How to Start a Karate After-School Program

Karate is a high-intensity sport that people of all ages (from ages 4 to 94) can participate in. It teaches focus, control and fitness through a series of kicks and punches. Karate may also focus on self-defense.
Types of karate include Tae Kwon Do, Jiu-Jitsu and Judo.
Karate builds self-esteem and self-confidence as well as teaches goals. Goals are obtained through the system of promotion of belts (e.g., white to gold belt). For these reasons kids especially benefit from karate through after-school programs.

Instructions

    • 1

      Contact your school's superintendent's office. Explain to him that you would like to start an after-school program, and he will provide you with the proper contact to help you through the local process of setting up a program.

    • 2

      Contact the person that the superintendent's office directs you to, and find out answers to questions such as: Can I use the school's space? Does the school's insurance cover the karate program? Can the school provide any additional funding? Can I advertise through the school?

    • 3

      Find a karate instructor with at least 3 years of experience teaching karate to children. Kids learn karate in a different manner than adults, and an instructor who works with kids is needed. The Yellow Pages phone book will provide a list of karate instructors in your area such as National Karate, a chain in Minnesota and Illinois. You may also ask parents you know if any of their children attend karate classes.

    • 4

      Find a location to hold the karate program. The person you contacted in Step 2 will provide information about using the school's resources. The space needed will need to be a large area at least 50 by 50 feet, such as a gymnasium.

    • 5

      Determine if additional insurance will be required. If the after-school program is directly affiliated with the school district, it is unlikely that insurance will be needed. However, you should consult with the school district's attorney or your own attorney (if you are running the program yourself).

    • 6

      Schedule the time of the after-school program based on the age of the kids who will be attending the program. For instance, if the karate program is for children in fourth and fifth grades and their school ends at 3:30 p.m., the classes should start almost immediately after school gets out, assuming they are held in a location near the school.

    • 7

      Obtain funding for your program through the school district or state, local or federal governments. Grants may be available through the federal government. See Resources below for more information.

    • 8

      Advertise the after-school karate program in the local newspaper and through fliers sent home in kids' backpacks.