The Farm Training Programme of Outdoor Classes began in June, 1974 and quickly became one of the most popular and distinctive programmes of the Dojo. Many wonderful outdoor trainings were held there in winter (combined with cross-country skiing) as well as summer (combined with swimming and hiking).

The locale for these events was Sensei's hundred acre Farm (with stream, pond, rolling hills, and adjacent twenty-acre virgin forest - the last in all of Southern Ontario), near Meaford, Ontario.

The farm was sold in June 1999, and for the first time, we held our annual summer training at Bruce's Mill Conservation Area. Although not as private nor distinctly "ours" as the farm was, it did offer several distinct advantages such as modern toilet facilities (sorry - no more romantic line-ups at the outhouse) and a ride of about 30 minutes from downtown Toronto as opposed to 2 hours to the Farm. Some of us will always miss the romanticism of the Farm. On the other hand, Bruce's Mill is an excellent location for our trainings, close to the city, with excellent views, clean washrooms, beautiful hiking trails, picnic benches, and wonderful grass to train on.

This training is an event we ask everyone who is yellow belt and above to attend. It is that important! Juniors may attend only if accompanied by your parents.

This year will see the addition of a soccer game and aerobic frisbee!

Please remember to register in the Dojo and pay the training fee of twenty five dollars (with your June fees). This includes parking, tax, and admission to the park. If you need a ride, please look over the list for people in your area with a car.

This training is required for all adult yellow belts and above in the Dojo. Juniors may attend only if accompanied by your parent(s). Juniors wishing to attend - please consult with me before registering.

Admission to the park will begin at 8:00 AM. Class will commence at 8:30 AM and continue until 6:00 PM. Please arrive on time. The park formally opens at 9:00 AM, but we will be allowed to drive on through the gate at 8:00 AM without paying. Sensei will go back to the gate later in the day and settle the admission and parking fee for everyone (which is included in your registration fee). This has all been arranged with the park supervisor specially for us. People who arrive late, however, will need to pay their own entry ($4.00 per person). You will not be reimbursed, so please arrive on time!

1. The address for Bruce's Mill is 3291 Stouffville Road, Stouffville, Ontario
2. Take Don Valley Parkway (becomes 404) to Stouffville Rd.
3. Exit east on Stouffville Rd. and drive past Warden. Bruce's Mill is on the south side (right) of the road between Warden and Kennedy. On Saturday mornings, the trip takes approximately 30 - 40 minutes from downtown Toronto.
4. Once you enter the park, proceed to the Maple Grove 1 Site , which has been reserved for us.

Please bring your own lunch and lots of snack food (fruit will be served throughout the day as well).

Remember that this will be an outdoor training so please bring athletic shoes, hat, sunscreen, gi, and lots of changes of clothing (including old gi or similar item for practicing rolls, falls, etc.).

This will be a magnificent day of intense and intelligent training that will be truly fun and meaningful. We will be doing Karate-do, hiking or running, and more. An important part of the day will be the martial arts philosophy lecture which will take place after lunch.

We look forward to seeing you there.

There are washrooms and driking water next to the site and picnic tables will be moved thre in time for our lunch. We are just adjacent to the hiking trail that goes through the conservation area and provides a wonderful, scenic walk.

A Chinese dinner at the Mandarin Restaurant near Bruce's Mill will be held immediately after the training (6:30pm) for those who would like to attend.

This is an excellent opportunity for great food and conversation and an opportunity to become better acquainted with everyone in the Dojo.

Please sign up for the dinner on the separate sign-up sheet. You do not need to pay in advance for this. Price and instructions are included on the sign-up sheet.