEDO FOOTBALLS, FLUNG FRISBEES, CLIMBED AROUND IN THE PLAYGROUND & SHARED A PICNIC LUNCH.
THIS TIME, EVEN PARENTS & SIBLINGS JOINED IN!
TEEN FLING--JULY 2019
TEEN MEMBERS OF DRAGON KIDO AMA LIKE HANGING OUT TOGETHER--
IN FACT, THEY WENT AS A GROUP TO THE RETROCADE ARCADE IN WEST DUNDEE FOR HOURS OF GAMING FUN! IN BETWEEN, THEY STOPPED FOR A QUICK BITE TO EAT AT VAN'S, FOLLOWED BY ICE CREAM TREATS AT DAIRY QUEEN.
THANK YOU GRANDMASTER HUTSON FOR MAKING THIS EPIC SUMMER ADVENTURE POSSIBLE!
STARS & STRIPES KIMUDO FORMS TOURNAMENT--JULY 2019
DRAGON KIDO AMA's STARS & STRIPES KIMUDO FORMS TOURNAMENT TOOK PLACE ON SUNDAY, JULY 28, FROM 2-4 PM. 1ST, 2ND, & 3RD PLACE TROPHIES WERE AWARDED TO THE BRAVE COMPETITORS IN EACH DIVISION.
WONG'S WARRIORS MARTIAL ARTS DEMO TEAM KICKED OFF THE AFTERNOON BY PERFORMING A FLAWLESS RENDITION OF THEIR SOUTH ROUTINE. AFTER THE TOURNEY COMPETITION, THE BLACK BELT WEAPONS SHOWCASE FEATURED THE KATANA, TONFA, AND BO.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE FRIENDS & FAMILY MEMBERS THAT HELPED MAKE THIS EVENT A SUCCESS.
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT--AUGUST 2019
DRAGON KIDO AMA PARTNERED WITH THE VILLAGE OF SOUTH ELGIN TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL NIGHT OUT. OUR SCHOOL WAS A SPONSOR OF THE EVENT & PARTICIPATED IN THE BUSINESS EXPO, ANSWERING QUESTIONS ABOUT MARTIAL ARTS & DISTRIBUTING HUNDREDS OF GIVEAWAYS TO AREA RESIDENTS WHO GAVE OUR LARGE PRIZE WHEEL A SPIN.
OUR ACADEMY WAS ALSO PART OF THE SHOW. DRAGON KIDO'S PERFORMANCE AT THE SECONDARY STAGE INCLUDED A WICKED FAST BO STAFF WEAPONS EXHIBITION, FOLLOWED BY SOME SELF-DEFENSE TECHNIQUES.
WE SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST AND ENDED WITH AN IMPRESSIVE SYNCHRONIZED MARTIAL ARTS ROUTINE BY OUR YOUTH DEMO TEAM.
WONG'S WARRIORS YOUTH MARTIAL ARTS DEMO TEAM RULES!
#DragonKidoCares--AUGUST TO NOVEMBER 2019
CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER, FOR ALL THOSE WHO FOUND A DRAGON KIDO CHARACTER CONCEPT ROCK! OUR ACADEMY IS PASSIONATE ABOUT MAKING A DIFFERENCE . . . ONE LUCKY PERSON AT A TIME.
PARTICIPANTS WERE ADVISED TO KEEP IT FOR A WEEK OR SO, AND MAKE A SPECIAL EFFORT TO DO WHATEVER THEIR PARTICULAR MESSAGE SAID--DEMONSTRATE LEADERSHIP, SHOW KINDNESS, BE COURAGEOUS, ETC. AFTERWARDS, THEY WERE INVITED TO SPREAD SOME HAPPINESS BY PLACING THEIR PAINTED ROCK IN PLAIN SIGHT OUTDOORS AT A PARK, PLAYGROUND OR FOREST PRESERVE FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO FIND!
DRAGON KIDO TRACKED THE JOURNEYS OF OUR UNIQUE CHARACTER CONCEPT ROCKS VIA EMAIL. OUR ACADEMY RECEIVED REPORTS THAT THE FOLLOWING COLORFUL TREASURES WERE CIRCULATING AROUND THROUGH TOWN: DEPENDABILITY--BLACKHAWK PARK; RESPECT--SOUTH ELGIN'S VILLAGE HALL; LEADERSHIP--SEBA PARK; HUMOR--WILLARD ELEMENTARY'S PLAYGROUND; CREATIVITY--GAIL BORDEN LIBRARY'S RAKOW BRANCH; AND COOPERATION--HAWTHORNE HILL NATURE CENTER!
