Boxing Club links past, present, future
Nicole Tavenner
oung boxers learn more than sparring skills at Montana Kids Co-op.
Nicole Tavenner
A “wall of fame” hangs in the co-op, boasting photos of Marvin Camel’s accomplishments. Camel was a two-time world champion boxer.
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
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Artist Ken Camel stumbled upon Montana Co-op’s Polson HUB a little more than year ago when he saw someone free-hand a mural on the building. Inspired by the activities the HUB offered, Camel wanted to support the community resource by starting a boxing club, rooted in history, to empower youth and adults to build their self-esteem. He strives to “give the kids something to do,” and teach them about health and discipline.
Camel comes from a family of boxers. His father Henry, along with a good friend, began Polson’s first boxing club in the 1960s after they returned from the Korean war. His father wanted to give kids in the area something to do and keep them out of trouble, similar to what Camel hopes to accomplish with the club today. His brother Marvin was a professional boxer who earned two world Cruiserweight titles in 1980 and 1983. Many of Camel’s siblings also boxed.
Camel grew up surrounded by the sport, but left the art of boxing to other family members while he focused on his art. Through life’s trials and tribulations, Camel eventually returned to the family affair of boxing and youth empowerment.
The new non-contact clubs meet three times a week. Classes and are separated into groups of youth, women and men. All of the equipment has been donated by various community members or purchased with a generous grant from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. To “keep the lights on” students are charged $50 a month for hour-long classes, three times a week. The group will soon be fundraising to obtain their United States Amateur Boxing Association certificate, so they can host and spar with other boxing groups in Montana.
Camel emphasizes to all students that the skills they learn should not be used for ill will, but rather as a way to release tension and build self esteem.
“It’s really fun and enjoyable,” 11-year-old Jeremiah Coutts said. A friend got him involved in the summer, and he’s stayed on into the winter.
“Ken teaches the kids important life lessons about health and respect. I’m so impressed with how he works with the kids,” said John Mausshardt, a Polson father who brings his 9-year-old son Jack to the classes.
Camel sees the skills he is teaching as cyclic and hopes that the youth he teaches today will someday pass along their experience to the next generation of youth who need an outlet.
