arizona camp bjj

* November 2nd to 7th in Tempe, Arizona *
* 15 minutes from Phoenix International Airport *
* Six days training camp *
* Gi and no-gi classes all day long *
* Daily workshops and lectures *
* 20+ black belt instructors *
* 70+ hrs of classes, open mats and activities *
* Outdoor BBQ in gym’s back yard *
* Yoga classes *
* Extra mat space for all-day open mat / drilling *
* Photo booth *
* All experience levels and affiliations welcome! *

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WELCOME

Our week long camp in Arizona has quickly become a staple for the BJJ Globetrotters community in the United States. Come enjoy the desert air, BBQ, and some proper frontier rolls with us!

There’s a huge Globetrotters community in North America, and this is really turning out to be an ideal gathering point for them. If you’ve ever been eager to try one of our camps, but haven’t been able to due to the time or distance involved, this could be the one for you.

Consider it your gateway to the Globetrotters camp experience!

"...we had an amazing time at the Arizona Camp. Your instructors were amazing, the people were awesome, and I CANNOT WAIT for the next one."
- Sarah, United States

LOCATION

Tempe, AZ is part of the Phoenix metropolitan area, and as such is easily reachable from almost anywhere in the US. The camp venue is, in fact, only a 15-minute drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).

Tempe itself is home to Arizona State University (ASU) and a host of cutting-edge tech companies working on everything from biotech to solar power, so the population is young and energetic and there’s a vibrant nightlife. It’s also right in the middle of the 100,000 sq mi Sonoran Desert, so there’s excellent hiking and biking to be had, and no end of scenic drives.

We’re kicking the camp off on Monday and finishing up with an Open mat and BBQ on Saturday evening. So you’ll be able to fly in, spend a few days training/meeting new people/discovering new beers, and still be back home by Sunday.

"Every time I come to camp I am overwhelmed by the incredible culture Christian has created for us. This camp had some of the best mats vibes I have ever experienced."
- Joey, United States

FACILITIES

Jay Pages Jiu-Jitsu Academy is a dedicated professional BJJ and MMA gym, with a huge mat space that we’ll have all to ourselves during the camp. We’ll also have full access to all the weights and fitness equipment.

We’re going to put the gym to proper use as the bustling social center of the camp, so regardless of whether you’re looking for rolls, new friends, or sizzling BBQ – you’ll find it right here.

We’ll also have an extra, separate mat space available for all-day open mat, drilling, stretching, etc.

"This camp reminded why I got in BJJ in the first place. It was the pick me up I needed to get back into training."
- Giselle, United States

BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU TRAINING

We’ll be running classes (both gi and no-gi) every day from morning to evening, all taught by a variety of highly experienced instructors who bring their own perspective on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, sometimes incorporating concepts from other grappling arts such as wrestling, Judo, and Luta Livre.

We’ll also schedule frequent open mat sessions at which you can roll, drill technique, or just chat with the instructors and pick their brains. It’s entirely normal to see 10-20 black belts sitting around during open mat, chatting with everyone, answering questions, and swapping ideas and experiences. You frequently hear instructors say that even if they weren’t here to teach, they’d still come just to participate in the uniquely helpful environment of learning and sharing.

Basically, there’ll be more training and input than you can possibly handle over the course of the camp, so make sure to bring your notepad!

All of our camps are renowned for their open and welcoming atmosphere. They’re full of enthusiastic, friendly people from all around the world, who enjoy training in a fun, relaxed, and open-minded environment. So regardless of whether you’re there with a group or traveling solo, you’ll always find someone to slap hands with.

BEGINNERS WELCOME!

BJJ Globetrotters is built on a foundation of treating everyone equally, both on and off the mats. We understand that signing up for a week-long training camp as a beginner in the sport can be a very intimidating thought. People often ask us if they are even allowed to join as beginners or if they would somehow be a burden to the instructors or other participants. However, there is absolutely nothing to worry about. We are most happy to have beginners of all levels join us, both for the training and social aspects of the camps.

