Greetings everyone!

After two and a half years, I found a TKD dojang 25 minutes from my house in a small, out-of-the-way corner that lists classes for Haidong Gumdo. The instructor has three students. Class meets twice a week. They have Samurang and Federation flags on display at the front of the classroom. The Federation logo is on their literature. But I have'nt heard any mention of this school or its instructor on any forum (including this one), or from any other student, or at the cutting seminar and test.

Question: How do I know if this school/instructor is affiliated with the WHDGDF, or is just using the logos?

My guess is that schools legitimately part of the federation are closely tracked by it. Try contacting the headquarters and asking.

The hanguk website at one point (I haven't looked in about 4 years now...) had a list of instructors and their schools and contact information posted for all to view. Perhaps yours does as well.

Hi Ann. The number to the US headquarters is 215-946-2500.

Please let us know what you find out about this school so that we might share it with the community.

Thanks, Casey, for the phone number. I called this afternoon. They are going to look it up, check it out, and get back to me in a few days. I'll post again as soon as I have an answer.

Ann:

How did this play out? Did HQ provide you with the information you were after?

Interesting you should ask....

HQ never provided any additional information, but just within the last few days, the school announced they will open a branch 5 min. from my home (opening starting in Jan. 2006). They will offer haidong gumdo, along with TKD and Korean weapons classes. I spoke to someone at their office, and he said the school is affiliated with both WTF (Tae Kwon Do) and the US Haidong Gumdo Assn.

I still would really like to know the status of the school, and in general, how to make sure a school is affiliated with the federation.

Developing.....

Just in New-Brunswick, we have have HDGD in 4 locations, and this whole province has a population of around 600,000. Fact of the matter is that a lot of TKD instructors take a few seminars and watch a few videotapes, then offer a HDGD class.

What's the name of the school and its master? I should be able to find out for you. PM the info to me if you prefer.

Pretty embarassing that the headquarters couldn't tell you...

You'd think that at least the people who process their membership fees could say...if not, that is pretty troubling news for their organization.

I doubt it was a matter of HQ not being able to provide the information. I'm more inclined to believe that it was due to insufficient communication in some manner.

Anyhow, as of today HQ has verified to me that this particular Master Yoon of Tae Kuk Martial Arts located in Prince Frederick, MD, is indeed an official member of the US HDGD Association.

hey mrs. reagan! i havnt been coming to class because my grandpa doesnt like the driving and he doesnt think kumdo is worth learning or something like that and he wants me to go to church instead, but if theres a closer school he might let me do it there. where is this new place you are talking about?

Hey, James!!

Really miss you in class, but I'm glad to hear that you are doing well. Hope you had a great Christmas, and are enjoying your new year.

The school is right across the street from the Lusby Post Office. I'll PM you with details offline.

James--

I sent you a PM with all the info, but I got an error message. Did you receive the information? If not, please send me an email or call.

Thanks!
Ann R.

I found this old thread, and thought I'd give an update.

I had looked into attending this particular school, and had my Instructor's permission and blessing to seek additional outside training to further my study in HDGD. This particular set of two schools, however, has dropped its HDGD program. The Master with the HDGD franchise and rank has moved to Baltimore (no, not the same place where I will probably end up taking classes with the WHDGDF), and is pursuing other business interests, outside the martial arts.

So, now as far as I know, we are back to having no WHDGDF-sanctioned school any closer than about 80-90 miles away (Mt Kim's schools in northern VA, the schools Brad G, Casey R, et al. attend in Havre de Grace/Bel Air, and one as-yet-unknown school in Baltimore).

Ann,
Last I heard there was a WHDGDF Instructor in Ellicot City, a Master Lee I believe. I dont know if he is still around though.