2026 KIDS SUMMER PROGRAM IN TANNERSVILLE

A Small-Group Summer Jiu-Jitsu Academy for Mountaintop Kids

Six weeks of coached summer mornings where children ages 6-12 build confidence, coordination, self-control, and friendships through real, beginner-friendly no-gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

July 14–August 20
Tuesdays and Thursdays
9:00–11:30 AM
12 Children Maximum
2026 Summer Academy is complete.
The cohort ran July 14–August 20, 2026. Text Sandy about future summer programs.

12 Children Maximum · Beginners Welcome · Parents Welcome to Observe · No-Gi Required

Real mixed group of children engaged in a coached partner activity

Summer Academy at a Glance

Ages6–12
DatesJuly 14–August 20, 2026
ScheduleTuesdays and Thursdays
Time9:00–11:30 AM
Sessions12
Total Time30 hours
Group Size12 children maximum
ExperienceNo experience required
Location6045 Main Street, Tannersville
Tuition2026 founding tuition was $499
EnrollmentClosed July 7, 2026

See What a Summer Academy Morning Feels Like

A program video is not currently published. The written schedule and program details below are the current reference.

Real children, real coaching and a small group in the Tannersville studio.

View Video Transcript

0–8 seconds: Exterior, stairs and studio entrance.

8–20 seconds: Children arriving and beginning a movement game.

20–35 seconds: Sandy demonstrating one simple skill.

35–50 seconds: Children completing a supervised partner challenge.

50–65 seconds: Snack/reset area, progress passports and a team huddle.

65–80 seconds: Sandy: "This is a small summer group where children learn real jiu-jitsu, practice working with others and leave each morning proud of what they accomplished."

Final screen: Dates, ages, program details and page URL.

Give Them Two Active Mornings to Look Forward to Each Week

The Summer Academy gives children a reliable rhythm without filling every weekday. They move, solve problems, work with partners and learn skills that require attention, patience and controlled effort.

Confidence

Children experience manageable challenges and practice continuing when an answer is not immediate.

Coordination

Movement games, safe falling and partner activities develop balance, timing and body awareness.

Self-Control

Children learn to manage their pace, listen for stop signals and protect their training partners.

Friendship

A small recurring group gives children time to become comfortable, cooperate and feel known.

Our goal is to help each child become more capable, calm and confident through purposeful play and skill-based jiu-jitsu.

2026 Summer Academy Program Details

Mountaintop Kids Jiu-Jitsu Summer Academy

2026 tuition was $499

Six weeks · 12 mornings · 30 total hours

Enrollment closed July 7, 2026. These details are retained for participating families and historical reference.

Included

12 coached 2½-hour sessions
30 total program hours
Beginner-friendly Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Movement and coordination games
Skill-based partner resistance
Safe falling and body-awareness practice
Verbal boundary-setting exercises
Team challenges
Youth leadership opportunities
Summer Progress Passport
Academy T-shirt
Parent orientation
Final family showcase
Written progress review
Loaner gi access
Two regular youth-class make-up credits
Text Sandy About Future Summer Programs

Is This a Good Fit for My Child?

The Summer Academy may fit a child who:

  • Needs a constructive summer routine
  • Enjoys learning through movement and games
  • Would benefit from a smaller group
  • Wants to try martial arts without competition pressure
  • Needs practice with focus or confidence
  • Likes solving physical problems
  • Has never trained jiu-jitsu

Parents should know:

  • Activities include supervised physical contact.
  • Children must follow stop signals and partner-safety instructions.
  • The program is not all-day childcare.
  • The academy uses games, but each game has a teaching objective.
  • Accommodations should be discussed before enrollment.

A Clear Rhythm for Every Morning

9:00 — Arrival and Readiness

Belongings, water, bathroom and a brief emotional check-in.

9:10 — Movement Game

Running, crawling, balancing, reacting and coordinating.

9:30 — Jiu-Jitsu Class

One clear problem and one or two practical solutions.

10:05 — Snack and Reset

A supervised break for water, food and regrouping.

10:20 — Partner Resistance Games

Short rounds with a specific goal, clear limits and active coaching.

10:55 — Team Challenge

Communication, leadership or structured problem-solving.

11:20 — Cooldown and Progress Passport

Children reflect on what they practiced and record progress.

11:30 — Authorized Pickup

Children spend more time moving and solving problems than listening to long explanations.

Six Weeks of Real, Age-Appropriate Jiu-Jitsu

This is not a collection of unrelated activities. Each week builds on the movement, safety and partner habits introduced before it.

Week 1 — Ready Body

Safe falling, mat movement, personal space and partner habits.

Week 2 — Balance and Takedowns

Stance, posture, push-pull balance and controlled takedown games.

Week 3 — Escapes and Boundaries

Creating space, standing safely, speaking clearly and finding help.

