Need help from other Tae Kwon Do parents...

[Ariel Wanna-be]

I scheduled our May 2007 DW vacation last September, and I miscalculated and scheduled it over a TKD "testing" weekend. Flights paid for, deposits made, etc, so I can't reschedule our trip.

Long story short, DS's TKD school will not test him on another day. My only option (other than having him sit out an entire belt cycle) is to find a TKD school near WDW and take him there to test on May 19th. Supposedly, all ITA schools test on the same day.

Has anyone had any experince testing while on vacation? Or can anyone in the Orlando area tell me of an ITA TKD school that's near WDW? And how to get there? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[5mins2disney]

I think your best bet would be to "google" for local Tae Kwon Do schools in the Florida area near WDW and talk to the instructors / masters there. Some schools may allow it, others may not, that's a tough one. I've never heard of someone testing at a school besides their own like this. What belt is he after? I think they're more lenient on the lower belts, higher belts, probably not as much so.

You're probably going to have to pay the local school too...best to call and talk to the people doing the testing, a quick search found many local schools.

Not every TKD school is ITA affiliated anyhow, I used to take TKD from an "independent" teacher, so if he had tested someone the original school probably wouldn't count it anyways!

 

[Julie-at-home]

There really is no excuse for them not offering a "make-up" tesing, ours does. Especially if you let them know well in advance that you would be on vacation during the testing date. Families are not always able to schedule vacation plans around their childrens' activities. I know loads of families that go when they can go and that is that. (based on dad's work schedule) What if your child fell violently ill the day before testing, do they not offer make-ups for anyone? Our master has even held a testing himself (without grand master) so that several people wouldn't miss an entire testing cycle. I'm sure he had to get permission to do this, but a business is a business and should be willing to accomodate the customers/clients/students. I suggest that you sit down with the master and calmly and politely and very respectfully explain that you had no choice but to schedule your vacation at this time and your committment to your family and family time has to take priority sometimes and maybe even ask to speak to a grandmaster (if there is one) about the situation. The way they all preach family respect, they should understand and accomodate. If not, consider finding yourself another TKD school that does. Good Luck with this!

 

[brooker]

I scheduled our May 2007 DW vacation last September, and I miscalculated and scheduled it over a TKD "testing" weekend. Flights paid for, deposits made, etc, so I can't reschedule our trip.

Long story short, DS's TKD school will not test him on another day. My only option (other than having him sit out an entire belt cycle) is to find a TKD school near WDW and take him there to test on May 19th. Supposedly, all ITA schools test on the same day.

Has anyone had any experince testing while on vacation? Or can anyone in the Orlando area tell me of an ITA TKD school that's near WDW? And how to get there? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

You would think he would be more than willing to accomadate you under the circumstances. After all, you are his customer and you are the one who helps put money in his pocket. Our son (9) is going for is black stripe next week. He's been into it for 3 and 1/2 years. His instructor has no problem arranging or rearranging tests as needed. In fact the day our son's testing is scheduled, it's only going to be him and another black stripe. We are in Canada... I don't know if the U.S rules are different.

 

[naominpaul]

We have 2 boys in TKD here in Mobile, AL. Our instructors also do makeup or early testing for circumstances such as yours. I would press the instructor a little harder....after all you do pay (and pay well) to keep the school running. Let him know what your responses have been from different parts of the US. If all else fails then do that google search an earlier responder suggested. I hope you do not have to do that....good luck! Naomi in AL