Summer Fun for the Whole Family

     Summer break is next week and the Academy will be closed for that 1st week in July so our staff can go on vacation. Some of you may have the week already planned and filled with epic activities, or vacations of your own. However, some of you just read that first sentence and are panicking, because that means no summer camp next week. Whichever parenting category you fall into (prepared or panicked) we've got your back. This week's blog post is full of family fun ideas that are only a car ride away. Feel free to use them next week or anytime during summer break for some truly memorable family fun.

Little Eden Farm and Exotics:

     Located in Harrold, Texas and making it a little less than an hour drive from the Falls town this is a staycation experience unlike any other. Treat your kiddos (and let's be honest, yourself also) to some sweet animal cuddles. This is your not so average petting zoo experience that includes kangaroos, lemurs and more. They open their farm by reservation only. So give them a call at 940-733-5250 or contact them on Facebook. Whether you go next week or sometime during the summer this will be a fun adventure to share with your Little Warrior.

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center:

     Located in Glen Rose, TX this fun little safari experience is worth the 3 hour drive. View over 1,000 endangered animals from the comfort of your own car or take one of the guided safari tours in their open-air buses. For a few extra bucks, you can even buy animal food at the front gate to hand out during your tour. We promise that if you're lucky enough to coax a giraffe over the experience of feeding them is unlike any other. Check them out at https://fossilrim.org/

Dinosaur Valley State Park:

     For the kiddos who love animals that are of the extinct variety Dinosaur Valley is a must go. Also located in Glen Rose, TX this is the perfect follow up to your Fossil Rim adventure. Here your adventures include geocaching, hiking, camping, swimming, fishing, horseback riding, and of course searching for dinosaur tracks. The dinosaur tracks in the river bed are amazing! But you can't always see them because they're in the river bed so be sure to check their site for more details on the water level and to bring swim shoes and suits. They also have an awesome FREE Junior Park Ranger Program that if completed earns your little adventurer a special edition Honorary Ranger Pin. For more information and to see if the dinosaur tracks are visible check them out at https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/dinosaur-valley 
        

Graham Drive In Theater:

     For those of you looking for a fun summer adventure a little closer to home don't forget about the Graham Drive In. Open most weekends, they play a variety of family friendly new movies. Plus their snack bar is delicious! Check them out at http://grahamdrivein.com/ to see what's playing next and plan a family night under the stars. Bonus is most weekend performances are double features and they are waaaaaaaaaayyyyyy cheaper than going to the actual theater.

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History:

     Maybe you've heard of them and maybe you haven't, but this kid centered play experience is different enough to be worth mentioning. With a dinosaur dig, rotating interactive exibhits, the innovative building studios, and the children's museum you can easily spend a whole day playing here. With activities for children toddler age to early teen they are definitely worth checking out. Plus there are so many things to do in the area for an ultimate midweek getaway experience. More details available at https://www.fwmuseum.org/explore/


   

Water activities:

     We all know nothing beats the Texas heat like a little water fun. The options nearby are endless with Castaway Cove, Hurricane Harbor, the multitude of splash pads in the DFW area, Great Wolf Lodge, and of course more homey things like a good ole' water balloon battle in the backyard. So plan on getting a little wet next week and let the good times roll!

Experimental play:

     Looking for something a little closer to home? Check out Downtown's Crashwork Studios! This creative play space has an assortment of odds and ends that provide hours of entertainment for all ages. And with a price of under $10 you truly can't beat it. Check them out at https://crashworkswf.com/about-us/ 

     This doesn't even cover a quarter of the Texas adventures you can fill your family's summer with, but we thought these were a few of the lesser known, and unique ones worth sharing with your Little Warrior. You could totally go to Six Flags, Legoland, the Zoo, or the Aquarium and fight the crowds again. Or you could go bigger and have an adventure unlike any other. In summer the options are endless. So have fun! And be safe during our Summer Break next week!

#RaiseAWarrior 

Instructor Spotlight: Miss Tamera

Miss Tamera is AWESOME! 

She may be small, but Miss Tamera truly packs a big punch! Her personality, kind heart, and technical skill makes her a rock star on the mat!

Miss Tamera strives to teach our Little Warriors:

"The value of inner strength. Even when the world is dragging you down you have the ability to fight for happiness and everything you want. So don't let them get you down!"

The kiddos love Miss Tamera because:

She really is the easiest to work with because of her size.

She's always singing or humming while she works.

She gets all the Disney references.

She truly is great at explaining and breaking techniques down in bite sized pieces.

