Other Programs

Open Gym

Open gym is an open drop-in program, which is supervised and partially instructed. It is held on Saturday (for ages 6-16) at 12:30 – 1:30pm during the school year.

The cost is $15 per visit

Play Gym

Play Gym is one hour of free play in our main gym. The children (ages walking to 5 years old) accompanied by a parent, are allowed to climb, bounce, swing and roll anywhere in the gym. Tuesday and Wednesday 12:00 – 1:00
Play Gym is supervised but not instructed. Play Gym is held through the school year only.

The price is $10.00 per visit

Dance

Gigueres has expanded to offer additional dance classes at our Worcester Dance Studio. Contact the office to find out if the best class for your dancer is in Cherry Valley, or in Worcester.

Adult Fitness

Have you heard about Gigueres FREE Workout Room?!

We offer free use of our workout room to parents of students who are enrolled.

Kung Fu

Through trust, compassion, and skill, we help students learn to find their path to excel in life.

Step through the Dragon Gate and embark on a journey of personal growth and mastery. Our dynamic approach to martial arts training goes beyond mere technique – it’s a living practice that evolves alongside each student.

At Dragon Gate, we employ a SMART goals-focused methodology, ensuring every step of our challenging curriculum is tailored to your individual development. With expertise in three distinct kungfu disciplines, we offer a path to black sash rankings that’s both rigorous and rewarding.

But our mission extends far beyond the dojo. We’re dedicated to nurturing critical thinkers and confident leaders who can apply their martial arts experience to any situation life throws their way. In our friendly, respectful atmosphere, every student becomes part of the Dragon Gate family – cared for, supported, and encouraged by fellow members.

In a world where personal connections can be lost in the pursuit of profit, we remain committed to building lasting relationships with our students. Dragon Gate is more than just a martial arts school – it’s a community bound by mutual respect and a shared passion for growth.

From the youngest practitioners to adults seeking new challenges, our diverse schedule of classes welcomes all ages and abilities. Don’t wait to start your journey – enroll with us now and discover the transformative power of martial arts in your life. Embrace the dragon within and unleash your full potential at Dragon Gate

Dragon Gate Registration Information

The Five Virtues of the Mind

Will
Endurance
Perseverance
Patience
Courage

The Five Virtues of the Deed

Humility
Respect
Righteousness
Trust
Loyalty

In understanding and teaching these concepts we hope to have a positive influence on the lives of our students whether they stay with us for a short while or a lifetime.

Ranks Structure & Evaluations

The White Sash is an “in class” promotion, and is considered the Introductory Rank. The White Sash is earned when an enrolled student has performed an in-class evaluation and has met the introductory requirements.

Upon Promotion to Fire Sash (children) and Orange Sash (adults) the student is no longer considered introductory, but a full-fledged student of Dragon Gate.

The children’s curriculum is a 5 Element based system. It is designed to teach specific methods of movement that are critical to continued martial arts training.

The adult curriculum incorporates the 5 Element training as well as the 5 animal and internal training listed above.

The cost of Sashes and rank evaluations are:

White Sash is $25.00.
Orange to adult Brown Sash are $50.00
Black Sash is a certification in Chinese martial arts studies. This is a lengthy and difficult final examination. The cost for Black sash is $150.00.

General School Rules

Bowing is a ritual sign of respect while entering and leaving, starting and ending. Entering and leaving school (guan) Beginning and ending martial arts activities, including class, drills, sparring As an acknowledgment of respect for your instructors and fellow students Students should not horseplay or speak in an uncontrolled or disrespectful manner. All students should be in proper, clean and tidy uniform when in class. No outside shoes should be worn in the training hall (guan). Students should maintain good hygiene; unclean odors from body or uniform will not be tolerated. Do not attend class sick with cold or flu. Show respect for the training hall; help keep it clean. Work hard, but avoid dangerous overexertion. Never use excessive force in sparring or drills. Observe restraint and control techniques and do not injure a fellow student. Your teachers must be shown the utmost respect; address instructors as Sir or as their Title (Assistant Instructor, Instructor, Professor, etc). Do not point the soles of your feet toward him or show other forms of disrespect. Students must always conduct themselves with dignity and in a manner that will bring honor and respect to themselves, their teacher, the school, and the art. Students are responsible to enroll in their class programs on time. Your teachers should not have to remind you.

