Child Safety & Self-Defense Classes
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Child Safety & Self-Defense Classes
June 2007
Any recommendations for a self defense class for an 18
year old girl who is going off to college in the fall?
Skittish Mom
I highly recommend Studio Naga in Oakland. They are a
martial arts studio that also teaches self defense.
Female instructors teach awareness and give non-verbal and
verbal tools in addition to the obvious physical tools.
What I like is that there are males involved in the self-
defense trainings to simulate situations to practice all
skills. It feels ''real'' and when it does tap into
something personal, the support is respectful and
compassionate.
Studio Naga
5850 San Pablo Avenue
Oakland 94608
510.652.6242
www.studionaga.com
anonymous
I second the recommendation for Studio Naga as a fantastic
place for self defense classes for teens! (and younger
kids as well!) I have seen 1st hand the grumpy teenage
girls, hanging back and giving attitude at the beginning
and by the end, they are transformed! Yelling and
empowered with their body language shifted to say, ''don't
mess with me!'' Great stuff!
K
March 2007
I'd like to get people's experience with the Teenpower,
Kidpower, and/or Fullpower programs. I am looking to
determine if it's a suitable program for my almost 14 year
old son (and possibly me). Also, it looks like parents
organise the class (assemble a group and find a place).
How difficult is that to do? Any info would be helpful.
Thanks.
I attended an information meeting, and it seemed like a
rather cultish way of teaching kids (and everyone else in
the universe) street smarts. They have a system of
vocabulary for the skills they teach that they seem very
attached to, and also a strong belief in their system for
teaching street skills over all others. In addition, they
seemed very focused on getting the people at the meeting to
fundraise/donate large amounts of money to their
organization. Also, like a cult or Amway-type organization,
they work through social networks. I would investigate it a
little more before signing up.
anon
I didn't see the original post, but I wanted to mention one problem I had with
kidpower. Lots of people love it and I think there's a lot that's positive about
it. I may be the only person in the world with this issue, but I felt that my
daughter was too young to be introduced to the idea that she could be totally
taken away by a bad stranger - even though we all know this happens in the
world. I told them how I felt about this right at the beginning of a 2-day
workshop, actually at a shorter evening thing for parents the night before. I
asked them when they introduced this concept, and they said day 2. I said,
''So if she does day 1 and I keep her out of day 2, she won't hear about this?''
They said yes. I had no problem paying for two days and only doing one. At
end of day 1 when I picked her up, she had already heard about strangers
coming to take you away in their car. Aside from whether anyone shares my
opinion, I felt they thought I was crazy, spoke condescendingly, and basically
lied. That's my experience.
Anon
I cannot speak about Kidpower, but can tell you my
experience with Impact Bay Area women's self defense,
previously known as Bay Area Model Mugging. This
organization offers classes and can also be hired if you
have a group interested in sponsoring classes. I feel that
it is important for teens to learn some street smarts and
rudimentary self defense, which is what the 2-Saturday
course taught. Therefore I worked with a teen organization
to sponsor classes. The response was positive from both
parents and the girls who attended. My oldest daughter was
extremely reluctant to take the class, and it was hard to
convince her to go. After the first session, she thought
it very useful and gladly went the second weekend. She
urged me to send our younger daughter.
Therefore, about a year ago I signed my younger daughter
up for classes that Impact organized. Arriving the first
Saturday at their designated spot, we and other parents
waited for some time outside. It turned out that the
instructor didn't have the key to get in. Why there was no
instructor out front or notice given--even a hastily done
sign on the front door--I can only believe was due to poor
organization. The class the next weekend was good. The
instructor was there on time and I believe my daughter
learned some skills. We did not attend the make-up second
class as we had a scheduling conflict.
I did not feel at any time that these people were pushing
fundraising or were in any way cult-like. One hopes their
organizational skills have improved.