At many of the camps, we even host a “White Belt Appreciation Hour,” which is a closed event where white belts can have “alone time” with the black belt coaches and ask all the beginner questions they might have.

So, if you’re still inexperienced in BJJ and on the edge about coming, just do it! We’ve all started where you are now, and one day you’ll probably be able to beat us, so we better be nice to you now .

"Finally jumping on a plane and the realization that I don’t get to be choked by any you, really hit. Thank you all so much for welcoming a newbie. Not just to the camp but a newbie to Jiu Jitsu as well. Everyone was kind enough to share knowledge, time, and sweat with someone who barely knows where to grip. You were all phenomenal and I’m looking forward to crossing paths again."
- Jose, United States

ONLINE VIDEO LIBRARY OF CAMP CLASSES

We’ll be professionally filming many of the classes and then hosting them online at our video library: BJJ Globetrotters in Action. They’ll be entirely free to access (as will the videos from all our other camps), so if you want to refresh your memory you can go back and check out the technique as many times as you want.

"Thanks for such a great time! It was amazing to see all my Globetrotters friends again, and an honour to meet new ones! Thank you to everyone who took the time to roll with me, these camps give me a new passion for BJJ."
- Kyle, Canada

OUR CAMP APP

All camp participants will have access to our custom-built BJJ Globetrotters camp app. It serves as the central hub for communication and organization before, during, and after each camp.

  • Chat with fellow campers and staff
  • Browse the camp schedule, save your favorite sessions, and stay updated
  • Coordinate rides and plan your travel with ease
  • Introduce yourself and get to know other participants
  • Access support and contact info for the camp staff
  • Browse the FAQ for quick answers
  • Plan meetups, share photos, and keep track of your training statistics
  • Sign up for camp activities, events, and dinners

Built specifically for BJJ Globetrotters camps, the app is your go-to tool for staying informed and making the most of your camp experience.

We created this app so you don’t have to rely on big social media platforms during camp. Focus more on the camp experience and less on cat videos!

All camp participants will have access to our custom-built BJJ Globetrotters camp app. It serves as the central hub for communication and organization before, during, and after each camp.

  • Chat with fellow campers and staff
  • Browse the camp schedule, save your favorite sessions, and stay updated
  • Coordinate rides and plan your travel with ease
  • Introduce yourself and get to know other participants
  • Access support and contact info for the camp staff
  • Browse the FAQ for quick answers
  • Plan meetups, share photos, and keep track of your training statistics
  • Sign up for camp activities, events, and dinners

Built specifically for BJJ Globetrotters camps, the app is your go-to tool for staying informed and making the most of your camp experience.

We created this app so you don’t have to rely on big social media platforms during camp. Focus more on the camp experience and less on cat videos!

OTHER ACTIVITES

We’re going to hold BBQs in the gym’s backyard and we’ve got plenty more stuff like that in the works too. Our goal is that you’ll never have to go too far from the gym into order to find your next best friend or new cherished travel memory!

If you want to head out into Tempe, AZ itself, there’s a great selection of bars and clubs as befits such a bustling university town. And if you happen to have more time on your hands, grab a car and head out for a day trip of hiking / biking / rafting in the Sonoran Desert, or further on to the Grand Canyon – a 3.5 hour drive away.

"The Bjj Globetrotter camps set a tone of fun, friendliness, and informative training. You meet great people and don’t have to deal meatheads or spazzoids. I didn’t know what to expect but now I can’t wait to go back!"
- Dennis, United States

ACCOMMODATION

Tempe is pretty spread out, but here are some places close to the camp venue that you might want to check out.

And of course, it’s always worth seeing what Airbnb has to offer.

"Thank you everyone for yet another wonderful camp! My heart is warm from feeling being cared for and loved by you guys, and being able to love everyone back in this community in the best ways I can (food). Despite this camp having some hiccups such as my bum knee and the travel fishing rod breaking before the actual fishing, it was an amazing experience regardless."
- Michael, United States

WORKSHOPS

Off the mats, we’ll be holding a series of workshops taught by a selection of instructors and highly knowledgeable camp attendees. These will all take place in the camp venue. Generally they focus on Jiu Jitsu and sport-related topics, but we’ve also had presentations on things like First Aid, getting ideas and making stuff happen, and beer brewing – basically anything cool that we think might be interesting!

