This is what the summer camps were like

Over 200 people took part in 3 sessions of summer taekwon-do camps organised by KCT! There was plenty of great fun and a tremendous amount of work done during training. But let’s take it one step at a time.

KLUSZKOWCE

The first session was actually an additional one. As all available places at the Małe Smoki camp in Zawoja had been filled, we decided to organise one more camp in a slightly changed format.

Everything took place in Kluszkowce by Lake Czorsztyn. Małe Smoki and their parents were accommodated at the “Pod Wulkanem” hotel on the slopes of Mount Wdżar. The children had 2 training sessions scheduled each day. For the first time, we offered parents the opportunity to train regularly. Every day, the fitness room was full of parents ready to give it their all.

And since people do not live by training alone, we prepared a host of attractions for the participants. The children had art activities, daily mini-discos, bedtime story reading, and a playroom and trampoline at their disposal. Some training sessions took place on the beach by the lake. On one sunny day, the whole group went on a boat trip to Niedzica Castle. On another, the whole group rode pedal boats. The parents also had their own day at the SPA. At the end of the camp, everyone could enjoy the Alpine Coaster.

ZAWOJA I

The day after the camp in Kluszkowce ended, the club staff and young athletes arrived in Zawoja. At the familiar “Jędruś” centre, Małe Smoki and their carers checked in, along with a group of so-called Duże Smoki—children who train in taekwon-do groups.

Here too, training was the focus of our day. Parents also joined in the training here. We had a swimming pool, a paddling pool with a slide and large sports fields at our disposal. Participants had the opportunity to use the salt graduation tower, walk along the educational trail of the Babia Góra National Park, visit the “Korona Ziemi” Mountain Centre and the Las Przygód rope park. A coffee machine was a particular attraction for the parents and carers. The camp ended with an examination for children’s taekwon-do grades.

ZAWOJA II

A few hours after our younger participants left, the largest group arrived for the second session. As many as 118 people from Kraków, Wieliczka, Gdów, Iława, Krapkowice and Gogolin. This camp was definitely the most training-intensive. The older participants had as many as 4 sessions a day.

This time, the group visited the “Wypasiona Dolina” rope park in Zubrzyca Górna. Even the oldest camp participants had never seen ziplines that long. But the children also had plenty of room to romp.

The greatest challenge, apart from the final examination, was climbing Babia Góra. The younger subcamp used transport and began the march from Krowiarki Pass. Despite their fatigue, everyone marched bravely under the watchful eye of a guide. And at the summit of Diablak, 50 taekwondo practitioners performed an epic Chon-ji tul. A film of this event is on our Facebook fan page.

The older group set off along a more difficult route the following week. The summit was reached in two groups. Adults and fit participants reached it via “Perć Akademików”, while minors and fit participants took the red trail.

We had a special guest in the second week of the camp. Coach Kamil Samal runs his club in Ostrava (Czech Republic) and agreed to come to Zawoja at our invitation. Over two days, as many as 7 training sessions were held for different age groups.

The camp concluded with examinations. First for children’s grades, then for senior grades. The highlight was an evening examination for master grades. 4 people took part, and all of them passed.

FUTURE PLANS

Although astronomical summer is still underway, we are already making plans for future camps. During the winter holidays, we are planning 2 sessions. The first, in Kluszkowce, is a very reasonably priced option offering plenty of fun for beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders. The second will take place in Slovakia and will be dedicated to those expecting an even higher standard, longer ski runs and more challenging slopes.