Amongst the tall trees and
green scrub members gathered before 9 a.m. for what was to be a
beautiful day in the bush. After a leisurely warm-up each clan
gathered together and headed off into the bushland for their first exercises. The morning was taken up experiencing
the Way of Strength as members negotiated natural obstacles,
manipulated small boulders and hauled around their clan-mates in
individual and team efforts.
After a short break the Way of
Techniques began, each clan group explored their unarmed and
weaponry techniques amongst the trees, with targets strung out
to be attacked as they negotiated rough ground and encumbering
surroundings. They also experienced multiple attack situations
within the bushland setting, being encouraged to consider and
use their environment to even the odds and improve their
situation.
A hot cooked lunch recharged
worn participants before the Way of Harmony began. Back into the
bush to look at stealth techniques and perception. In the
stealth exercise members were encouraged to work in small squads
to distract roaming 'samurai' and steal the treasures being
guarded, anyone caught was wounded and had to be carried back to
base. In the perception exercise the 'samurai' were blindfolded
and relied on a web of ropes to detect intruders movements. This
culminated in assessments to gain points for each clans overall
point tallies as the 2nd Dan Black Belts watched over
every event writing down their observations of the members
activities.
By 5 p.m. it was all finished,
everyone gathered together for a summing-up by Shihan John Ang
who watched-over every moment of the day. The younger members
were finally tired out, the older members were pleased that they
made it through the day and talk of next years event had already
begun. Thanks to all who participated in the Annual Bush Camp
2008 and made it a well attended and successful day.
Here are some photos of the days
events;
