Zen Camp 2026

heidelberg camp bjj

* Full week training camp *
* Monday, October 5th to Sunday, October 11th *
* In the middle of nowhere, Poland *
* Accommodation in traditional Japanese houses *
* Huge mat space *
* Laundry service *
* All meals included *
* Bottled water, tea, and coffee included *
* Daily sauna therapy sessions *
* Board game night *
* Daily workshops and lectures *
* Mushroom picking in the forest *
* Morning yoga classes *
* Everyone welcome, regardless of experience and affiliation *

SKIP TO BOOKING DETAILS
0Days0Hours0Minutes0Seconds

WELCOME

We’re once again heading off to immerse ourselves in the peaceful atmosphere of the beautiful Dojo Stara Wies, a purpose-built Japanese-style village located in the middle of the Polish countryside. There we’ll lose ourselves in hours of friendly BJJ training, sunset Go matches, sauna therapy, bonfires, and conversations with old and new friends.

This one is always something deeply special, so we’re very excited to invite you back to this truly unique location for the next installment of the Zen Camp.

Hope to see you there. If you can find it.

signature-270px

"The Zen camp was in one word AMAZING. I had high expectations coming to the camp but the experience exceeded all of them. The facilities are superb and the nature surrounding the area is beautiful and really makes you feel like you're in an old school kung fu movie."

LOCATION

We really do go off the beaten track for this one. Deep in the heart of a stunning national park, you can train and relax alongside fellow grapplers from all over the world, surrounded by nothing more than trees, hammocks, and the open sky.

The address of the camp is Stara Wieś 1, 97-570 Stara Wieś, Poland. How you’ll get there is up to you. But if you figure it out, we promise you a fantastic experience.

3location

"Everything was very well organized, the staff was very helpful and kind and there were great instructors for every session"

FACILITIES

Dojo Stara Wieś has been specifically designed for the practice of traditional Japanese martial arts, and as such we have everything we’d ever need for several days of intense Jiu Jitsu training. Classes take place in a large matted hall with a gorgeous view out over the forest, and we have a smaller matted area we can use for drilling and open mat throughout the day.

Included in the price of the camp is access to the on-site sauna. We also offer a free laundry service for training gear, so you’ll always have a fresh gi waiting for you.

"What I experienced there is very difficult to describe with a few words. The atmosphere and vibe was just amazing and breathtaking, both the infrastructure and the training really gave me an excellent opportunity to leave my daily life aside and focus on something completely different."

FOOD & ACCOMMODATION

Located on the same site as the dojo are 16 high-standard cottages, all built in traditional Japanese style. Each cottage has three double rooms and one single room, and feature beds or futons for sleeping, a kitchen, a fireplace, and private bathrooms. Also available are four VIP houses for either four or two persons, if you prefer extra privacy.

All of the cottages are located less than a minute’s walk from both the dojo and the canteen, and give you the perfect peaceful place to hang up your hakama at the end of the day. Depending on your budget and preferences, you have a few different accommodation types to choose from:

  • Standard house

    Holds seven guests total
    3x double rooms (two futons)
    1x private room (one futon)
    Living room with fireplace
    Small kitchen with refrigerator
    Terrace
    3x bathrooms with showers

  • VIP house type 2

    Holds four guests total
    2x double rooms (two futons)
    Two en suite bathrooms with showers
    Small kitchen with refrigerator
    Living room with fireplace
    Terrace
    Free snacks, drinks, chocolate, wine, etc.

  • VIP house type 1

    Holds two guests total
    1x double room (two futons)
    Private bathroom with shower
    Small kitchen with refrigerator
    Living room with fireplace
    Terrace
    Free snacks, drinks, chocolate, wine, etc.

  • Super VIP house

    Holds five guests total (two couples and one single)
    2x double rooms (large double beds)
    Two bathrooms with showers
    Full size kitchen with refrigerator
    Living room with fireplace and couches
    Terrace
    Free snacks, drinks, chocolate, wine, etc.

You can see a floor plan of the standard houses here (three double rooms and one private room).

Food is included in the price of the camp and will be served three times a day in the restaurant. Tea, coffee, and water is available free of charge during the entire camp. We’ll also be providing all the bottled water you need for training.

If you’d like the vegetarian option, or if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, just give us a shout at [email protected] and let us know!

"I had such a powerful experience at the Zen Camp this year. I met and trained with so many folks from around the world, and tapped in to so much knowledge and experience, Jiu Jitsu-related and beyond."

BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU TRAINING

We have two large matspaces available for the camp, where we’ll host more training than you can handle – both gi and no-gi. Classes and open mat sessions will be running from morning to evening every day, taught by a variety of experienced, friendly, and high-level black belts from around the world who have a genuine interest in sharing their knowledge as well as in participating in the social aspects of the camp.

BJJ Globetrotters camps are known for being full of friendly people from all over the world, who enjoy good training in a fun, relaxed and open-minded environment, with a heavy emphasis on everyone being equal, both on and off the mats. White belts are real people too!

"If you’re unsure about attending, trust me, it is worth it! I came alone to my first camp, and it was truly a beautiful experience!"

YOGA AND MEDITATION

Regardless of the color of the belt around your waist, six days of 8+ hours on the mats is tough on the body! In order to keep us limber and loose right until the end, we’re bringing in a dedicated instructor to run morning yoga sessions every day of the camp.

Additionally, we’ll be doing evening meditation sessions to wrap up the training and prepare you for a good night’s sleep.

"Should you be wondering if a Japanese village in the middle of nowhere in Poland is authentic - it is."

THE SAUNA HOUSE ON THE LAKE

The camp offers daily access to the traditional, Japanese sauna house on the lake. Follow up by a quick cool down outdoors, or a swim in the lake for the brave!

"This camp and location are unequaled!"

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 improving your photography, making stuff happen, standup comedy and historic grappling arts – basically anything cool that we think might be interesting.

We’re also hosting open, creative workshops in the mornings, where anyone can come and draw, paint, write or just hang out. Tea and jazz provided!

BOARD GAME NIGHTS

PreviousNext
123

One of our most popular activities at this camp is the board game night. Campers are encouraged to bring their favorite games and we’ll set up tables for us to play them for a few nights.

"I don't even know where to start. The houses we stayed in were terrific. Our nights by the fire playing unknown games or just chilling with a drink were amazing. The food was good and there was plenty of it for everyone. The setting of the village was so beautiful. The night sky with the visible milky way was the thing that struck me the most."

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!

"It was truly magnificent."

OTHER ACTIVITIES

As befits the nature of the camp, there’s nothing even remotely resembling urban bustle or other modern distractions around. You’re situated right in the middle of the tranquil beauty of Przedbórz National Park, so whenever you need a break from training just pick a direction, wander through the woods, sit beside a river, and listen to the birds. In the evenings, you can learn the intricacies of the oldest board game in existence, or get to know some new friends over a glass of sake. We’ll also be installing hammocks around the camp grounds for you to use any time you like.

2x ZEN GIS €150 OFFER

As you might have noticed from the photos, we really try to get in touch with our bushido roots at this camp. Less Bad Boy and Venum, more Kurosawa and Mifune. Due to environmental reasons —way too many gis go unused after camp—as well as rising production and transportation costs and our decision to add two extra days, we will be offering the white camp gis as an optional extra this year. We’re still heavily subsidizing the production cost for you, so for only €150 (regular price €298), two brand-new, white gis will await you on your bed upon arrival. These are deliberately designed to be as traditional and minimalistic as possible, with only a small embroidered Globetrotters logo on the shoulder.

Just bring your belt!

"What an amazing vibe and great training with awesome instructors! I went as solo traveler not knowing anyone and was welcomed into great group of people! Training excellent, food excellent, location amazing!"

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.

"Zen Camp defies attempts to describe it"

CONFIRMED INSTRUCTORS

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
Vilhjálmur Arnarsson

- From Akureyri, Iceland
- BJJ black belt
- Icelandic National Champion
- 3rd place IBJJF Europeans nogi
- Knits a sweater for Priit every Christmas
Jari Anttila

- From Mikkeli, Finland
- BJJ black belt
- ADCC North European Champion 2023
- Trained BJJ since 2001
- Claims his spirit animal is a Brazilian tapir
Priit Mihkelson

- From Tallinn, Estonia
- BJJ black belt
- Head coach Estum Jiu Jitsu, Estonia
- Creator of DefensiveBJJ.com
- Once stopped drone strike w/ turtle defense
Alexandra Buch

- From Wuppertal, Germany
- BJJ black belt
- Luta Livre black belt
- Former MMA pro fighter
- Wants ground-and-pound allowed at open mats
Alan Titone

- From Colorado, United States
- E-RYT No Bullshit Yoga Teacher
- Co-founder of Karma Jiu Jitsu
- Aka. the famous pro wrestler 'Namaste Nudie'
- Somehow believes yoga needs MORE STRENGTH
Tom Maenurm

- From Tallinn, Estonia
- BJJ black belt
- Gold ADCC European Open Pro 2022
- ADCC Estonian Open Champion 2022
- Actually just an Italian tennis snob
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
Matthew McPeake

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

- From Gelsenkirchen, Germany
- BJJ black belt
- ADCC German Open Champion
- Grappling Industries Absolute Champion
- His tip for your guard is "turn it off and on again"
"I had been told it was magical, but you have to experience it to understand."

