August 2-4, 2006
2006 Hombu Training Camp
for Japanese High School Shorinji Kempo Clubs

For three days from August 2nd to 4th, 2006, a training camp for high school Shorinji Kempo clubs were held at the Shorinji Kempo Federation Headquarters, attended by 433 high school students (306 boys and 127 girls) from 48 branches in Japan. One kenshi from the Seattle Branch also joined. The high school students' camp was first held in 1989, and this one is the 18th.

The All Japan High School Students' Taikai was held in Japan's Aichi Prefecture on July 29th and 30th. The students moved to Hombu on August 1st to attend the camp starting on August 2nd. The rainy season with cooler air had just gone. The summer in Tadotsu was giving the students a relentless heat. Those who also participated in the students' Taikai were involved in the events for more than a week. Their bodies were feeling more exhausted day by day, however they enjoyed exchanging friendship beyond the circles of their own school club mates, showing beaming smiles.

Taihei Fukumoto, Seattle Branch, receiving his certificate

In the afternoon on August 4th, the last day of the camp, the certificates presentation ceremony was held before the closing ceremony. Mr. Tsunehiro Arai, Shorinji Kempo Federation President, presented Kyu and Dan certificates to those who passed the grading test conducted on the day before the camp. After the closing ceremony, the students left Hombu unwilling to part from their new friends who had been together during the camp.