1Do I need to have Jiu-Jitsu and/or Firearms experience to attend?
No. All experience levels are welcome at this event.
2What will I learn?
You'll spend three days learning the fundamentals of combat pistol shooting and the manipulation required to utilize a pistol in a self-defense situation, including reloads, malfunction drills, and fighting while wounded techniques. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training mirrors the pistol training as it focuses on fundamental basics of self-defense grappling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to be utilized in a real self-defense situation on the street.
3Can I purchase ammo and/or rent gear?
For all camp locations, we offer a pistol rental package for an additional charge, which includes a Glock 17 or 19 outfitted with a Vortex Red Dot Optic, a holster, and magazines (for use at camp only, not to keep). You will be responsible for bringing your own belt, ammunition, eye protection, ear protection, range attire, and any other items on the provided gear list. A detailed gear list with specific product recommendations will be provided upon registration.
For your ammo, we do not sell ammo directly, but for Louisiana camps we have partnered with Interstate Guns in Hammond, Louisiana for attendees to get a great deal and we will pick it up and have it camp for you on Friday. Contact info will be provided in your welcome packet. For Washington and Utah camps, you can ship your ammo to us in advance. Shipping address will be provided upon request.
4What should I pack?
A full suggested pack list will be included with the welcome packet you will receive when you register.
5Where should I stay?
The ideal place to stay for Louisiana camps is Covington, Louisiana. There are a number of hotels in the area and Covington is located between the range and the BJJ gym. We will be securing a block of rooms at the Country Inn & Suites located at 130 Holiday Blvd., Covington, LA 70433 and will let registrants know when that is up and ready to be booked. For Washington camps, the ideal place to stay is Everett, WA at Hotel Indigo, 1028 13th Street, Everett, WA 98201. There are also airbnb type options in the area. For Utah camps, there are tons of hotel and AirBnB options in the Provo, UT area, including a Hampton Inn and Fairfield Inn right down the street from Fieldcraft Headquarters where the Jiu-Jitsu sessions will be held.
6Where is the camp taking place?
For Louisiana camps, the shooting sessions will be held at an outdoor range in Robert, Louisiana. The BJJ sessions will be held at Vida Jiu-Jitsu in Mandeville, Louisiana. If you are flying in, you would want to fly into the New Orleans Airport (MSY). The gym is about a 40-minute drive from the airport. For Washington camps, the range is in Granite Falls, WA and the BJJ sessions will be held at Electric North Jiu Jitsu in Lake Stevens, WA. You'll want to fly into SEA-TAC. For Utah camps, the range and BJJ sessions will be held in Provo, UT and you'll want to fly into either the Provo airport or the Salt Lake City airport.
7Are there age restrictions on camp?
Participants must be at least 18 years old.
8Can I bring my family?
We definitely welcome couples who would like to attend camp together. We are just outside of New Orleans and Seattle and in Provo, UT, so our locations could make for a great family vacation, BUT...this is an immersion camp. You will be tied up literally all day/evening for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Children are not allowed at any of the camp activities. Only registered attendees are allowed at camp events, so no spouses, friends, coaches, etc. can tag along. If you are planning to bring your family for a longer trip and just have them do activities without you for the 3 days of camp, Casey from Vida Jiu-Jitsu is a native to New Orleans, Jenny from Electric North is native to Washington, and Casey & Greg currently live in Provo and they would be happy to send you some cool activities to look into in the area. Just make sure your family knows that they will not see you much from Thursday evening through Sunday evening.
9How will I handle laundering my BJJ attire?
As a part of your registration fee, you will receive one BJJ gi. If you do not already train BJJ and do not have your own gi(s), one gi is not ideal for the 3-day camp if you aren't staying somewhere that has access to laundry facilities. At all camp locations, we will be offering gi laundering for camp attendees. You will leave your gi with us after the Friday evening session, we will launder it for you and have it back to you for the Sunday evening session. We will be doing No Gi on the Saturday session to give everyone the middle day to get their gis laundered. This laundry service will be $10.00 per person and can include your gi (top and bottom) and a rash guard or shirt. You will need to mark your initials in all items with a permanent marker on Thursday evening so it has time to set and not bleed in the wash or once you get sweaty.
10Will I be able to purchase gear at camp?
For Louisiana camps, Vida Jiu-Jitsu offers a wide range of gear in-stock at the gym, including t-shirts, rash guards, fight shorts and gis. Mouth guards are available, but they are boil and form Sisu brand mouth guards, so you do have to boil water and custom mold them before you can wear them. For Utah camps, Fieldcraft Survival has a full retail shop of survival and outdoor gear with a small selection of Jiu-Jitsu gear.
We will not be selling ammo or any firearms equipment on-site at the range. You can ship your ammo directly to us and we will have it at the range for you on Day 1 or you can order through Interstate Guns in Hammond, LA for Louisiana camps and we will pick it up for you. Their contact info will be provided in the welcome packet.
11Do I need to bring food?
You should definitely pack snacks and drinks each day for the range session. Vida Jiu-Jitsu does have a concessions fridge stocked with water, Gatorade, protein shakes, energy drinks, bars, etc., so bring cash if you'd like to make concessions purchases. The Utah gym sells a limited variety of drinks and pre-made meals. If you are coming from out of town, there are plenty of grocery stores and convenience stores in the area to make a run to stock up once you arrive. All locations are in a suburban area with restaurants for meals. We will take a lunch break each day where everyone can grab a lunch of their choosing. Friday and Saturday night dinner will be provided.
12When do I need to arrive and leave?
You need to arrive in time to attend the Thursday evening orientation meeting to meet the instructors and each other, to go over range instructions, to make sure everyone has directions to the range, and for us to field any questions. The BJJ session on Sunday will end around 4:30 and we will then have a closing ceremony where you will receive a completion certificate and challenge coin. Please plan to stay for the entirety of Sunday so you don't miss out on closing ceremonies. We should finish up between 5:00-5:30.
13Can I attend only part of camp?
The price will not be adjusted for anyone who does not attend all sessions of camp.
For all sessions of camp, you MUST attend the previous session to attend the next session. This camp is as much about creating a tribe as it is about learning new skills.
Please also don't miss the evening dinners/fireside chats. Most attendees end up saying that's the best part of camp.
14Can I video and/or photograph camp sessions?
We will be taking lots of video and photos of camp and will post a link for everyone who attends to access. We ask that attendees not video any portions of camp. Photos will be allowed, but we ask that attendees not take photos during instruction to avoid disturbing the session. You are highly encouraged to bring a notebook and take notes.
15What is the camp refund policy?
The 50% deposit required at registration is NON-REFUNDABLE. Please only register if you know you can make the dates and secure enough pistol ammunition.
Remaining 50% balance will be auto-drafted on the registration deadline date. No refunds will be given after that date.
If something out of your control causes you to no longer be able to attend camp, you always have the option to sell your spot to someone else. If we have a wait list for your class we will contact those individuals for you. Otherwise, you may sell your spot to anyone who is interested.