Eventful Summer Camp June 18-20!

This year’s Summer Camp for all 10-23 year olds took place at Lake Råda outside Gothenburg. We were 32 children and youth from Riai and some from Sedokan Dojo in Växjö. Wonderful weather! On the afternoon of June 18, 13 youth aged 14-23 gathered to join us leaders on Saturday’s hike and to actively particpate in the planning. Thank you Urban and Nina for the best super dinner on Friday night when we came back!

Saturday morning the rest of the participants came, and during the day we walked 6 hours (about 10 km) and paused just to train, a swim and lunch. We started strong with 300 sword cuts on the 200 meter long road along Rådadjön. Stella and Leonard observed, there were six bridges and created a whole narrative so that on Saturday’s hike you had to actively avoid being hit every time you crossed a bridge. In conclusion, we did tachidori on the bridge upon returning home. Thank you Marcus, Tony and Anja for a fantastic lunch in every way! After swimming before dinner, we got to try juggling under the guidance of Fredrik Shirén. Dinner and Aikimello with 12 performances ended the evening. The very best thing about Aikimello is that you can show what you want and always get wonderful applauses!

On Sunday we had a Happy Lajv (Happy Live Role Play) directed by Carl Stenmark. It was the Battle of Hakata Bay in 1274, between the Japanese and the Mongols, which was played out. It took three hours and started with the two generals Emma and Alina making sure, each group’s packs were neatly lined up. It was a great success and we are looking forward to more historical aikdo live role plays in the future.

We all wish you a wonderful summer, and see you again this autumn!

PS

The beautiful black and white photos were taken by Estelle’s dad Tony!