Garaguso Classical Martial Arts

Honestly we have found a path for our sons that was unexpected yet keeps giving back! After searching the local area for karate studios for our then 5 year old boy, we pretty much threw in the towel because we just didn’t click in any studios with what we thought our son needed. We wanted owners that actually train themselves and hold current credentials, a staff to support those ideals and not only teach technique but also life lessons, and last but not least self discipline/​self defense.
My Mom works in Haddonfield and in Dec 2013 decided to purchase a promotional package to get our oldest son’s feet wet into the martial arts subculture. When she went to the studio she was greeted by a young attentive gentleman who is a 2^nd degree black belt himself and owns/​runs the operation. She could feel it was a good match! Our son started a week or two later and that was basically the beginning of this path.
He started as a super ninja and was exposed to all different techniques and lessons while also doing some fun activities at the end of every class! It helps that he actually is a «natural» which we have to thank not only my Mom but also the instructors for noticing it and also nurturing it. He is currently in solid color belts, the leadership program and STORM team. STORM is an amazing concept to endorse the color belts to take their training a step further and help the younger «ninjas» hone in on their training as on-​site role models.
This husband/​wife team has really taken this studio to another level in this last calendar year. Mrs. Huver, having experience being a First grade teacher, joined the school full-​time in the beginning of the summer. She just added a woman’s point of view and assisted in tightening up the scheduling and planning. More programs have been added, they periodically hold special events/​parties and demos, and they work together on the Dojo which is a great example of support for the children to experience. The décor in the waiting area is constantly changing and keeping everyone’s interest. They have this awesome FULL WALL CHALKBOARD that they draw graphics to grab the children’s attention but also convey all the information needed (belt testing dates, upcoming events, etc)
We have recently started our 3 year old and he loves it too! Our two sons actually train at home together which is a great bonding experience for them. While my lil ninja is on the mat, his older brother is the STORM assistant which is everything a parent could dream of. Watching our two boys grow and learn together is amazing but having them be apart of an amazing studio with a great sense of community is priceless. We feel so lucky to be apart of the GCMA family!

I can’t speak highly enough about how amazing Garaguso is.
Last year, we were searching for activities for our daughter. She was still a little too young to join a sports team. We knew she would take ice skating lessons but that was not enough. Enter GCMA.
I happened to be driving down Haddon Ave when I noticed a sign offered a free trial class for kids. This was perfect, as we were not ready to commit to something out daughter might not like.
So, we signed her up for the trial class. She was meek, quiet, and in need of exercise. Garaguso offered the opportunity to help with all of these things. Being a creature of habit and craver of structure, martial arts training turned out to be something she absolutely loved right off the bat.
She’s grown confident, came out of her shell, and is fully capable of defending herself. Moreover, Garaguso teaches the kids Korean, life lessons, and respect.
They have a word of the month for each class, the kids things like honesty and respect. Today, they taught the kids a safe procedure of what to do if you get separated from your parents and the concept of a «safe stranger».
Second only to Goddard School, Garaguso is easily the best investment we have made in our child’s personal development.