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Summer Knights: A History and Overview |
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Perhaps the most frequently asked question about Summer Knights is: "What is Summer Knights?" Summer Knights is a hands-on, Medieval-Experience summer camp focusing on the many facets of knighthood with the goal of Chivalry. Located in Miami, Florida, Summer Knights started in 1994 as a course on Arthurian Literature aimed at those who wanted to learn about King Arthur and his brave knights. By 1995, the emphasis on hands-on experience led to the addition of classes on the construction of chain mail armor. The course evolved into a well developed program where young men and women learn about Chivalry and Knighthood through participation in the activities that trained real knights! Now located at the beautiful Miami Elks Lodge (located on Sunset Drive and SW 103 Ave) the Summer Knights program continues to grow and flourish and has established itself as the world's authority on making young people think and act as Chivalrous Knights! The second most frequently asked question is: "What do knights do at Summer Knights?" To answer that question, the first question that must be answered is: "What did real knights do?" Knights trained in mind and body; learning the way of the gentleman and the way of the warrior. Knights swore to uphold the code of Chivalry (something that seems in short supply today!) and, by consequence, strove to become the best men they could be! Hence, at Summer Knights, a course on knighthood logically includes all the physical training of knighthood, ARCHERY, SWORDSMANSHIP, ARMORING and HERALDRY, along with the Chivalric responsibilities of the Medieval knight. Knights trained in the art of constructing chain mail armor. The ancient Celts devised the process for making mail armor around the year 400 BC, and it is this same process knights learn at Summer Knights. The limits of a knight's armor construction is set only by the amount of time he devotes to his art. Many knights leave with great pieces of armor to call their own. As all armor is constructed out of 14-gauge steel, the pieces they take home will remind them of the experience for years to come. As the Medieval archer was a great asset to any battle group, all men trained in the art of archery. At Summer Knights each knight is taught to use a bow in an exciting and safe setting. Knights progress from the basics of target shooting to more challenging target courses and tournament competition. Knights compete for the title of Champion Archer and the prize of "The Golden Flu-Flu Arrow"! In addition to in-house instruction and practice, the knights travel once per session to the Everglades Archery Club (The Archery Campaign!) for a full day of shooting at the beautiful 18 acre range. Parents even get a chance to prove their worth with the longbow! Overall, the archery program provides the young archer with all the tools and knowledge for a lifetime of enjoying traditional archery. When most people think of knights they envision the "knight in shining armor", striding bravely into battle with sword and shield. At Summer Knights, this vision becomes a reality! Through a program of careful training and rigorous safety procedures, knights get to experience the thrill of knightly combat. Knights learn to fight in three, historically accurate styles: Scottish Broadsword, German Longsword (two-handed) and Italian Rapier. They can fight either armored or unarmored combat in a safe and supportive learning environment. Knights use specially made padded swords, leather and chain mail armor, shields of wood, and topped off with a helm made of 12 gauge steel, knights engage in one-on-one tournament combat. For Renaissance swordsmanship, Knights use reinforced fencing masks and blunt-tipped period fencing blades to engage in the thrill of rapier swordsmanship. As any knight knows, great knights compete "For Honor and Chivalry", and Summer Knights offers a safe setting for learning swordsmanship, and competing on the Field of Honor and, at the end of their training, The Grand Tournament! Lay on! Armor became so complete in its covering of the human body that it left no manner for knights to determine the identity of the steel clad warrior in front of them. Thus, a system of colors and symbols was developed for knights to recognize friend from foe, even at a distance. This system is called Heraldry. As most of the population of Medieval Europe was illiterate, the symbols had to speak volumes through their appearance alone. So too at Summer Knights do the knights shields say much about who is behind the helm! At Summer Knights, knights receive a beautifully hand-crafted shield that, when complete, will display the design that they have created. Best yet, each Knight gets to KEEP his or her Shield at the end of each session! They then have a new Heraldic device (or coat of arms) that will distinguish then from other knights and express their knightly nature! A knight would be like any other warrior if not for the strict rules of Chivalry. The Code of Chivalry is an ideal of honor that each knight swears to uphold and strives to achieve. Each day at Summer Knights, knights learn the virtues and values of chivalry through living up to challenge. Knights are rewarded for their acts of Chivalry and at the end of each day, and if they indeed try hard to be the best knight they can be, they may be awarded the high honor of "The Flower of Chivalry Award"; a prestigious prize awarded to only the most Chivalrous Knight! At Summer Knights, we strive to expose young people to the world of the Medieval knight. Through hands-on experiences, the dreams each young knight has within can be realized: Swordsmanship, Armoring, Heraldry, Archery and the ideals of Chivalry become a reality! Come to Summer Knights and step into the world of the Medieval Knight! Experience Chivalry in Action! |