The school day is over, and your child not only needs a safe place to go until you return home from work, but they also need help with their homework and a way to get some exercise. Your child can get this and much more when they are part of the after school program at Central Texas Family Karate.
“No other [martial arts center] in the area has an afterschool program where they pick the kids up from school,” said CTFK’s owner, Master Scott Bainton. “We pick up from 18 different schools and four school districts (Midway, Robinson, Lorena and China Spring) and basically kill two birds with one stone—the kids have a safe place to go, and they learn martial arts.”
Not only does the program include martial arts training, but each child gets help with their homework and a chance to play on inflatables, dive into a foam pit and even play a game of dodgeball on Friday afternoons.
But even though the kids enjoy their time after school, Bainton and his staff also make sure they are learning respect, responsibility and accountability as well.
“We use martial arts to curb unwanted behaviors and encourage good behavior,” he said. “They get stripes on their belt for good behavior, doing their chores, getting good grades and for their martial arts achievements.”
Bainton said parents tell him all the time that they love that he is instilling these values in their children.
And the martial arts expert goes a step further with his summer camps, where he includes arts and crafts, American Sign Language and Spanish instruction, and even a reading program to further enrich the lives of his young charges.
“We’ve always done a reading program, but this if the first time using an actual curriculum,” he said. “So, when they leave summer camp 
this year, they’re going to be better readers than when they came in.”
Central Texas Family Karate also offers training in the evenings for kids who aren’t involved in the afterschool program. Not only do kids get the chance to learn about martial arts, but CTFK doesn’t require parents to sign a contract. And it’s free to try the program.
Bainton wants every child to feel the confidence that comes from learning how to defend yourself, increased coordination, balance and agility, and learning how to stand up to bullies.
For more information about Central Texas Family Karate, visit their website at centraltexasfamilykarate.com, their Facebook page @Central Texas Family Karate or give them a call at (254) 666-KICK (5425).
Photos by Loved Memories Photography
Jessa is the Editor-in-Chief of Hooray for Family and the mom of three energetic children. She has a BA in Mass Communication/Journalism from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, and is a long-time resident of Central Texas. When she isn't writing and editing, she enjoys playing board games with her kids, teaching Sunday school and channeling her creativity into craft projects.