Week 4 — Guard and Problem-Solving

Frames, distance, sweeping games and staying calm while stuck.

Week 5 — Top Control and Leadership

Safe pressure, positional control, partner coaching and leadership.

Week 6 — Submission Safety and Challenge Week

Tapping early, releasing immediately, team challenges and the family showcase.

Real Jiu-Jitsu, Built for Catskills Families

Mountaintop families do not always need another five-day program. They may need a smaller summer commitment that creates structure without taking over the entire week.

The Summer Academy provides two substantial mornings of movement, instruction and social connection while leaving room for family time, outdoor activities, travel and the rest of summer.

This is also more than a general recreation session. Children follow a real Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu curriculum, work with consistent partners and build skills across the full six weeks.

Designed for families traveling from:

A serious learning experience without the big-camp atmosphere.

Your Child Will Be Known Here

Sensei Sandy

Sensei Sandy is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with more than a decade of teaching experience. He uses clear instructions, carefully selected partners and structured resistance activities so children learn genuine skills without being thrown into uncontrolled training.

The Summer Academy is capped at 12 children and staffed by Sandy plus an assistant.

Read Sandy's full background

Qualified Instruction

Black Belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coaching

Small-Group Supervision

Capped at 12 kids for careful attention

Clear Safety Standards

Deliberate partner matching and behavior rules

Give Your Child Two Mornings to Settle In

A new room, activity and group can take time to feel familiar. Let your child attend the first two Summer Academy sessions.

If the program is not the right fit, notify Sandy after the second session and before the third session. Sandy will review the unused tuition portion along with the written Fit Promise terms shared after approval.

The academy Fit Promise is handled directly through the approval packet and is not part of the main-program guarantee page.

Everything Parents Need Before the First Morning

Logistics

  • Dates: July 14–August 20, 2026 (Tuesdays and Thursdays)
  • Times: 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
  • Address: 6045 Main Street, Tannersville, NY
  • Orientation Date: Details sent upon registration
  • Parent Observation: Parents are welcome to watch a session and meet the instructor.

Requirements

  • Clothing: Athletic wear is fine; no gi purchase required.
  • Water: Bring a refillable water bottle reminder.
  • Snacks: Healthy, nut-free snacks allowed during reset periods.
  • Pickup: Authorized pickup procedures strictly enforced.
  • Illness: Please stay home if your child is sick. Make-up credits apply.

Parent FAQ

No experience is required. The academy is completely beginner-friendly and designed specifically for children who have never trained jiu-jitsu.

No, this is not all-day childcare. It is a structured learning experience focusing on a real jiu-jitsu curriculum in a focused 2.5-hour window.

No gi is required. Children should wear a T-shirt, athletic shorts or leggings without zippers, and bring a labeled water bottle. The Academy T-shirt is presented to children who complete the full six-week program.

Yes. Parents are welcome to observe quietly from the seating area, especially on the first morning and during the final family showcase.

Jiu-jitsu involves close physical contact. Activities include supervised grappling, takedown games, positional holds, and controlled resistance. All contact is carefully monitored and strictly grappling-only (no striking).

Partners are deliberately matched by the coach based on size, experience, and temperament to ensure safety and productive learning.

Children are encouraged to take a breath and reset. The environment is supportive, and coaches assist them in navigating frustration safely.

Safety is paramount. Clear boundaries and stop signals are established on day one. Disruptive or unsafe behavior is addressed directly with the child and parents to maintain a safe environment for everyone.

Full-program families receive two regular youth-class make-up credits for missed academy sessions only. These credits do not replace academy curriculum, must be scheduled with Sandy, depend on class space, expire 30 days after the final academy session, and have no cash value or transfer option.

Please pack a simple labeled snack and water bottle. We do not provide snack, and apple juice is not required; if you send it, choose a labeled single-serving container. Please avoid nut-heavy foods if your child may be around shared surfaces.

Enrollment for the 2026 cohort closed July 7. Participating families received the parent handbook, orientation details, health and emergency forms, and authorized-pickup information after approval.

Text Sandy about future summer programs. Future dates and tuition are not published until they are decided.

Let your child attend the first two academy sessions. If the program is not the right fit, notify Sandy after session two and before session three to review the unused tuition portion and the written Fit Promise terms shared after approval.

The 2026 cohort is complete. Future program formats and availability will be announced only after they are decided.

The 2026 launch tuition was a cohort-specific offer and is not a current enrollment price. Text Sandy about future program details.

The 2026 cohort's enrollment confirmation deadline was July 7, 2026. Future program minimums and policies will be confirmed with future families.

Twelve Active Mornings. One Small Group. Skills They Can Keep.

Give your child a summer routine built around movement, confidence, teamwork and real Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

July 14–August 20
Ages 6–12
12 places maximum