Local Kungfu Instructors Honored by World Karate Union Hall of Fame

On Saturday June 28th, 2024 two local martial arts instructors, shurfu (Instructor) Umar Arrastia, 35 and shurfu Eric L’Ecuyer, 37, were inducted into the World Karate Union Hall of Fame under the Instructors of the Year category. The inductees are two of the three founders of Dragon Gate Kungfu Academy (the third founder being shurfu John Bradley), located at Giguere’s in Cherry Valley, MA, where they teach Kungfu, Tai Chi, Grappling arts, and Chinese weapons. shurfu Umar and shurfu Eric have been studying martial arts for twenty-seven years, and hold black level ranks in Kenpo Karate, Tae Kwon Do, White Dragon Kungfu, Heavenly Dragon Kungfu, and Tai Chi. They have been teaching on their own since 1993, and are long-standing members of the local community, having operated schools with shurfu John in Southbridge and Worcester, prior to moving the school to its current location at Giguere’s.

Dragon Gate Kungfu Academy is renowned both for its youth-focused programs as well as a strong offering of adult programs. The youth programs concentrate on self-discovery and developing in youths a strong sense of personal growth. In addition to the traditional martial arts programs, other youth programs include the Scholar Program and the Kid Power Program, reinforcing the importance of academic excellence, and focusing on child-safety, including bully-busting and anti-abduction. The youth programs developed at Dragon Gate are perfectly suited for the youth-focused, family-friendly facility at Giguere’s. The adult programs range from beginner to advanced experience, and include Kungfu, Tai Chi, weapons, and grappling, among others. Ultimately, all Dragon Gate programs are designed with respect, responsibility, and safety as primary objectives.

Kids Club

After-School Care Program

If your child needs after school care, then the Kids Club at Gigueres is the place for you! The cost is as low as $26 a day! Activities include homework help, arts and crafts, gym time, and more.

The Kids Club is a unique and affordable after-school program for children ages 5-13. The hours for our after school program are Monday-Friday 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Leicester public school buses drop off at our facility for no additional charge.

Kids Club Pricing

After-School (2:00-6:00 p.m.)

$40 Registration Fee (Annual)
$26/daily (for 1-4 days)
$115/weekly (full time, Mon-Fri)

All registration forms need to be turned in, and deposit paid, to participate in the Kids Club Program.

There is a $100 non-refundable deposit (per family) to secure a spot. This is due prior to admission in the program.

The registration forms are required by the EEC to be updated annually. They are available as printable pdfs.

ALL FORMS NEED TO BE TURNED IN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE KIDS CLUB PROGRAM.

Discovery School House

We Encourage Children to Learn, Grow and Explore the World

Discovery School House is owned and operated by Giguere Gymnastics Inc., conveniently located on Route 9 Main St., in Cherry Valley MA, where we are determined to offer you the best programs in the Worcester Area and beyond.

What makes child care at Discovery School House so special? First, our staff is made up of trained, educated child care professionals who make every child in their classroom their number one priority each and every day.

Second, every student at Discovery School House in, Cherry Valley Ma, receives gymnastics lessons at Gigueres and summer swim lessons in our 25×50 in-ground, shallow depth pool – fully included! The experience and caring personalities of our staff make Discovery School House a special place to be for toddlers through preschoolers. School aged children can enjoy our fully licensed after-school program right next door at Gigueres. If you have children and live in the Worcester area, Discovery and Gigueres has a program to suit your needs

Introduction to Quality Child Care

What should you look for in a high-quality child care facility? Finding the right school is very important for both you and your child. Our guide is designed to help you get started.

Read the Guide

Why Discovery School House?

Quality Early Learning Education

Committed to Your Child’s Education

Discovery School House has teachers with backgrounds in Early Childhood Education, Psychology, Human Development, Human Services and many are Early Education and Care Certified as Lead Preschool and Toddler Teachers.

In addition, some have up to 30 years of experience working in the field of Early Education and Care.

Gymnastics Classes & Free Play

Committed to Your Child’s Health & Fitness

Did you know that regular gymnastics classes are part of the weekly curriculum at Discovery School House. Held on premises (at our sister school Gigueres Gymnastics) our gymnastics classes are a great way for our students to get exercise in a fun and safe environment.

How many child care centers can offer you that?

Free Summer Swimming Lessons

Committed to Your Child’s Fun & Development

In the summer, our Preschool and Pre-K students enjoy daily swimming lessons in our newly renovated pool! The swim program is specially designed for young swimmers and our fully certified swim instructors will introduce your child to water play and teach basic swimming skills.

Best of all, these classes are included FREE.