THANKS FOR BEING A PART OF OUR ACADEMY'S MISSION TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.
AUTUMN WEAPONS CLINIC--SEPTEMBER 2019
DRAGON KIDO'S AUTUMN WEAPONS CLINIC FEATURED THE BO. GRANDMASTER HUTSON TAUGHT STUDENTS PROPER HANDLING, WEAPONS MANIPULATION AND PRACTICAL DRILLS. BASIC STAFF FIGHTING TECHNIQUES WERE ALSO COVERED DURING THIS MARTIAL ARTS WEAPONS TRAINING SESSION.
SATURDAYS 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
FOUR WEEK SESSION
SEPTEMBER 7-28
AGES 11 YEARS & UP
NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE NECESSARY
CHINESE AND JAPANESE STAFFS WERE AVAILABLE FOR CLASS USE OR COULD BE PURCHASED FROM OUR PRO SHOP FOR A NOMINAL FEE. FUTURE WEAPONS CLINIC DATES TBA.
BLACK BELT PRETEST--OCTOBER 2019
DRAGON KIDO AMA RECENTLY PUT FOUR BLACK BELT CANDIDATES THROUGH THE PACES AT AN ADVANCED ACADEMY PRETEST. SAMANTHA WAS PROMOTED TO A 4TH DEGREE JUNIOR MASTER, WHILE MATTHEW COMPLETED THE FIRST STAGE OF MOVING TOWARD A 2ND DAN, AND VICTORIA & JENNA TOOK THE INITIAL STEPS TO BECOME FIRST DEGREES!
THE RIGOROUS BLACK BELT EXAMINATION WAS FOLLOWED BY AN ACADEMY AWARDS CEREMONY, AS WELL AS COMPLIMENTARY REFRESHMENTS FOR GRANDMASTER CRAIG HUTSON'S BIRTHDAY. WONG'S WARRIORS YOUTH DEMO TEAM ALSO PERFORMED AT THIS SPECIAL EVENT AND EARNED THEIR SWAT PATCHES.
DRAGON KIDO VALUES THE PARTICIPATION OF ALL THE STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES THAT JOINED US ON THIS IMPORTANT DATE FOR A PREVIEW OF THE BLACK BELT ADVANCEMENT PROCESS AND OUR ACADEMY'S CELEBRATION.
NEW COLOR BELTS--OCTOBER 2019
LET'S HEAR IT FOR AMIYA & MIA, OUR NEWEST COLOR BELTS! BOTH GIRLS ARE PROGRESSING AT A GOOD PACE AND PASSED THEIR FIRST RANK PROMOTION TEST TO EARN THEIR YELLOW WITH BLACK STRIPE BELTS.
AS THE MOST RECENT ADDITIONS TO DRAGON KIDO'S WONG'S WARRIORS YOUTH KIMUDO CLASS, THEY HAVE OFFICIALLY STARTED THEIR JOURNEY TO BECOME BLACK BELTS.
GRANDMASTER CRAIG HUTSON AND JUNIOR MASTER SAMANTHA HARVILLE COMMEND THEM ON THEIR STELLAR EFFORTS!
FALL FAMILY DAY--NOVEMBER 2019
ON NOVEMBER 16TH FOR FALL FAMILY DAY, EACH STUDENT IN OUR WONG'S WARRIORS MARTIAL ARTS CLASS INVITED A PARENT PARTNER ONTO THE MAT FOR SPECIAL ACTIVITIES FOCUSING ON COOPERATION & TEAMWORK, FOLLOWED BY COOKIES & CHOCOLATE MILK. ALL THE PARENT/CHILD PAIRS DID VERY WELL WITH THE HEAVY BAG DRILLS AND FITNESS EXERCISES, WHILE THE RELAY RACES AND HUMAN TARGET PRACTICE WERE HILARIOUS! TAKE A PEEK AT THE PHOTO OF OUR CREW BY ACCESSING THE WORDS OF WISDOM BLOG POST #2 UNDER THE MISSION TAB OF OUR WEBSITE.
