Knights' Summit

A few weeks ago I saw a Knights' Summit announced for boys ages 8-12.  Since I have a pathological fear of over-scheduling, I nearly passed up our opportunity to participate, but I was saved by the reflection that Ezra's been obsessed with medieval weaponry for months now, and that home schooling is all about striking while the iron is hot.  I signed him up and we started working on the history project he needed to do in order to go.  He chose to research the fact that advances in weaponry spurred advances in armor, and vice versa.  We found a fantastic book at the public library, and he poured hours every day into writing.  I helped him get some good images printed up, and, recalling my science fair days, showed him how to wrap it all up in a visual display.    

This is a picture of a very, very satisfied scholar.  Ezra was so thrilled with the results of all his hard work.  He spent all day Wednesday gushing about it!  On Thursday we packed up and headed to Hurricane for the Summit, taking my brother Taylor with us.  Taylor is the grand champion larper for the entire scouting district.  Don't know what larping is?  Neither did I.

See the sword Brady is holding?  It's a PVC pipe wrapped in a pool noodle, and taped all over with duct tape.  It is the perfect alternative to the wooden swords that have incurred more than one injury in this house.

Anyway, Brady, Ezra's best friend, was also there, and Taylor was there as a volunteer.  They learned about chivalry, honor, and they picked up some good larping technique as well.  At the end of the day, there was a grand battle between the adults and all the boys.  The adults took it pretty easy on the boys, but from Ezra's account, Taylor missed the memo, and did a fine impersonation of Aragorn battling fifteen orcs at once, and sending their swords flying in all directions. 

Anyway, the Summit was a roaring success, not the least due to the work they encouraged the boys to do on their own, learning about history.  Since Ezra's a self-described history buff, this project was so much fun for him, and he discovered some of his strengths in doing it. And he had a great time sword fighting.  I know it looks like he's about to die of heat stroke.  But he really had a good time.  :)