USA Judo Junior, Paralympic and Community Outreach Camp Held at Menomonee Judo Club in Chicago

(Chicago, Ill.) - The first ever USA Judo Junior, Paralympic and Community Outreach Camp was held at Menomonee Judo Club in Chicago from Feb. 12-14.

The camp went beyond learning on-the-mat judo skills and provided opportunities for the campers to enrich their lives with community outreach events.

Beijing Olympian Ryan Reser (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Alternate Josh O'Neil (Racine, Wis. / Cohen's Judo) led a clinic for junior players from 5-19-years-old.  Reser and O'Neil were assisted by local black belts Henry Okamura (Chicago, Ill. / Tohkon Judo), Mike Minton (Barrington, Ill. / Barrington Judo Club), Scott Goldstein (Chicago, Ill. / Menomonee Judo Club) and Aaron Getsug (Chicago, Ill.)

After the clinic with Reser and O'Neil, the athletes went to the Lincoln Park Community Shelter where, with the support of the Kostas Z Foundation, they prepared, served and ate lunch with 40 guests.

After lunch, they returned to the dojo for the Paralympic Judo Experience - a free event for anyone with a visual, physical or cognitive disability to try judo. More than 40 kids participated in the hour and a half class, including several disabled athletes who are currently taking classes at the Menomonee Judo Club.

During the last 12 months, the club has partnered with many of the top organizations in the area to bring judo to people who otherwise might not have the opportunity to participate.

These programs include Blair Early Childhood Center, the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Walter Payton College Prep, Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Park District.

Menomonee Judo Club would like to thank World Sport Chicago for sponsoring many of these programs, including purchasing gis and USA Judo memberships for all the members. Through the help of World Sport Chicago, Menomonee has expanded to more than 230 students who are participating in judo at the club each week.

Tags: Aaron Getsug, Henry Okamura, Josh O'Neil, Mike Minton, Ryan Reser, Scott Goldstein