by Sensei Dara Masi
Photo Credits: Sensei Melanie Fine

Camp Suigetsu
2001

What grew from a late night conversation became a wonderful summer event for many students at Camp Suigetsu 2001. In February, Melanie Fine and I decided to finally fulfill a dream of running a weekend camp for martial artists and their families at a summer camp facility. We knew it was close to Memorial Day but committed that if the camp was available, we would just DO IT, and we did! After a few phone calls and a visit to the location in southeastern Pennsylvania, we booked it!

Sensei Dara Masi’s class
on Jujutsu Armbars.

We realized it was late to be starting such a project, but within a week we created our advertisement, mailings, and teachers and got them all out the door. We called Sensei Carol Middleton of DC Self Defense Karate Association as well as Mark Speranza of Long Island Martial Arts Academy and asked them to join us as instructors at our inaugural camp. Both said yes, and were excited to come aboard.

After months of work dealing with the many details of a camp of this size, it was Memorial Day weekend, and we were on our way. We had registered over 130 people: 20 from Carols Middleton’s school, 5 from Mark Sperana’s school, 100 from our school, and several from other schools. The grim weather forecast forced us to juggle outdoor events and find alternatives. Having planned all we could possibly plan, we started our trip to camp with the car packed full.

We arrived Friday night with our staff of three students. The rest of the campers would arrive Saturday morning. Enduring torrential downpours and heavy lightening all night, we awoke Saturday morning, coffee in hand, ready to go. Melanie rode around in the golf cart troubleshooting, while Jessica and Laura took care of registration, Nick and I stood at the front guard booth directing folks to registration, their cabin, and one in error to the middle of the baseball field!

While in trying to help the stranded students in the baseball field, Melanie almost lost the golf cart down a hill - and in the pouring rain chased it, and gained control before a big crash. The fun had begun!

Saturday was filled with downpours and indoor classes. The campers did not let the shock of summer camp accommodations or the rain get them down. Sensei Middleton started off the adult training with a self defense class, Sensei Fine taught rolling and falling for children, and I took control of the golf cart! Saturday night’s dinner was surprisingly good and included more announcements of changes due to the weather. The bonfire was moved indoors to a huge fireplace (we had a lot of marshmallows, chocolate bars and graham crackers to get rid of!!) The fun continued!

Sunday morning Sensei Speranza ran a morning meditation class. At the end of the class, he told the students to visualize the sun and when they opened their eyes the sun would appear. IT DID! The rain finally gave way to a beautiful day. Our Ninja Mission was back outside, the Tai Chi class was near the creek, boating took place in the lake, and everyone enjoyed the beautiful pool. Evening brought more rain. Thankfully, our student Scott had brought a car load of electronic equipment and created a movie theater (surround sound and all) in one of the camp buildings. We even packed popcorn poppers! We spent the evening with a triple feature of children’s, martial arts, and recently released movies. It was a huge success.

Suigetsu Dojo students Ethan Bernadone and Eric Ellsworth having fun at lunch.

Monday came all to quickly and folks packed up after breakfast. The last classes, shuriken throwing for children with Sensei Speranza and my class on armbars for adults, were well-attended. Closing ceremonies included a Memorial Day rememberance and we all hit the road heading for home.

This camp was a huge success, and something Melanie and I believed in for many years. Each class session, we offered adult martial arts class, a children’s martial arts class, and an activity for the folks who did not train. There was something for each member in the family to do.

Everybody smiling after a meal… the food couldn’t have been that bad!

It all happened so fast. I remember my Italian grandmother’s old saying “You cook for days and it is all done in one hour.” It felt just like that. We had worked for months, and it was over in a few short days! The most important goal for us was achieved: all campers had a great time!

Suigetsu students Jessica Greenfield and Laura Rebecca working registration.

Suigetsu Dojo students Craig Silverman and Melissa Guisto dodging rubber ninja stars in Sensei Mark Speranza’s Shuriken Class.