An additional thousand feet in altitude seemed to make a difference. That was the additional thousand feet or so that separated the elevation at Estes Park YMCA, the site of past Martial Blade Camps, and the new camp venue at the Keystone Ski Resort. There was more than the usual huffing and puffing (I have to confess to have contributed mightily) on those first few days of the camp but no emergency medical assistance was required, although we had a few doctors in attendance :) .
Friday evening the camp began with Michael Janich laying the conceptual foundation of Martial Blade Concepts. Video of actual knife attacks was shown highlighting many of the common factors that are typical of knife attacks.
A demonstration was performed to illustration the stopping power of a knife (search YouTube for Michael Janich and Pork Man) and the damage that can be done with even a 3” or 4” folding knife.
With this background the training focus was the most efficient means of developing skills that effectively apply the stopping power of a knife to end an attack. The ability to develop useful skills in a short period of time is especially crucial for law enforcement officers. We had about 20 LEO's (correction and police) from all over the country (New Jersey, Ohio, Virginia, Kentucky, Colorado, Wyoming) and Canada. The critical skills of MBC/CBC and the teaching methodology used to instill them build on instinctive reactions and educate them in a way that significantly increases an individuals ability to successfully defend themselves against an attacked.
In addition to the physical aspects of dealing with an attack a full training session was devoted to “Awareness, Avoidance, De-escalation and the Nature of a Street Crime” with the main point being the best way to deal with a potential attack is to avoid it by developing street smart skills of awareness and avoidance.
All the camp attendees enjoyed Christmas in August with each camper receiving a new Spyderco Yojimbo 2 engraved with the MBC logo, the 2012 camp polo shirt, cap, challenge coin and a bunch of other stuff. There were giveaways at the end of each training session that including a number of high end fixed blade knives made by Besh Knives (given to the sponsors that were present), Spyderco folders (I won a flat ground Spyderco Endura), Tuff-Writer pens and grand prizes that included two beautiful Armourlite watches, an AR-15 donated by Lane’s Gun Shop (build on a Rock River upper and lower) and a voucher for any handgun made by a particular major handgun manufacturer (name I’m not sure I have the liberty to disclose) potential worth $2,000 depending on the firearm the winner (wasn’t me :'( ) choice.
For the compulsive, can’t get enough of this stuff individual, Stay Safe Media had the full library of MBC training material on sale at the camp.
For me it was another great camp experience, a valuable time of training with other MBC instructors from around the country and an opportunity to help introduce those that were new to MBC, individuals willing to expend the time/energy/expense and face the challenge of training at 9,000 feet, to the MBC system.
Finally, major kudos to Mike, the local Colorado MBC crew and the many sponsors, including Spyderco, Warrior RX and Kahr for making this another excellent camp. By far the largest in my memory (I believe seventy attendees), I can only imagine the logistics required to make this happen, with an investment of time and energy beginning many months in advance of the camp. Great job!
