Planning karate summer camp?

I thought I would try something different during the summer and have a karate summer camp. It would just be offered for the kids who are current in this session who are ages 9+. An aproximate guess of kids going would be 10-12. I can get a minimum of 6 chaperones (and more if I beg). (3 male 3 female all of them teach kids karate classes) It would be a week in a hotel (in state and we got great deal for price) Everyone has passed numerous first aid classes. Then I was thinking the kids could go in 2 different dirrections during the camp- they could train for a practice tournament or they could work towards their next belt level. I thought morning to earlly afternoon could be training:

1 hour of (kata/kihon or kumite it would rotate each day- the focuss)

30 minutes of each of whatever is not the focuss of the class

1 hour belt/tournament prep

30 min self defence

1 hour "games" (fun drills to go with the focus of the day)

optional private lessons



and of course their would be breaks inbetween the training which depending on weather would be in the hotell or outside.



then we thought we would watch the karate kid moviesin the eavning and then 1 day after training we would take the kids to a local lake. and hang out there. But we havn't even introduced the idea to the parents. Expenses for this are probably going to be about $1500. so really its not that bad.



Has anyone ever done anything like this (parents have already signed waivers for the class should they sign another for the camp) Is there anything I need to legally take care of I live in Maine. Any advice?Planning karate summer camp?
There are several problems with what you propose. First lets address the price. From your description it appears that you think that the price would be about $1500 ??? I can tell you from the start that if that is the case you are already in trouble. $1500 is more than many people can afford. Not only that unless things are different where you live, there are many people out of work. The economy is going to put a big damper on anyone thinking about spending a lot of money.



Then there are the other problems of liability. Not only accident liability but other issues. You would need to have "many" adults around at all times to supervise the kids. If not you risk issues I won't even go into. Having been involved in summer camps before, I speak from experience when I say I don't think you want to even begin such a large undertaking as you propose. I don't mean to be negative on the idea. It has some merit. It is just that the risk and problems totally outweigh any benefits. At the price you mention, I seriously doubt you will get more than one or two students at most.



EDIT: I see you posed additional comments. I still feel that the cost is a possible prohibiting factor. In any case the legal issues scare me. I would not be willing to be responsible for the kids, and the chaperons. If any of the chaperons were to be negligent, you are to one that would get sued. All you need is one kid to get molested or even claim that they were abused in some way to ruin you. I have personally known of several dojo that are now out of business due to such activity. It takes only one student or adult that does the wrong thing to ruin your life for ever. Unfortunately, it happens more often than people think. Your risk, your choice.Planning karate summer camp?
KAYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!Planning karate summer camp?
Pugpaws2 made several good points.

the price is high and even if the economy was good a lot of people could not afford it

you need to look more into your state laws, some states require special permits for this. especially when dealing with kids.

you will need insurance for one.

and doing it in a different state then you have a business is not a sound idea. i would keep it in the same state.



i think you are thinking too big, i would suggest starting smaller, i would do a 3 day event on the weekend more local, and have a few guest instructor, they don't have to be a big name, or famous.

plan 3 all day events start say at 6pm on Friday, or something.

a smaller event will prepare you for what you will need to plan out then jumping right into such a large project, an in this economy you don't what to spend too much unless you are going to get it back.

and in general summer camps have a lot of legalities behind them. you need to research how your state handles them
Way to expensive unless you are going to have real talent there in terms of celebrity instructors...then "maybe" it would be worth it. Honestly though I have hosted summer camps before for my own schools as well as for a few of the associations I belong to and your price is way to high. Typically a three day weekend camp is all that is needed and with room and board it should not be more than $150 top dollar if you want peopl to actually come...and you had best have some famous instructors or it will never succeed.