A few of Miss Tamera's favorite things:

Miss Tamera loves martial arts. She was so excited to move up to adult class and be challenged by the new material that she requested to transition soon after her 15th birthday instead of waiting till 16. And she kills it in class. In addition to martial arts, Miss Tamera (aka Red, tomatoe, or "Tuh-meera") loves to read and loves to eat. She can frequently be found snacking, although her favorite is by far mac n'cheese. Since Miss Tamera is always singing, humming, and dancing her way through class it is no surprise that her favorite movie is the classic "Dirty Dancing."

A little bit more about Miss Tamera:

Miss Tamera has a passion for small animals (she has 5 pets), music, the martial arts, and for children. She loves to help the students learn and grow just like she did here at Warrior's Way. When we asked who her heroes were her answer definitely was the best. She said "My heroes would have to be Tuhon and Mrs. Krystal (not to sound too cheesy) because they build something out of basically nothing and look where they are. Changing lives. I know I wouldn't be the person I am without them." We couldn't be more proud of this young lady and her goals to continue working with children as a music teacher after school. She's awesome out on the mat and all her work with our student's are excellent reps to help her achieve her goals!

Miss Tamera you're a rock star! 

It's been amazing watching you learn and grow through all these years! 

We love that you enjoy and want to give back to future generations of Warriors. 

#RaiseAWarrior 

Sportsmanship: The Warrior Way

     No matter the age there is always a thrill that comes with playing games. We can't help it. As humans our innate nature and drive is to win. Now some competition isn't necessarily a bad thing. I mean after all competitive drive is what pushes us to do better in work, relationships, academics and life in general. However, a competitive streak can easily spin out of control.

      Here at Warrior's Way we're not about winning at all costs. We try to teach your kiddos that good sportsmanship means honoring everyone on the field of the competition, including opponents, instructors, parents and spectators. Because sportsmanship, when it really comes down to it isn't about games or rules, but rather it is about treating others with respect and being a good person. 

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     There truly is no great secret to teaching sportsmanship. Kids follow our lead and need chances to test what they're learning. Most Warrior characteristics are like a muscle. They need to be utilized frequently to become stronger and ingrained within your child. So here are some easy steps to focus on in your home to start making sportsmanship a greater priority to your Little Warrior!

Don't let them win:

     When your child wins a game or sport it can be the cutest. They're excited and happy. As parents we're happy they're happy. However, this can easily become a moral pitfall if you let your child win every time you enter a contest or play together. It is unrealistic that we (or our child) will come first in everything, every single time. Life just doesn't work that way. You know it and I know it. So stop indulging their continued winning streak. It may be the easiest route, but our children need to know what it feels like when you come out on bottom as well as top. Losing teaches us to be flexible and resilient. It teaches us to work hard in the face of adversity and to cope with disappointment. These are vital lessons our children need. Because life won't be pulling any punches when they leave the nest. I'm not saying hang them out to dry. Consistently give them advice on how to do better in the future, but do not let them win just because.

Put the focus on what really matters:

     The goal of games and competitions aren't to win-win-win! That's a bonus of course, but it will be very unfulfilling life if that becomes our sole goal. Competitions and games give us a chance to test our skills and see how our hard work is paying off. And they're meant to be fun! To build relationships and strengthen our teamwork and cooperation. So instead of focusing on the stereotypical "Did you win?" up your game by asking instead "What did you learn?", "What would you do different?", and "Did you have fun?" With these tiny focal shifts you are teaching them to relish the process rather than solely looking forward to the end result. This goes a long way towards helping them deal with the many disappointments life will inevitably throw at them. And wouldn't we all be happier if we stopped looking forward to the end goal and celebrated every single moment?

Set some goals:

      Competing with others is great, but our true competition throughout life is ourselves. There is always someone bigger, faster, and stronger than you. You just can't change certain genetics or physical traits. So set some goals with your Warrior and teach them to always strive to be their best self. Don't be in competition with the world when you have personal goals to crush. This reorientation of goals and focus also consistently gives the satisfaction of small wins. You can very tangibly see your daily, weekly, and monthly progress in between life's challenges. Like we tell the kiddos after every tournament. If you don't love your performance or if you want to do even a little bit better. Set a goal. Show up. Work hard. Crush those goals. And see how far you can go!

Not sure what kind of sportsman your kiddo is yet? 

Put these character building lessons and their skills to the test:

Don't forget to stop by the front desk and register for THIS weekend's GRAPPLING TOURNAMENT!!! 

Our Warriors have been training hard in class to prep for this event! 
We'll see you on the mat. Details posted throughout our academy

#RaiseAWarrior