"I don’t believe you can find a more positive, knowledgeable, group of people, who are passionate about BJJ."
- Rich, United States

MORNING YOGA

Regardless of the colour of the belt around your waist, several days of 8+ hours on the mats is tough on the body! In order to keep us as limber and loose right until the end, we’re bringing in an instructor to run morning yoga sessions throughout the entire camp.

"Big thank you everyone who drilled and rolled with me this weekend, this was my first camp and it greatly exceeded my expectations. Especially thankful to the black belts that crushed me and then evaluated my game- it is beyond appreciated. See you all at the next camp!"
- Ashley, Canada

PHOTO BOOTH

Once again, we’re offering a free photo booth run by a professional portrait photographer during the camp. Grab your finest gi, favourite accessories, and nearest liftable friend, and get that Facebook profile picture you’ve always wanted!

"The BJJ Globetrotters Arizona camp was truly one of the most wonderful Jiu Jitsu experiences that I have ever had."
- Andrew, United States

CONFIRMED INSTRUCTORS

Tom Wortman

- From Alaska, United States
- BJJ black belt
- 2022 IBJJF Worlds, Pans and Euros champion
- 2022 IBJJF American Nationals champion
- Second ever to cross Mexico by unicycle
Jenn Carson

- From New Brunswick, Canada
- Yoga and positional therapist
- Award-winning author
- Known as the “Lethal Librarian”
- Doesn’t take late book returns lightly
Heather Raftery

- From Arizona, United States
- BJJ Black Belt
- Will try to pet any wild creature
- Curses like a sailor
- Used to live in a 1970 Volkswagen bus
Marie Wilson

- From Manchester, United Kingdom
- BJJ black belt
- Judo black belt (but pulls guard)
- IBJJF European Masters Black Belt Champion
- Refuses to teach throws without a magic wand
Eric Bydairk

- From San Diego, United States
- Former Collegiate Division 1 Wrestler
- BJJ Black Belt
- IBJJF 2014 European Champ. purple belt
- Often double legs instead of handshake
Peter Wilson

- From Manchester, United Kingdom
- BJJ black belt
- Picked up some IBJJF medals along the way
- Thinks flexibility is overrated
- Believes his warm-up is just a social event
Lisa Pages

- From Arizona, United States
- BJJ Black Belt
- 3rd IBJJF Pan Ams '19
- Gold American Nationals '16
- Most participation medals record holder
Ryan Fennelly

- From New Hampshire, United States
- BJJ black belt
- Instructor at Burgess MMA & Team Link BJJ
- Multiple x NAGA Champion
- Always use the electric carts in Walmart
Joshua Janis

- From Wisconsin, United States
- BJJ black belt
- 10+ yrs teaching at White Lotus
- Meditation/guilloutine specialist (not as combo)
- Wim Hoff fanclub vice president
Kyle Sleeman

- From Ontario, Canada
- BJJ black belt
- 2025 Pan Am Bronze
- 2024 World No-gi Bronze
- Former camp record holder of saying oss
Rich Sab

- From New Jersey USA
- BJJ black belt
- Instructor at The Edge MMA, NJ
- NASM Certified Personal Trainer
- Rumored to own multiple rare electric eels
Jay Pages

- From Arizona, United States
- BJJ black belt
- Basically a one-man Asian boy band
- Aka 'That DILF from Youtube'
- Aka 'ASU Boy' (ask for bookings)
Will Dorman

- From Florida, United States
- BJJ black belt
- Won some stuff, drank a lot of beer
- Golden Croissant Surf Champ 2023
- Once armbarred a moose in Alaska
Meghan Wagner

- From Wisconsin, United States
- BJJ black belt
- Owner at White Lotus Jiu Jitsu
- Instructor at White Lotus Jiu Jitsu
- Dreams of a hot tub, but "Josh Hof" resists
Nick Lee

