06/28/2025
What an amazing week at Gracie Vermont! This past week we had our summer camp, which is always a highlight each year. Kids, parents and counselors all look forward to this week, as we get to spend a whole week together, getting to know each other, learning different skills and activities, and building up a camaraderie that lasts far beyond Jiu Jitsu class.
While we do incorporate, a Jiu Jitsu component, the goal of this camp is to teach these kids how to interact with one another, learn about and from each other, and above all else, learned to have a kind, caring relationship with people of all ages and backgrounds.
Each day there were several activities, with rewards for the winners of both group and individual challenges.
Day 1 was an icebreaker, get to know you challenge, where we broke into groups of five and gave the kids 10 minutes to ask a series of questions, then throughout the day checked in with each other to see how much they knew about their teammates.
Day 2 was all about Nerffing out!
Day 3 we broke them into groups of three, blindfolded two of them and bound their legs together, while the third had to guide them through an obstacle course to retrieve their target and bring it back, after lunch we once again took the kids to the pool for a beautiful day of swimming and playing. We even gave them a water, balloon fight, and a chance to do the counselors!
Day 4 we had an epic double elimination connect for challenge which saw an amazing finals, with everybody rallying around both competitors.
Day 5 we had the much anticipated chocolate no bake cookie challenge. The kids loved this opportunity to not only make a delicious creation, but to go to the grocery store and track down the ingredients. I know that makes them feel pretty mature, and I love watching them work together as you navigate the grocery store and paying on their own.
All in all this week was an amazing time for our academy and kids program. To the adult day class members who stayed patient and rolled with the chaos of the day, (pun intended) thank you! Weeks like this reminded me just how lucky we all are to have this place in our community!