Who can believe that we are getting ready for summer?  2017 seems to be flying by and there are many activities to come during these months of fun at OKC!  Summer, and the freedom it brings, is a great season to make up missed time that might have happened during the school year AND, for our Brown Belt Students, to get those much needed sempai hours in so you can be ready for your next rank advancement.

If you will be taking a vacation away this summer, please remember that your student can bank the time that will be missed before you leave and that you have a full calendar year to make up any time, as well.  Of course, it goes without saying that if you truly care about having OKC as your dojo, it is extremely important to maintain your tuition payments on time.  Small businesses often have a difficult time over the summer and we greatly appreciate our families who continue with their support of our programs.

Please take a look at all that is happening – and changing – at OKC, so you won’t miss a single thing and we will see YOU in class!

Where will YOUR OKC T-shirt take you this summer?  To enter our Annual Contest, be sure to wear your OKC T-shirt when you’re out and about on vacation this summer.  It is super-easy to participate, just follow two simple steps:  1)  Take a photo of yourself wearing your OKC T; 2) Submit your photo to the dojo when you return and be a part of the fun!  Prizes will be awarded for the OKC T-shirt that was worn the farthest away; Most creative picture; and Senseis Pick of the Pic!  Please note, the OKC T-shirt must be worn by our OKC Student OR it doesn’t count!  All photos received will be posted in the dojo with our prize winning shots in September! There’s still time to get your OKC T-shirt on sale NOW through the end of May!

Try out our New BOX ✓ KICK ✓ = FIT !  Class with Sensei Becky on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7-7:45 PM.  This is a Women’s ONLY class, so feel free to bring along a friend.  No experience is necessary – come join the fun and get in shape.  You really will feel better and more energized!!!  New classes begin on June 5th – hope to see YOU there!

There is still time to reserve your spot in our Summer Mini-Seminars.  Pick the ones you like OR save $30.00 and come to all seven.  Registration closes on June 15th, so pick up your registration form TODAY and SIGN-UP!  All mini-seminars will be held on Thursdays from 3:00-4:30 PM beginning on June 22nd – the last seminar will be on August 3rd.

After much consideration and an evaluation of our current curriculum and how best to meet the needs of our students, we proudly announce the formation of two new classes to our schedule.

• The OKC Bridge Program is specially designed to meet the skills and talents of students who are in Kindergarten and First Grade.  This class is designed to help the younger karate student prepare for admission into our OKC Youth Program.  With a similar curriculum, “Bridgers” will learn some of those basic requirements, but do so in an environment that we believe is a little easier for them, with respect to their level of focus and participation.  If you know of anyone who fits this age group and is looking for a great program, please help us out and refer them to our program.  Classes for this group is underway – children are welcomed into this class at any time. Bridgers meet on Mondays/Wednesdays from 5:00-5:45 OR Tuesdays/Thursdays from 5:30-6:15 PM.
   
• OKC Little Ninjas Returns!  Back by popular demand, this renewed program welcomes our preschooler kids who are 4 years of age and early 5 year olds who are not yet kindergarten ready.  This special class helps prepare the student for admission into either our OKC Bridge Program OR our OKC Youth Program.  Placement in more advanced class settings is at the discretion of the Sensei.  Again, if you have friends or family members with a little person who wants to train and fits this profile, please recommend OKC!
  
  Our next Little Ninjas Session begins on September 19th – class size is limited so reserve your spot soon!  Classes for Little Ninjas meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00-4:30 PM.

Many have asked if we have a different class schedule for the summer.  For the majority of our classes, our schedule stays exactly the same, with these exceptions.

Because attendance significantly drops off on the Saturdays during summer, we will not be offering Saturday Classes on all Saturdays beginning June 1st through August 31st and the studio will be closed on these days.  Saturday classes will resume again, as previously scheduled, on the first Saturday after the Labor Day Weekend – September 9th.

Likewise, Fridays are also extremely light in attendance SO, this summer we will be offering one class on Fridays for All Ages and All Ranks from 5:30 to 7:00 PM.  Please make a note that there will be NO Friday class on August 18th due to Shodan Testing.

For Updated Information Regarding Summer Activities at OKC…
Please visit our website at: www.orangekaratecenter.com.  If you’ve not done so yet, please like us on FaceBook and be a part of the OKC Group Page.

Summer is here (almost)!  Time for lounging in the sun, chasing squirrels if I feel like it, and snagging treats when my family BBQs!  I can’t wait!  Kids – remember to keep up with your karate training over the summer.  It feels good to work out – I know, I run all of the time!  AND, you can make a lot of really good progress in your martial arts cuz you don’t have all of that school work to do!  Woof! Woof!  So, keep your paws up and look for me – there may be some days that I get to come to the dojo too!