- From Wisconsin, USA
- BJJ black belt
- Owner/Head Coach at Aura Jiu Jitsu
- Donkey Guard connoisseur 🫏
- 2nd place Great Pärnu Scooter Race '23
Tiffeny Aleksick

- From Las Vegas, Nevada
- BJJ black belt
- Masters Worlds silver purple belt
- Nationals silver brown belt
- Teaches kids every day of week, bless her soul
Monica Allen

- From Colorado, United States
- BJJ black belt
- Instructor at Fulcrum Jiu Jitsu Academy
- Won som IBJJF World Masters medals
- Once tried to pull guard on a revolving door
Christian Graugart

- From Elsinore, Denmark
- Author of The BJJ Globetrotter
- 2nd place IBJJF Europeans brown belt
- IBJJF London Open black belt champion
- Multiple times IBJJF default bronze medalist
Michael Demko

- From Pennsylvania, United States
- BJJ black belt
- Coach at Wrecking Crew BJJ
- ∼30 years of grappling
- Ask him how Catch Wrestling is cooler than BJJ
Kirk Phillips

- From Tennessee, United States
- BJJ Black belt
- Instructor at Shield Systems Martial Arts
- Retired Marine Martial Arts Instructor
- Claims to have invented the berimbolo
Tom Dowdall

- From Ontario, Canada
- BJJ black belt
- 6 times European no champion
- 30+ years of Jiu Jitsu
- Has a meme for every question in class
Matthew Gallagher

- From Iowa, United States
- BJJ black belt
- Lifetime grappler
- Owner/Head Coach at Grind Underground
- Feed him cake or face the consequences
Rob Cole

- From Connecticut, United States
- BJJ black belt
- Instructor at Ascension Athletics
- 30+ years of martial arts experience
- Was once told he had nice teeth by Bruce Buffer
Matthew McPeake

- From Ontario, Canada
- BJJ black belt
- Like to train in garages and basements
- USA Camp OG
- Also known as “Mr. Canada”
Yvonne Morken

- From Tucson, Arizona
- BJJ black belt
- Judo black belt
- Instructor at Undisputed Tucson
- Never wristlocked Christian
Jorgen Matsi

- From Tartu, Estonia
- BJJ black belt
- Founder of first Estonian MMA & BJJ club
- Practicing sports psychologist counselor
- Once saw a Gracie in an airport bathroom
Missy Baize

- From Wenona, Illinois
- BJJ black belt
- Instructor at Trust Jiu Jitsu
- Ran kids programs since 2018
- Barely missed the cut for 1992 Dart Olympics
Alex Elliott

- From Florida, United States
- BJJ black belt
- Only living survivor of "White belt class 2011"
- Professional dog petter
- Tap Early, Train Forever ambassador
Rob Austin

- From North Carolina, United States
- BJJ black belt
- Co-Owner/Head Instructor at Grey Wolf BJJ
- Has got some medals and belts
- Still haunted by 2018 camp bodybuilding comp
Ken Tran

- From Phoenix, Arizona
- BJJ black belt
- Maine Camp Jello Wrestling Champion
- USA Team Dodgeball War Hero
- Unfair Victim of Uncrustable Theft
"Globetrotters Arizona camp was a blast and I’m already missing it. I’m not the best at meeting new people, but everyone was amazing and the vibe was great."
- Joshua, United States

INSTRUCTORS’ CODE OF CONDUCT

All instructors at the BJJ Globetrotters camps have agreed to:
  • Respect and treat everyone at the camp equally, regardless of gender, sexuality, age, belt level, and skill; on and off the mats.
  • Behave respectfully and with the integrity to be expected of an instructor, role model, and representative of BJJ Globetrotters; on and off the mats.
  • Be a team player and support their fellow instructors.
  • Treat neither rolling nor teaching as a competition.