TURKEY TRIALS--NOVEMBER 2019
THE NEXT WEEK, DURING THE TEEN/ADULT KIMUDO CLASS, STUDENTS AND THEIR BUDDIES COMPETED IN DKAMA's TURKEY TRIALS, FOCUSING ON HIIT STATIONS & MARTIAL ARTS DRILLS.
THE HANGING BAG, BATTLE ROPE, FIRING SQUAD ACTIVITY & CRASH PAD DIVE ROLLS WERE DEFINITELY A HIT! AFTER WORKING UP A SWEAT, THE ENERGETIC GROUP KICKED BACK TO ENJOY DONUTS & CARAMEL APPLES.
OUR THANKS GO OUT TO JUNIOR MASTER SAMANTHA FOR CREATING CLASSES THAT WERE BOTH FUN AND CHALLENGING. EVERY GUEST IS WELCOME BACK TO OUR ACADEMY--BECOME A MEMBER OF DRAGON KIDO AMA & TRAIN WITH YOUR FRIENDS ALL THE TIME!
YEAR-END PROMOTIONS--DECEMBER 2019
EXAM PAPERS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO ELIGIBLE STUDENTS IN OUR JUDO AND BUSHIDO PROGRAMS FOR YEAR-END PROMOTIONS.
OUR JUDOKAS WERE TESTED ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20TH.
A CHALLENGING TWO-DAY EXAMINATION WAS ADMINISTERED TO MEMBERS OF DRAGON KIDO'S BUSHIDO WEAPONRY PROGRAM ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14TH AND 21ST. THESE STUDENTS HAVE BEEN DILIGENTLY TRAINING FOR 4 YEARS TO EARN THEIR BLACK BELTS IN A SERIES OF BUSHIDO WEAPONS, INCLUDING KALI STICKS, THE BO, BOKKEN, TONFA, NUNCHAKU, SAI, KAMA AND KATANA. PROFICIENCY DRILLS, WEAPONS FORMS, ADVANCED MANIPULATION TECHNIQUES & ACTUAL COMBAT--BOTH WEAPON-TO-WEAPON & WEAPON-TO-OPEN HAND FIGHTING--WAS DEMONSTRATED IN FRONT OF THE MASTERS' BLACK BELT BOARD.
CONGRATULATIONS JUDO & BUSHIDO CANDIDATES!
IN 2020, DKAMA HOSTED MARTIAL ARTS MOVIE MATINEES, SOLIDARITY SUNDAY'S SUMMER WORKOUT & AWARDS CEREMONY, COLOR BELT TESTING & PROMOTIONS, BLACK BELT PRETESTING & ADVANCEMENTS AND OUTDOOR RUCKING CHALLENGES--
A GROUP OF EAGER CHILDREN & ADULTS FROM DRAGON KIDO PARTICIPATED IN A SPECIAL FALL FITNESS WALK AT FITCHIE CREEK FOREST PRESERVE IN ELGIN. AS RUCKING NOVICES, MOST STUDENTS STARTED OUT CONSERVATIVELY BY WEARING BACKPACKS RANGING FROM ABOUT 9-14 LBS. DURING A 2 1/2 MILE TRAIL LOOP THROUGH EXPANSIVE PRAIRIES AND COLORFUL WOODLANDS.
A FEW WEEKS LATER, JUNIOR MASTER SAM & SOME OF HER FELLOW ENTHUSIASTS COMPLETED STAGE 2, BRISKLY HIKING FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES THROUGH THE BEAUTIFUL HAMPSHIRE FOREST PRESERVE WHILE TOTING 30 LB. RUCKSACKS. DESPITE COLDER WEATHER, THE LAST ADVENTURE OF THE SEASON FEATURED ADDING EVEN MORE WEIGHTS AND TREKKING AT A FASTER PACE FOR A LONGER DISTANCE UP & DOWN THE SCENIC BANKS OF THE FOX RIVER. HOOAH!
MARTIAL ARTS UNLEASHED SERIES--SEPTEMBER 2021
JUNIOR MASTER SAMANTHA LOVES ADVENTURE AND HOSTED A WEAPONS IN THE WILD BO WORKSHOP FOR INTERMEDIATE YOUTH MARTIAL ARTS STUDENTS.