I was interested in working with Berkeley High School to
sponsor Impact classes. I was told by the administration
that because the classes are fee based that it would not
be possible to offer them at BHS.
d
I have great respect and admiration for
kidpower/teenpower/fullpower. Crestmont School (parent co-
op, grades K-5) in Richmond had them give their classes to
their students when my kids attended Crestmont a number of
years ago. First they gave a presentation at the parents’
membership meeting so the parents would know what it was
all about and so we could learn some of the same ideas and
techniques as they would be teaching our children.
I thought their ideas and techniques were “right-on the
mark,” and they presented the material in a way that
emphasized a child’s/teen’s/person’s power and strength,
rather than making them afraid.
In approximately 2001 when I was involved in starting
Manzanita Middle School (a public charter school in
Richmond) we asked Kidpower/Teenpower about doing a class
with our students (many of whom live in less than safe
areas). They agreed to do the class for free (I believe
through a grant they had obtained) as the school had
essentially no extra money, and the class was very well
received. I thought this was very kind of them and feel
confident that it increased the safety of our students.
I had my own son take a teenpower class before he started
attending Berkeley High School. He wasn’t hot on taking
any class of this type, but liked it well enough and I
believe it gave him more confidence in himself. Parents
were invited to join the group for a short demonstration
at the end of the class, and I found the tips and
techniques presented highly valuable. Things about how to
keep from getting into a dangerous situation in the first
place, and specific ways to fight back and get away when
needed. The participants were able to practice several
specific moves on a heavily padded teenpower leader.
Also, the few times I have made a modest donation to the
organization I have received a handwritten note or a
personal e-mail thanking me. I highly recommend this
organization and suggest you peruse their website at
http://www.kidpower.org/
You might especially like to read their endorsements and
success stories under “about us.”
Mary
May 2002
Does anyone have experience with sending their preteen/teen kid to
BAMM? BAMM is a an organization that teaches street smarts and
self-defense. It is fairly expensive and I would like some testimonials
before having my girl attend. Thank you. Trisha
Recommendations received:
Bay Area Model Mugging (2)
Kidpower (1)
2-hour class for 10-year-olds?
2001
I'm looking for someone who can do a 2-3 hour self-defense/protection
workshop for 4 ten-year-old girls. Perhaps sometime along the lines
of what Kidpower offers but much shorter. I'd appreciate any leads.
Thank you.
Re the request for a self protection workshop for a group of girls, "perhaps
like what Kidpower offers but much shorter":
Shorter workshops are not offered *publicly* through Kidpower, but they are
easily -- and frequently -- arranged. The vast majority of Kidpower
workshops are privately coordinated for groups (scouts, schools, clubs,
etc.) and range in length from one half hour to eleven hours, based on the
age, life situation, and time constraints of the group. All workshops are
tailored to meet the needs of the group being served, and, as with our
public classes, we never turn groups or individuals away for financial
reasons.
Feel free to contact me, Kidpower East Bay Program Coordinator
Erika Holmes, at eastbay at kidpower dot org if you would like more information.
Rape Prevention Classes for Teens
There are two well-known programs, one is Kidpower & Teenpower,
with an office in Berkeley. They have a sliding scale. The other
organization, BAMM, Bay Area Model Muggers, is the oldest organization in
the country teaching padded assailant self-defense. They teach teen girls in
a three-part class. Although they don't often have classes in Berkeley or
Oakland, they can be hired to teach a class if you have 10 or more girls.
This can be organized through school or religious associations. The director
is Cori Courture 650 366-4006.
D. (12/00)
BAMM ( Bay Area Model Mugging)
April 2004
[Editor Note] BAMM has now changed its name to Impact Bay Area,
per email from Carolyn Wales:
"I noticed that you have a couple of testimonials about Bay Area Model Mugging (BAMM). Would it be possible to change the name and contact information on those pages? Cori Couture left us a couple of years back, and we've changed our name to Impact Bay Area to more closely align ourselves with the other Impact self defense chapters. We're still the same organization, though - only the name is different.