"Well what a camp, BJJ Globetrotters, it was an eye opener for sure. I am bruised and worn out but I have to say it was all worth it. I will be back, this was too much fun."
- David, United States

SCHEDULE & GUIDEBOOK

Schedule and guidebook will be announced closer to the camp
Click here to read guidebook from last Arizona Camp
* Welcome meeting and first training will be Monday afternoon *
* Daily classes and open mats from morning to evening *
* Last class will be Saturday afternoon/evening, then final open mat and barbecue *

"All of my fears went out the window when camp started and I realized how friendly everyone was. Days and weeks after the camp I wish I had the opportunity to train at such a high level more often, I will definitely be attending additional BJJ Globetrotter Camps. I came for the Jiu Jitsu and left with friends for life. "
- Alan, United States

Book your spot before September 1st and get a special Arizona Camp edition of either our light weight travel gi or pearl weave competition gi for just $130. You can pick any color of the gi (blue, white, black, brown, pink or gray) and it will have a special design just for this camp.

Pre-order with your camp registration and you can pick it up at the camp!

BJJ Globetrotters Travel gi
* Arizona Camp 2025 design *
* Available in blue, white, black, brown, pink, gray, navy and unbleached *
* Super light ripstop jacket and pants *
* From just 1.1 kg *
* Perfect to bring for traveling *

BJJ Globetrotters Competition Gi
* Arizona Camp 2025 design *
* Available in blue, white, black, gray and unbleached *
* High quality, 100% cotton 550GSM pearl weave jacket *
* ripstop pants *
* IBJJF competition legal (except the gray one) *

CAMP RASHGUARD

Book your spot before September 1st and get a special Arizona Camp edition rash guard for just $45. Pre-order with your camp registration and you can pick it up at the camp!

"The thing that I enjoy most about Globetrotter camps, is the willingness to help, that you don’t see a lot of in everyday life. Having trouble with a particular technique? You can find multiple skill levels of people more than happy to help. Need some ideas that might help grow your little Jiu Jitsu club? There’s various years of experience to brainstorm with over a beer or on the sidelines. Want so see how you stack up with a high level black belt? Ask any of them to roll without the fear of being rejected or crushed. Looking for a new friend that you can share Jiu Jitsu / life problems with? There’s a 97% chance that the perfect person to listen will be at camp with you. Essentially it’s one of the friendliest group of strangers you will ever meet. As soon as camp ends, I’m looking forward to the next!"
- Anthony, Canada

BOOK YOUR SPOT

INCLUDED
Six days unlimited training camp
20+ black belt instructors
40+ gi and no-gi classes
20+ hours of open mats
Multiple daily off-the-mats workshops
Free beer open mat
Barbecues

NOT INCLUDED
Food, flights and accommodation

$175

RESERVATION DEPOSIT
(Must pay remaining $170 by September 1st)

– or –

$345

FULL PAYMENT

All taxes and fees included. No hidden costs.

AVAILABILITY: LOW (More than 80% booked)

Any questions?

Christian Graugart

Christian Graugart

Camp organizer
Vara Poorisrisak

Vara Poorisrisak

Camp organizer

Hi there, we are Christian and Vara!

We run the BJJ Globetrotters camps behind the scenes and are always happy to answer any questions you might have. Click below to get directly in touch with us any time!

Someone you can talk to

We care a lot about creating an environment where people feel comfortable, safe, and welcome.

If something happens at camp that doesn’t sit right with you, you’re always welcome to reach out. You can speak directly with the organizers, or contact Laura Mallene if you’d rather talk to someone outside the organizing team.

Laura is a violence-prevention educator with a Master’s degree in Change Management in Society from the University of Tartu, Estonia. She works daily with topics related to sexual and domestic violence prevention, offering training and awareness programs for all ages.

Her long-standing contribution to preventing gender-based violence has been recognized with the Violence Prevention Award, presented by the Estonian Ministry of Justice and President Kersti Kaljulaid. She has extensive experience supporting survivors of domestic violence and has completed emotional first aid and other trauma-informed trainings.

You are welcome to contact Laura on [email protected]

"I was impressed with the wide variety of people who were there. There was a good mix of white to black belts, male and female, younger and young at heart, and people of all body types. Everyone was respectful and welcoming to each other. The upper belts were incredibly helpful and kind. The atmosphere was one of fun and good times on the mat. I would recommend this camp to anyone who loves BJJ and the people who practice it."
- Sam, United States

What is the location of the camp?
The address of the camp is: Jay Pages Jiu-Jitsu Academy, 6745 S. Harl Ave., Suite 101 Tempe, AZ 85283.