PARTICIPANTS LEARNED PROPER WEAPONS HANDLING, LONG STAFF DRILLS, MANIPULATION TECHNIQUES AND BASIC COMBAT TRAINING IN AN EXPANSIVE OUTDOOR SETTING. THE GROUP ALSO WENT ON AN INDIAN RUN, HIKED THROUGH THE FOREST PRESERVES, CREATED A NATURAL CRAFT PROJECT AND ENJOYED COMPLIMENTARY REFRESHMENTS.
FALL FORM-OFF--OCTOBER 2021
PROPS TO DKAMA MEMBERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN OUR ACADEMY'S FALL FORM-OFF! THE MASTERS' JUDGING PANEL WAS IMPRESSED WITH STUDENTS' PRESENTATIONS OF THEIR TWO HIGHEST MARTIAL ARTS FORMS. THE INDIVIDUAL SCORES HAVE BEEN TALLIED AND THE RESULTS WERE CLOSE! SPECIAL TROPHIES ENGRAVED WITH OUR ACADEMY'S PATCH WERE AWARDED IN EACH DIVISION TO THE 1ST, 2ND & 3RD PLACE WINNERS. THIS NEW SCHOOL EVENT COUNTS AS A CATEGORY #1 STEWARDSHIP ENTRY ON EACH COMPETITOR'S BLACK BELT RESUME.
SPECIAL SUMMER PROGRAMMING--JUNE TO AUGUST 2022
THANK YOU FIRST DEGREE BLACK BELT CANDIDATE, MISS VICTORIA, FOR ASSISTING IN THE YOUTH MARTIAL ARTS CLASS. THE KIDS EXPERIENCED SOME AWESOME TEAM MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING DURING BLACK BELT LEADERSHIP DAY IN JUNE!
STUDENTS IN THURSDAY'S ADULT CLASS SAMPLED A COUPLE OF JR. MASTER SAM'S OUTDOOR FITNESS CHALLENGES IN JULY, INCLUDING LINE BALL & T-DRILL CONE EXERCISES FOR AGILITY AND WEIGHTED HILL SPRINTS & BATTLE ROPE TRAINING FOR ENDURANCE. LAST UP WERE MEDICINE BALL RELAYS... WAY TO GO GUYS!
KIDS ENROLLED IN MARTIAL ARTS LESSONS AT DRAGON KIDO THIS SUMMER WERE ENTERED INTO OUR DRAGON DAYS DRAWING! A TICKET WAS EARNED BY EACH YOUTH MEMBER FOR COMPLETING A FOCUSED TRAINING SESSION WITH HIS/HER INSTRUCTOR. WILLOW WAS ANNOUNCED THE WINNER OF THE CONTEST, & IN AUGUST, SHE ENJOYED AN AFTERNOON OF FUN WITH JR. MASTER SAM!
MARTIAL ARTS SPARRING TOURNAMENT & WEAPONS SHOWCASE--JULY 2022
**GO WEEKEND WARRIORS!** DKAMA'S MARTIAL ARTS WEAPONS SHOWCASE FEATURING THE BO, DOUBLE KALI STICKS, TONFA & METAL FIGHTING FANS WAS HELD OUTDOORS ON A WARM NIGHT BEFORE A LARGE CROWD. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE MARTIAL ARTS WEAPONS PERFORMANCES, MASTER HARVILLE WAS PRESENTED WITH HER 2ND DEGREE BLACK BELT CERTIFICATE IN BUSHIDO WEAPONRY.
DRAGON KIDO'S SPARRING TOURNEY WAS NEXT ON THE AGENDA & WAS ACTION-PACKED. THE 2 MINUTE MATCHES OF CONTINUOUS FIGHTING WERE AWESOME, INCLUDING SOME SUDDEN DEATH ROUNDS!
GRANDMASTER HUTSON IS PROUD OF EACH & EVERY COMPETITOR FOR STEPPING INTO THE RING & DOING THEIR BEST. ALL TROPHIES WERE WELL DESERVED. WE APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S SUPPORT & GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP.
SUMMER MARTIAL ARTS CAMARADERIE--JUNE TO AUGUST 2023
CHECK OUT THE TOP OF OUR EVENTS PAGE FOR THIS YEAR'S ACADEMY HIGHLIGHTS!
THANKS FOR VISITING WITH US!
