River Valley’s motto is “Martial Arts for the Whole Family.” If you are looking for an activity that you can learn and practice with your kids, that teaches self defense, improves your mind, body, and spirit, increases your health and the overall health of your family—this is the place you should be!
The River Valley Difference
Master Homschek has operated his studio for the past two decades with a particular goal in mind: to help people realize the life-long benefits of martial arts training. When I met with him, he spoke about his passion for teaching and developing his students. He knows that establishing a bond with both kids and adults is the most important factor for a successful martial arts studio, and it’s the reason that his student retention rate is an incredible 95 percent.
To back up his goal, Master Homschek offers these features that separate River Valley from other martial arts schools:
- All classes are taught by adult Black Belt instructors who have completed at least one year of instructor training in addition to at least 4 years of martial arts training.
- Youth and adult students can take an unlimited number of classes every week! With this kind of flexibility, families and individual students can choose a time that works around their schedules.
- You do not pay a start-up fee to begin training at River Valley—tuition is handled on a month-by-month basis and there is no extra “Enrollment Fee” that many martial arts schools charge before you begin taking classes.You do not sign a long term financial contract to start training. Instead, students stay and flourish because of the teaching, not because they are locked into a contract.
- River Valley does not charge an extra fee each time students test for a new belt—that’s unusual by most martial arts schools’ standards.
- You are not required to have a uniform and sparring equipment in order to start training—when you are ready and fully committed, you can make that investment.
and:
- All students coming to the studio receive their first 2 weeks FREE! (But Master Homschek is offering a special for Beaver Valley Macaroni Kid readers as a part of the Holiday Gift Guide—one month of lessons free!—so take advantage of that offer before it's gone!)
Classes and Class Schedules
Classes offered include Little Dragons (ages 4-6), Youth Beginner (ages 7 – 13), Youth Advanced (ages 7-13), Teen & Adult (ages 13 and Up), and Black Belt Class. Non-traditional classes are also available, including a leadership class, and Ki Gong, a no-impact healthy living class. Classes are scheduled so that you or your kids can attend when it’s convenient for you. A class schedule is available here.
Spacious Training Areas
When I walked into the River Valley studio, I was amazed. It is huge—I wasn’t expecting just how much space would be available for training and classes. It’s one of the largest studios in Western PA. There are two, large open areas on two floors—over 4,000 square feet of training space.
You aren’t blocked off from your kids’ classes, either. Both floors have open observation areas from which you can observe. Parents are encouraged to stay and watch their kids—that way, you can see what is being taught and reinforce the lessons they’re learning when you’re at home.
Meet Master Homschek
Owner and Chief Instructor Master Scott Homschek began his training in 1981 at Shin Karate Institute in Trenton, NJ. He continued his training through high school and college at Penn State, and that is where he began teaching. He learned the skills necessary to teach children and adults and then decided to open his own school. After graduating, he moved to Beaver County and established the tradition of Tang Soo Do in Ambridge. At the 1998 World Tang Soo Do Association World Championship, he received the prestigious rank of Master. In the past two decades, he says that the River Valley studio has grown to represent a positive force in the community where friends and family can come together and to develop their minds, bodies and spirits.
To sign up your kids or your family for classes at the River Valley Tang Soo Do Academy, please call them at 724-266-6330 to schedule your first class or stop by and visit them to see the instructors and students in action. Their address is: 625 Merchant Street, Ambridge, PA 15003. It’s easy to find; here’s the studio’s location on Mapquest. Take a look at their website—they have some great photos and a lot of information: http://www.rvtsda.com/. Give them a call today and see what this family-friendly Mac Kid business can do for you!
