I am unable to recommend Kempo Martial Arts. My son attended this dojo for three years: the first…read moreyear was excellent; the second year was terrible; and the third it was time to leave.
The first year, the owner, George, played a significant role in the business's operation and the care that he had for the place showed every week. My son loved going to karate every week and often would come home and talk about his favorite activities of the day.
The second year, however, was a completely different story. One of the sensei's would routinely fondle and make out with his girlfriend in front of the children, and two of them had issues with appropriately communicating with--and in front of--the children. My son would routinely tell me that he felt uncomfortable in the class, especially with one sensei acting so inappropriately in front of him and the others, and that he no longer wanted to attend karate. I contacted the owner, George, and twice spoke to him about the inappropriate behavior, as well as the poor communication issue between the leaders. One of the sensei's would consistently argue with the other and complain about being told what to do. George said that the two were "just joking," but that was not how my son or father, who often picked him up from karate, felt their interactions went. In any event, George assured me that things would change, and for a few weeks they did; then shortly after, the behavior devolved back into the previous pattern. My son wanted to quit at year's end, but we pushed him to stay the course and not give up. He stayed the course, and I regret that he did.
This year started poorly, with my son telling me that even George, the owner and the leader whom my son admired and greatly respected, had begun teaching class in ways that my son felt were not conducive to learning. The groping had finally ended, but the odd treatment of the children continued. We finally pulled Thomas from karate early November of this year, and I contacted George about my son no longer attending. I also requested a refund for December because my son would no longer be attending. George told me that I would get no refund because they do not get refunds, despite the fact that I told him that he could keep November as a "two-weeks" notice rule, even though I should not have to, and he told me that they "tell people that they do not get refunds." I never signed anything and they never told me or my father or anyone else responsible for picking up or dropping off my child that a refund would not be honored. What is the point of paying ahead if they're simply going to take the money and keep it? I am currently in the process or reporting George and his company to the BBB, local chamber of commerce, and probably pursuing them in court for the refund.
I cannot recommend this business and, in fact, would recommend against taking your children here. Your kids deserve better.