How do I get there?
The gym is only a 15-minute drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), and there are flights there from all over the US.

Is there a minimum age for participation?
You have to be at least 18 years old in order to attend the camp. The only exception is our family friendly camp in Austria, where kids can participate together with at least one adult. Our minimum age required to participate in the camp without an adult is 18 years and unfortunately we can not make any exceptions. If we allowed one, we would have to allow all and then we could end up having hundreds of teenagers at the camps every year.

I'm not sure if I'm free on those dates yet and/or can't afford to buy a ticket right now. Can I reserve a spot at the camp and pay later once I've made my decision/ saved enough money?
Sorry, but we can't bookmark spots for people in advance. It would make it far too difficult to accurately determine how many spots are still available, and would cause additional confusion if people then cancel their reserved spots on short notice. To make it fair for everyone, we only secure camp spots for people who have bought a ticket.

I'll be nearby during the dates of the camp. Can I drop in for just one day / one class / one open mat?
Unfortunately, this isn't possible. The logistics of trying to keep track of day tickets for these camps would be a nightmare. Not to mention that if we allow one person to drop by, we have to allow everyone to drop by, and then we'd risk not having enough mat space for the people who actually paid for the full camp. Also, we often have a long waiting list for camp tickets, and it wouldn't be fair to those people if we let someone skip the list and come for a day. Same deal for everyone!:-)

Can I bring my kids to sit around/on the mats during the camp?
In order to create a quiet and focused training environment for the camp classes, we ask you to not bring your kids to the training area during camp. It would not be much of an issue with one or two, but if we allow one, we have to allow all and then we could risk suddenly having way too many babies and children there. Thank you for your understanding of this.

What are the terms and conditions of the booking?
Here you go.

Is it safe?
Yes :)

How many gis should I bring?
It depends on how much you want to train and if you also train nogi. We recommend two gis, that's enough for most people. Some people switch their days between gi and no-gi, and can do with a single gi.

Will I be allowed to film during the camp?
Yes, but always check with the instructor beforehand.

I only train with/without the gi, will there be enough training for me?
Yes! We promise there'll be more classes than you can possibly handle.

Where do the participants come from?
Our camps are usually attended by happy people from all over the world.

What language will the classes be taught in?
All classes are in English.

How can I coordinate rideshares with other campers to/from camp?
In our camp app there is a rideshare feature where you can post if you look for a ride, passengers or just someone to share a taxi or train with.

Is it possible to buy private lessons at camp?
We don't allow selling of any kind of services or products at the camp, including private lessons, massages, therapy, treatment, merchandise etc. This applies to both instructors and participants. So the answer is yes, but it has to be free :)

Is this just a BJJ camp?
Yes.

Will I receive a ticket in the mail?
There are no physical tickets for the camps. Your name is on our list when you arrive and check in.

When will there be training?
Training is running all day, every day!

I'm a complete beginner, can I still join?
Yes!! We have many hundreds beginners participate in our camps, every year.

I have booked a spot but have to cancel. Can I get a refund?
All bookings are non-refundable. You are most welcome to sell your spot to someone else, just let us know about it. In case the camp is sold out, we might have a waiting list you can obtain by emailing us. Click here for more information

Where do the participants come from?
All over the world.

What other camps are you hosting?
See our full schedule of camps here!

Is it possible to test for belt promotion?
The Council of Traveling Black Belts can offer a brutally honest evaluations of skill level at our camps – no belt promotion guaranteed, naturally. If you’re interested in the opinion of the instructors at a camp, shoot us an email with a description of your training career as well as link to a verified profile on www.beltchecker.com and we’ll catch you on the mats for a few rolls and some feedback. We do not consider anyone for promotion who already have an instructor or are in between gyms.

Curious what past attendees say? Read their reviews of this camp →