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.
"I’ve not yet seen a better place to really immerse yourself into Jiu Jitsu"

SCHEDULE & GUIDEBOOK

Will be sent out approximately one week before camp

* Check in is Monday from 14:00 *
* Camp welcome meeting is Monday 15:00 *
* Daily training, activities and open mat sessions from morning to evening *
* Check out is Sunday at noon latest *

Take a look at a guidebook for a Zen Camp here

"The training facilities, accommodations, laundry service, the food, instructors and classes were top notch"

BOOK YOUR SPOT

INCLUDED
Full week training camp
25+ gi and no-gi lessons
20+ hours of open mat
Daily morning yoga lessons
Daily off-the-mats workshops
Guided sauna sessions
Mushroom picking in the forest
All meals and drinks included
Accommodation in traditional Japanese houses
Shared double room

NOT INCLUDED
Transportation to camp

€399

RESERVATION DEPOSIT

Non-refundable deposit
Secure your spot with a down payment
Must pay remaining 2x €450 before March 1st and August 1st to secure ticket

OR

€1299

FULL PAYMENT

Private room +€249
VIP house (4 people) +€275
VIP house (2 people) +€339

* ALL PRICES ARE PER PERSON *

AVAILABILITY (STANDARD): SOLD OUT
AVAILABILITY (PRIVATE): SOLD OUT
AVAILABILITY (VIP4): SOLD OUT
AVAILABILITY (VIP2): SOLD OUT
AVAILABILITY (SUPER VIP FOR COUPLES): SOLD OUT

Loading…
You're on the waitlist! We'll be in touch when a spot opens up.

Terms and conditions

"A Globetrotters camp remains one of the few places where empathy, curiosity and openness remain"

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!

Facebook Messenger
Whatsapp +45 44 18 13 50
[email protected]

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]

"First camp for me and honestly, everything was amazing. Such a warm welcome from everyone, top level teachers, a place that felt totally out of this world. Just an unforgettable experience."

"An amazing experience both from a Jiu Jitsu and travel perspective."

ALL UPCOMING CAMPS

Summer Camp 2026 – 180×240 SOLD OUT

Austria Camp 2025 – 180×240

Copenhagen Camp 2026 – 180×240 SOLD OUT

Zen Camp October 2026 – 180×240 SOLD OUT

Arizona Camp 2026 – 180×240

Family Winter Camp 2027 – 180×240

caribbean island camp 2027 – 180×240

Spring Camp 2027 180×240

USA Camp 2027 180×240

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR ZEN CAMP

Where is the camp?
Dojo Stara Wies in Poland, a few hours south of Warsaw. The exact address is Stara Wieś 1, 97-570 Stara Wieś, Poland.

How do I get there?
Despite the camp being in the middle of the Polish countryside, there are a few international airports somewhat close by. Emphasis on the somewhat.

The easiest way is to fly to either Warsaw (two airports – Chopin and Modlin) or Krakow, and then either hire a car or hitch a ride with another camper from there; most people organize that in our app for participants.

What day do I need to arrive / leave?
Check in opens Monday early afternoon and we’ll have our welcome meeting and first training in the late afternoon. Last training will be Sunday morning so you could leave around noon or in the afternoon.

Is there a supermarket or ATM near the camp?
Well, kinda near! There’s a supermarket, an ATM, and a gas station in Przedbórz, about a 25-min drive from the camp venue.

Where can I wash my training clothes?
There will be a laundry service at the camp but Please note that this covers training gear only (i.e. gis, rashguards, shorts, spats, and underwear).

What kind of food are you serving?
Different food every day, but basic stuff like meat, rice, vegetables, salad, bread, etc.

Is there an option for vegetarian food?
Yes, please let us know on [email protected].

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.

ANYTHING ELSE?

Feel free to email us if you have any questions!! We will get back to you right away :)

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