Samurai camp enjoys change of scenery and record numbers

It's going to be a busy day for participants in an annual samurai camp put on by Aikido Yukon.

It’s going to be a busy day for participants in an annual samurai camp put on by Aikido Yukon.

In addition to furthering their hand-to-hand skills in the Japanese martial art and making cultural arts and crafts, the group has to vanquish a whole bunch of ‘demons’ in a role playing adventure game.

“There’s a lot to do,” laughed Mary Gamberg, president of the Aikido Yukon Association. “We have 33 kids and every morning they get here and they are just pumped. They are super keen kids, very strong samurais.”

This is fourth year that Aikido Yukon has held the samurai camp, which was open to kids nine to 13 years old. In previous years, the camp has only been able to accommodate 24 kids, however Gamberg said it was becoming so popular that they decided to move it up to Yukon College, which offers more space.

Each year the camp has different storylines, but one of the central plots this past week has involved three geishas. The kids, divided into three separate teams, have been attempting to convince one of the geishas to join their house, which Gamberg said is a very prestigious honour.

The demon’s were “released” from their own world not long after one of the teams was successful in winning over a geisha, Gamberg said.

The five-day camp concludes today and Gamberg expects all of the demons, who are being played by adult volunteers, to be defeated by about 4:30 p.m.

Vanquishing the demons is no easy feat and will require the help of an old monk.

Gamberg said the monk is in possession of a magical sword, which is the only weapon that can be used to defeat the demons.

Before receiving the sword, a team must do something that will find the monk’s favour, she said.

Aikido Yukon supplied all of the costumes and foam swords to camp participants, going over safety rules, including not hitting above the neck. The adventure game has been played in a forest near Yukon College.

Gamberg said the camp has been a lot of fun.

“How often do adults get to go out in the forest and pretend for a whole afternoon?

The kids are so into it that you have to play along in character,” she said. “It’s exhausting, but it’s hugely fun.”

She said the kids have all been doing really well with their sword skills.

“Most of the kids have played sword anyway, just playing,” Gamberg said. “So they are pretty good at it actually.”

As a result of the extra space, Aikido Yukon has been offering free adult classes to Yukon College students all week.

Aikido Yukon offers training in hand-to-hand combat and lessons in how to use a staff or sword.

For more information about the martial arts organization call 334-9844 or visit gmyukon.free.fr/.