Our current web site and phone number:
www.impactbayarea.org, 510.208.0474
May 2002
Re: Classes for teen girl
I am responding to the BAMM request for testimonials. My daughter and
her best friend just finished the BAMM SF series 2 months ago. It was
terrific and well worth it. They feel that they can set limits, avoid
dangerous situations and have some powerful self defense rules should
they ever need it. Both girls are 12 and it also introduced the
concept of "dating" and how to manage the physical expectations of
relationships.
Karen
I would gladly give a testimonial for BAMM for anyone of any age. I took it
myself a number of years ago, and found it astoundingly powerful, physically
and emotionally. I have a number of psychotherapy clients who I have
referred to it who have benefited from it greatly. The instructors are
well-trained to deal with both physical and emotional issues (which do come
up for older teens and adults) A psychology student of mine wrote her
thesis
about BAMM, and I got to know the director through her thesis project, and
was very impressed with her.
I have two daughters (now 15 and 19). They took the kids' course when they
were 7 and 11, and then each took the teen course when they were each about
14. The older one took it right after a friend of her's was attacked, and
she and her friends who took it with her found it especially empowering and
healing for them at a difficult time. Both girls still refer to it to
reassure me--"Remember, Mom, I took BAMM--I know how to say 'NO!' "
It is expensive, but I think it's worth the money, especially for high
school
girls. (And boys--I think they offer courses for boys, too.) You can go to
one of the "graduations" for the regular courses (I'm not sure about the
teen
courses) to get a sense of what they're like--just call the office.
Mary Ann
April 2000
My 14 year old daughter just took a self-defense class which I
thought was very good. It was given by BAMM ( Bay Area Model Mugging)
It was three, 3 hour classes. The cost was $120 with ten girls in the
class. We contacted them and arranged the class with girls we knew,
so we could arrange the time and dates to our schedules. They may
also have classes that are already scheduled that you can attend. The
girls actually get to experience trying the techniques taught in full
force on a very padded man.
Lynn
Kidpower
May 2002
Re: Classes for teen girl
I have no experience with BAMM, but my daughters took workshops with
Kidpower and we were very happy with them. I was so inspired by what they
learned that I also did a workshop. You can contact them through
www.kidpower.org.
Jil
Kid Power from Santa Cruz (affiliated with Model Mugging) provides
excellent classes in Berkeley for teens. They teach a quick and effective
physical self defense technique and provide real practice against men
wearing heavy padded protection. The training also includes avoidance of
trouble, including adult sexual overtures (counselors, teachers, etc),
being followed in a Mall, bullied at camp, and urged to smoke, drink or
take drugs. The teachers are well trained. Sandra
I, my husband and our 4 year old daughter took KidPower training last
October. We learned a lot. The instructor was excellent. I like the program
because they don't just teach "stranger danger." They teach the difference
between someone you know and someone that you don't know and how to keep a
safe distance. They teach how to handle manipulative people and bullies.
They also emphasize that the parents go over the training at home. My
daughter still remembers a lot of the training and we review it
occasionally, especially the part about putting hurtful words in the trash
and not letting them into you heart. My daughter participated fully in the
class exercises. There were some children who did not participate so much,
but the instructor emphasized not to worry about it because those kids
still get the concept and will bring up the exercises later at home. I
highly recommend KidPower!
Jeanne
I would like to highly recommend Kidpower to other families. Our family
(husband, 6 yr old daughter, 4 yr old son) participated in late January
at Black Pine Circle School. The course was taught by the founder,
Irene, and was very: interactive, appropriate, practical, empowering.
Many exercises in which everyone listened and then the kids had to
"teach" their parents the various responses to unsafe situations. My
kids are now going around the house using some of the techniques we
learned (like creating an imaginary garbage can and "throwing away"
hurtful things that people/kids say). The class included lots of common
scenarios: what to do if lost in a crowd, how to go to a firefighter if
there is a fire even if he/she is a stranger, how to preserve
appropriate physical boundaries from others, etc. Lots of useful
knowledge, definitely fine for the older preschool set, as well as
elementary school kids. A good investment of your family's time.
Deborah
When AWARENESS of a risk is increased without an increase in SKILL to
deal with that risk, FEAR goes up, and the quality of life goes down.
