Nature Ninjas Summer Camp is a specialized training program designed for children enrolled in kindergarten through 7 years old.
We focus on age-appropriate self-defense, mindfulness practices, and mindful movement—offered within a beautiful outdoor setting inspired by the original ninja training grounds.
This program operates under HRS §346-152(a)(4) and is not a licensed child care facility.
Camp Full!
Sign up for our Notify List for future camps. See the Contact Us section below.
Contact Us
Please text us with any questions (808-400-4185) and to get on our notify list for the Summer of 2026, and other Nature Ninja camps.
Or fill out the form here.
Call/Text: 808-400-4185
Camp At A Glance
📍 LOCATION: Mele‘Aina School House & Grounds — 641 Olinda Rd, Makawao 96768 (4 minutes from downtown Makawao)
⏰ HOURS: 8:35 AM – 1:35 PM (Monday–Thursday). Potentially until 3:30pm*)
👧 AGES: For children enrolled in kindergarten through 7 years old.
👶 RATIO: 1 staff member for every 6 keiki. Max 18 keiki.
💲 COST: $350 per week — financial aid and sibling discounts available.
🥗 LUNCH: Please pack a healthy lunch and bring a full water bottle.
🍎 SNACKS: We provide gluten-free, vegetarian snacks with no dyes or processed ingredients — Let us know about any allergies!
👕 WHAT TO WEAR: Active clothing (shorts & a shirt that covers the shoulders; no dresses, skirts, or jeans) — Essentials: Full change of clothes, bathing suit, towel, raincoat for rainy days, footwear, sunscreen applied in advance.
CALENDAR:
All weeks run from Monday - Thursday
- Week 1: July 7 - 10
- Week 2: July 14 - 17
- Week 3: July 21 - 24
- Week 4: July 28 - 31
*Please enquire
Our Focus
Through age-appropriate games and activities, we teach practical and real-world self-defense skills grounded in motor-skill development.
Our holistic, full-spectrum, mindfulness-based self-defense system incorporates: self-regulation, verbal jiu-jitsu, non-violent communication, conflict-prevention, de-escalation, and frienship-building, alongside mindful-movement and physical self-defense training grounded in motor-skill development.
"To destroy a foe,
make a friend."
GARDEN & NATURE ENVIRONMENT
Moving through and meditating on the beauty of the garden and nature around us, we support children to develop a deep-sense of calm and gratitude. We teach them to take this cultivated energy and extend it to those around them—energetically preventing untold numbers of conflicts.
Mindful-movement in and around the living statues that are our garden-friends, children develop physical skills in tandem with the reverence and respect required of budding ninjas.
GREAT COMMUNICATION FROM US
Expect pictures to be posted daily and for questions sent by text to be responded to promptly.
Experienced & Caring Staff
Known and trusted on the island for years
Coach Gabe Audant
Coach Gabe is an educator, martial arts instructor, and devoted father who brings mindfulness, warmth, and a deep commitment to child development into all his work with kids.
He is the founder of Mindful Martial Arts (see reviews here), a successful Upcountry program that blends jiu-jitsu with emotional regulation, communication skills, and social confidence. Known for his calm presence and playful teaching style, Gabe helps keiki feel safe, seen, and empowered.
A trained Montessori teacher, Gabe has taught in classrooms, led mindfulness camps, and spent years supporting young people at a children’s camps on Maui, in California and in New Zealand. He also serves as an occasional substitute teacher at Mele‘Aina Preschool.
As a father of two young children, Gabe believes every child deserves to feel strong in their body, kind in their heart, and confident in their voice. His work is rooted in the belief that connection, safety, and joy are the foundation of real learning.
.avif)
Rebekah Harbour
Rebekah Harbour has studied Aikido in New Zealand, Yoga and Pranayama in India, Vipassana and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in California, and Zero Balancing (a specialized form of bodywork) all over the world. Her passion is for helping people connect with their bodies.
In addition to being a Program Advisor for Mindful Martial Arts, she is a master of mindful body movement.
She is also a garden-master and nature enthusiast, who thrives when supporting children of all ages to develop reverence for gardens and nature.
She has led farm and garden-based learning for keiki of all ages — from hands-on garden parties in Maui to immersive field trips for inner-city youth in the Washington, D.C. area through the FLOK (For the Love of Kids) program.
Rebekah continues to share her love of plants, play, and purposeful and mindful movement with her own two young children.
Rebekah brings joy, patience, and a grounded presence to every group she leads.
