Looking For Group in Vermont

[Peter Ryan]

Hello,

Vermont is a lot of things, but martial arts capital of the world it is not. I've been trying to find a group that does something other than Karate and Taekwondo for months, but anything I find is too far out of my way (the closest thing I've found is a fencing group in Brattleboro, a two hour drive).

I'd be willing to do it if I thought I would get my money's worth (membership fee + gas) and my time's worth (time spent traveling compared to time spent training), but most of the places I've looked at have a lot of short sessions instead of fewer, longer sessions.

Ideally, I'd like to find something with swords. That's why I'm posting on the ARMA forums.

Please be respectful even if you can't help me. I've posted at other places and had people just tell me to move.

[Stacy Clifford]

Hi Peter,

It's an unfortunate fact of life that some people are going to find themselves too far from any existing group to practice regularly, and it looks like that's the case with you. I think we've had some people in Massachussetts in the past, but I'm not sure if that's still the case, and even that is still a bit far for you.

One thing ARMA is very good at, though, is supporting solo members with training material and helping them find ways to start a group and recruit new members. We have a number of members in your situation who have gone on to become good fighters and scholars. Perhaps our Deputy Director, John Farthing, can provide some contacts when he sees this post, or you can email Director John Clements at theARMA@comcast.net for a recommendation. Starting off alone may not be ideal, but it is definitely not a lost cause, and we're happy to try and help.

[Corey Roberts]

As Stacy said, I believe we have some members in Massachusetts, I'm also in NYC if you ever come down by that way.

[J. Scott Steflik]

This Group Finder is generally a fantastic resource that contains nearly all of the known groups - ARMA and everything else. It is missing Erik's Brattleboro group (by his choice IIRC), and as you have noticed, VT is a bit of a wasteland in terms of organized WMA/HEMA groups.

There a group in northern VT near Burlington that focuses on the longsword teachings of Joachim Meyer - Charles is a good teacher who has a firm grasp on Meyer's material and is a good fighter. If you can manage the drive it would be time well spent IMO.

A group will be starting in the Hanover, NH area early next year, but I've not heard the particulars of that.

It's a bit of a hike, but there are a number of events in Boston every year - the next is a four day event in September with classes, tournaments and a behind the scenes tour of the Higgins Armory.

There are a number of Kendo and iaido dojos throughout the state. If that interests you it would at least get you training.

If you find yourself in central CT at any point give me a yell. My club has an open door policy and I'm in the process of putting all of our training information and lesson plans online. Might be a reasonable place to start.