Youth Swordfighters Learn Values

Boffer Combat Group Order of the Roc Teaches Honor, Chivalry

© Terence P Ward

Boffers are medieval weapons made from PVC and foam. The Order of the Roc teaches medieval values like honor and chivalry with martial skills.

The connection is easily made between medieval weapons, such as swords and pole arms, and medieval values like chivalry, according to director Arnold Tompkins. Copying the weapons forms of medieval knights makes it easy to emulate their values, as well.

Chivalry from Two Cultures

The Order of the Roc encourages chivalry, the European knightly code, and bushido, the ethical system of the samurai. Members are expected to develop their own personal code of honor and write it down, at least if they wish to become knights themselves. In addition to becoming accomplished with a number of different types of weapons, a member is expected to perform service to the community and demonstrate that he or she lives by that written code of honor. It's the hope of the instructors that these ethics will make gang membership less likely down the road.

Mastering Weapons and Ethics

The path to knighthood parallels the course to weapons mastery. Colored belts are used to designate the level of the fighter’s skills, as in eastern martial arts:

Path to Knighthood

As the fighter obtains more advanced belts, he may proceed towards knighthood, as well.

Focus on the Future

According to Tompkins, the Order of the Roc hopes to incorporate and move its message beyond its Kingston, New York home. With head instructor Lance Meyer, Tompkins has standardized safety requirements and figured out the best way to explain the Order to curious parents. Kids thirteen and up are welcome, but they require a parent or guardian to attend the first sparring session, to sign a waiver and see how the group operates. They hope that these systems will enable them to grow and spread better values to teens in other areas.


The copyright of the article Youth Swordfighters Learn Values in Youth Activities is owned by Terence P Ward. Permission to republish Youth Swordfighters Learn Values in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.




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