It sounds like your family's awareness of home invasion has gone way up,
and so has the fear of what would happen and what you could do if it
happened again.
This intense fear is common among people of all ages -- especially kids --
whose personal space has been violated in some way. Developing and practicing
realistic, age-appropriate self protection skills can reduce that fear. No,
nothing works all the time, and having someone break into your home while
you were there would always be a very dangerous situation, especially for a
child. However, if a child is ALREADY AWARE of this risk, having NO plans of
what s/he might try if it were to happen can make the fear of it absolutely
overwhelming. ecoming familiar with the power we DO have -- to think, to move,
to yell, to talk -- often helps bring overwhelming fear down to a manageable
level.
Alarms are great, and I hope you find a good one. In addition to having tools
like strong locks and reliable alarm systems, taking steps to increase the
skills
we carry inside our brains & bodies all the time often increases the sense of
safety and therefore the quality of life for people of all ages. You can do
that
through KIDPOWER, which trains people of all ages and never turns anyone
away
for financial reasons, and probably through some other places; ask your
friends
for ideas and references.
You may have done all this already, including actually practicing with your
kids ways to deal with the risks they're imagining. (Research shows that kids
in a potentially dangerous situation are more likely to do not what they have
been told but what they have actually PRACTICED.) However, I wanted to get the
idea out there just in case it might help you or anyone else whose quality of
life is brought down by this particular fear
ebkidpower at mindspring dot com
A non-profit organization called "Kidpower" does weekend workshops in
the Bay Area on child safety issues and in particular Stranger Danger
for kids ages 4-14. They may come into schools as well. They do a good
job with the younger kids of delivering the information in an objective,
non-scary way and including activities in which the children feel
empowered by their success. They're based in Santa Cruz. Their office
number is (831)426-4407. They also have an 800 voicemail number at
(800)467-6997 and an e-mail address of safety at kidpower dot org.
My kids (girls aged 11 and 8) do NOT want to hear about safety from me.
But they love learning and practicing self-protection skills with Erika
Holmes, a former Albany middle-school teacher who heads East Bay
KIDPOWER. She is funny, non-threatening, and teaches kids how to act
aware, take charge, and get help if they need it.
Erica is leading a KIDPOWER workshop in Berkeley, July 15-18. Parents
meet (without kids) on Thursday night, July 15; kids meet on Saturday
and Sunday from 9-1pm; parents join the kids for the last hour on Sunday
from 12-1, to see what they have learned. This is a great chance for
kids to learn safety skills and have fun at the same time. Call Erica
Holmes for more info at 510/243-0 (zero) KID (510/243-0543).
Merry (6/99)
Teenpower
Do consider TEENPOWER self-defense programs for teens, which run
frequently in the Berkeley area.
My family has enjoyed KIDPOWER TEENPOWER FULLPOWER classes, and we've
been very happy with the program. Our kids learned alot and had a great
time. We've also seen KIDPOWER demonstrations at Cornell School in
Albany that really engaged groups of 50-100 kids.
TEENPOWER's East Bay Program Coordinator, Erika Holmes, who was formerly
a 6th grade teacher at Albany Middle School, told me that most teens,
both boys and girls, end up in TEENPOWER classes because "my parents
made me
come," and that they are almost always enthusiastic about the experience
by
the end of the five-hour class. As we know, because of their increasing
independence, teenagers face an especially high risk of violence and
really benefit from preventive
training. TEENPOWER is designed to give them tools for dealing with
verbal attack, peer
pressure, and harassment as well as assaults from strangers and
acquaintances. Our kids haven't taken TEENPOWER yet because our kids are
too
young, but I have great respect for Erika Holmes, and she can give you
references from kids who participated in those workshops for older
kids. KIDPOWER's services for
young people are endorsed by the Center for Child Protection at
Children's
Hospital Oakland.
If you're interested in East Bay TEENPOWER, call Erika Holmes at
510-243-0543, send email to eastbay at kidpower dot org, or check the web at
http://www.kidpower.org
-- Merry (4/00)
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