Land of the Sky
Honor Challenges
The Honor Challenges provide students of unusual drive and determination a chance to push themselves and test their limits.
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In addition to the Honor Challenges previously described our program features a host of 'minor' challenges that students may also complete for respect and as a demonstration of ability. The minor challenges are considered so only because they often require less preparation and may be undertaken without a direct mentor acting as a sponsor. In fact, minor challenges are based on spontaneous acts of staff members or former students and may be completed with just such spontaneity! Minor challenges are demonstrations of warrior spirit, endurance, strength, patience, or overcoming one's fears, as well as academic learning or knowledge. Examples are as follows, there are more than is listed below - and some will always remain a secret to ye' outsiders!
1.) Cold Water Yamabushido - Our mountains are home to some of the purest coldest water around. Shaded by trees, splashing out of the mountainsides and deep rocks it comes down from on high in waterfalls and collects in pools that can be as clear as a crystal. The cold water challenge requires a scout to slowly immerse into the water. After tying a pair of rocks across the waist with cord or laying a large stone on the stomach, a scout leans back slowly into the frigid water and descends beneath the surface and must breathe through a small tube for at least 5 slow breaths. The bar is always being raised on this task!
Congrats to Thomas, Adam, Taylor and . . . who am I forgetting?
2.) Rope Climb - Mr. Bolejack likes ropes. In fact he loves ropes. Cutting a rope unnecessarily has been known to cause Mr. Bolejack physical pain and agony! One way we can thank our ropes for their dedicated service is to challenge ourselves to free climb them to impressive heights. While we may get a larger rope when some money comes our way, the current challenge is to climb our extraordinarily high too-small rope into the tree tops demonstrating locking descent techniques on the way down.Congrats to Corinne who not only showed a girl can do it, but is the only student to complete the free climb. Minor first aid required (Don't worry Corinne, you inspired us to set up a belay system!!!!) I mean, how many other teens can do 71 correct pushups in a minute?
3.) Rafter Spider - The rafter spider is someone who can free climb, upside down, in the barn dojo across the entire roof and go OVER the string tied across the ceiling. Watch those splinters, ha ha.
Hmmm...that would only be who other than staff...Aslan? Way to go.
4.) Stick the Stump - Challenge Two Dogs to a knife throw competition, or Adam for that matter, and win. Follow stick the stump rules which are; 12 knives in a hand, no distance limitation, 1 point per separate stump stuck, and 1 point for each half rotation. Ex; a 2 rotation throw would be 4 points, 1/2 rotation 1 point. First to 33 cannot go over must finish hand. Sudden death matches are most rotations stuck starting at 1/2 and moving back 1/2 rotation increments per each stick, no stump or distance requirements. Double-sudden-death match moves back in distance increments of 8 feet per stick, no rotation requirements!
Yeah right, still waiting....
5.) Rain Fire - Start a fire in the rain - must be actively raining!
Mel, of course!
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* Picture Gallery from last year's camp *
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Land of the Sky martial Arts
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