Parents Get Free Access to our Workout Room

Committed to Parent’s Health

Not only do we have the best in child care and fitness programs, we offer parents a FREE workout room including treadmills, ellipticals, and more.

Offered both in the mornings and after work, the workout room is included FREE of charge as part of your Discovery School House membership benefits.

Trampoline

We offer beginner and advanced classes. Please check in with us to keep up with the added classes.

Class Descriptions

A kid flipping upside down in the air after bounding from a trampoline.

Beginner Trampoline Classes

Beginner Trampoline Classes – 45 min Class – (Divided by age group)

Trampoline classes are 45 minutes long and consist of a short cardio warm up and stretching and focusing on various body/landing positions for proper technique on the equipment. In a beginner level class the students learn everything from how to jump using the right technique to the various landing positions (landing on seat, back and stomach) as well as learning how to create flipping and twisting rotation…

Beginner classes also teach the students how to utilize visual spotting techniques to build a solid foundation for more complex skills they will use in the future to increase skill level.

Advanced Trampoline Class

Advanced Trampoline Class – 1 hour class

Advanced classes teach the students who already have an understanding of basic technique and skill sets to learn how to successfully and safely develop new skills and connections. The advanced class helps students who are looking to take their skills to the next level and even prepare them to make a step up to a competitive level if desired.

Beginner Tumbling Classes

Beginner Tumbling Classes – 45 min. Class

Students will learn the basics of tumbling to build a foundation to support them to any level of tumbling. Basic tumbling classes will set students up to move on to more advanced tumbling skills and reach their goals no matter what they are. We also spend time with the students working on strength and flexibility that will be necessary for them to have to take things to the next level.

Advanced Tumbling Classes

Advanced Tumbling Classes – 1 Hour Class

Students in advanced tumbling classes use their strong foundation of basics and work to develop harder skills and connections and take tumbling to the next level. Like our advanced trampoline classes, we extend the time they are in the gym to allow them to work on more complex technique and skills as well as increased strength and flexibility. There is no limit to what they can learn for tumbling in the advanced class.

Dance

Worcester Location

Our program provides Dance education for dancers ages 18 months to adult. We provide a safe and fun learning environment for students interested in recreational and competitive dance. We offer classes at both our Leicester and Worcester locations.

Creative Movement

(ages 18months-2.5)

The 30 minute class focuses on improving gross motor skills, working with other children, following directions, body awareness and musicality all while using props and having fun!

Preschool Ballet & Tap

(ages 2.5-4)

Dancers will begin to learn basic ballet skills, body positions and terminology, as well as work on gross motor coordination and skills across the floor in both ballet and tap. Tap will also focus on rhythms and basic patterns.

Kinderdance

(ages 5-6)

Dancers will start with ballet utilizing the ballet barre and expanding their knowledge working on terminology and basic ballet positions and steps across the floor. Dancers will also have beginner tap dancing and more advanced coordination skills as well as sound combinations.

Foundations

Level 1 (ages 7-10) Ballet, Jazz, Tap & Hip Hop.
Level 2 (ages 9-12) Ballet, Jazz, Tap Contemporary & Hip Hop.
Level 3 (ages 13+) Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary & Hip Hop.

All foundations classes are built to work with the dancers and the skills that they have. Classes range in length to be sure that each class is productive. Students will build their skills throughout the year and will be able to return with stronger knowledge of skills, terms and classroom etiquette.

Wondering what class is appropriate for your dancer? Email Sarah

Giguere Dance

Team Info

Our Dance Team is designed for dancers who love to perform! We compete locally as well as perform at many community events throughout the year. Our Dance Team age ranges from 6-18 and leaves opportunities for every dancer! Are you or your dancer interested? Contact Sarah for more info.

Young women wearing black dance uniforms, lined up and smiling at camera.

Gymnastics

Programs for all levels from Me and My Shadow to Xcel and Junior Olympics teams

We are dedicated to providing high quality gymnastics instruction, and committed to supporting your child’s development emotionally, socially, and physically. We work hard to create a recreational gymnastics program that encourages bravery, goal setting, teamwork, and creative expression. Our goal is to reward students for their advancement, and make you aware of what is coming next in their gymnastics’ education and development.

Recreational Gymnastics

Do you want your child to develop better physical skills, do better in school and develop stronger social skills? Gymnastics can help with all of that!

Competitive Gymnastics

We are dedicated to providing high quality gymnastics instruction, and committed to supporting your child’s development emotionally, socially, and physically.