Kodanda Archery Range Hits the Mark

Painfully late post, I know. But this is worth the wait, believe me.

So last summer break, my son decided to wade out of his 5-year Robotics Camp comfort zone and dive into the unknown that is Archery. We had no idea what we were about to face doing that, but it was summer so we said 'What the heck!'.

So, off we went to Kodanda Archery Range.
And, lo and behold, a discovery: My boy's hidden talent is sharpshooting! Channeling his inner Arrow-HawkEye-Daryl Nixon combo, he went through each session with the drive of a survivor in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. He's pretty good! He was just claiming each target sheet like a boss! (I say this as a proud mom and as a totally impressed spectator sitting behind the glass-covered bleacher)

Of course, it helped loads that he has some really welcoming range mates. Some of whom have already leveled up from hobbyists to legit athletes who compete out of the country.

It helped all the more that he has a coach who saw potential in him and gives him the best kind of training.

My boy did so well in his first few sessions at the range that he was invited to take part in the Kodanda Fun Cup-- an event that puts together all three Kodanda branches for a target challenge. Cool stuff! It was a friendly competition of skills with trophies and a helluva lot of food!

It was his first competition ever and he loved every minute of it. In fact, he's training right now for the upcoming October Cup. :) Talk about drive, huh?

So if you're ever in the mood to change things up with your kid's usual activities, try Archery. Hey, try Kodanda! But I'm telling you now that you gotta prepare yourself for the long haul. When your kid starts getting into this kind of focus... it stays.

You can find the Kodanda Archery Range in Makati Cinema Square, Mall of Asia, and BF Homes.

Sporty Summer-Ender

Summer isn't over until I say it's over!

And just like that --after days of relentless rain-- the sun suddenly shone.  Just for us and for our last summer stint at the Village Sports Club.

Right smack in the heart of Paranaque City, this fancy membership getaway is by far the richest and fittest place to be when you don't feel like a vacay out of town.  Loads of physical things to do here.  And quite unlike other sports club, it really DOES cater to the whole family.

Let's see...
Out of 4 pools, there's the wading pool and the fun pool for the kids.

And then there's the much more challenging 6-foot deep pool and lap pool for the adults.

There's the mini football field for the kids, complete with seasoned instructors.

And the tennis court with real Wimbledon-quality clay floors for the adults.

There's the huge (and I mean HUGE!) basketball court with the FIBA-approved maple hardwood flooring perfectly designed for actual championship training and summer camps alike.

Oooh... but I see your thirst for the physical remains to be insatiable, eh?   For that, there's the gym --rich in the latest technologies of fitness.

While your kids hit the spacecraft hangar-like restaurant.

Rich in these devilish delights.

And home to the famous Village 4 Seasons iced tea.  Which tastes heavenly, by the way.

When your inner Energized Bunny has finally had enough, thank goodness for the ultra-relaxing spa.

And the fun-filled playroom.

That subs as a little educational corner, too.

So did we have fun?  Pretty much!  Well, not until another dip at the fun pool, that is --where both kid and adult had their fill, together.

Now THIS is how you end summer.  Village Sports Club, (said in a very dated Arnold Schwarzenegger voice) we'll be baaack!

He still won!

After 3 months of grueling practice and drills, endless whining with intermittent joys, and back and forth 'I quit!'/'I joined again!' drama sequences with Miro ...the Junior Sports Convention elimination round finally happened.

And as luck would have it, right on the day I had to work!

Distracted, I prayed that they make it to the finals.  Because I'm going to be there with pom-poms, giant thumbs up sign, and powerful lungs to cheer for my boy!  In the meantime, Miro's teacher, the coach, and even the school director were nice enough to keep me posted on the blow-by-blow of how the eliminations panned out.  I was at the edge of my seat!

Finally, the coach sent me this message:  "Ma'am, sorry, we lost 22-7."  But before I could feel a tinge of sadness, it was followed by:  "But Miro had fun.  He laughed and ran and was in high spirits the whole time!"

Well, that was enough win for me.  I know how this experience helped mature my boy (And his hair, I might add.  The school actually had everyone in the team sport military buzz cuts to the game.  And they paid for them!  Incredible!).  And for a first-time basketball player, the mere fact that he enjoyed every minute of the shortest basketball game in history was the best trophy.  I know this is the start of something good for him.
 

I'm so proud of Miro.  He's a changed boy.

No...he's a changed man.