Hannah Gladhill walked up to the pretend bully, played by Dan Saylor, at Penn Mar Martial Arts Academy. As he began to tease her, the 9-year-old shakily uncrossed her arms, stood up straight and said, "Don't do that."
Though her voice trembled, Hannah stood her ground and called the bully out on his behavior.
"You're always picking on me," she said.
The illusion was broken as the class of elementary-age students clapped from the sidelines, commending Hannah for her bravery.
The exercise, based on real-world bullying experiences in schools, is part of the Littlestown academy's bully proof camp — a five-day program that aims to give campers a sense of security to take back to school, instructor Tim Goonan said.
Tim Goonan, head instructor of Penn Mar Martial Arts Academy, demonstrates how to verbally deal with a bully with student Alexander Klimas, 8, on July 8
Tim Goonan, head instructor of Penn Mar Martial Arts Academy, demonstrates how to verbally deal with a bully with student Alexander Klimas, 8, on July 8 during bully camp at the martial arts studio in Littlestown. (Shane Dunlap - The Evening Sun)
"Parents call me constantly afraid their kid is being bullied," Goonan said. "Kids leave here knowing they don't have to be afraid. It's a life changing experience if they can just get some confidence."
The camp focuses on the power of assertive phrasing and non-violent body language as well as the proper defenses to take should an altercation become violent, Goonan said.
One would hope the initial steps of speaking to a teacher, parent, principal or the police would alleviate a bullying situation, but that is not always the case, Goonan said. Kids need to have the power to take care of themselves, he said.
Student Alexander Klimas said he gains a little bit of confidence every time he comes to camp.
After being repeatedly bullied in school last year, he said, the 10-year-old is glad to have the skills to handle the situation when school starts in August.
"I was bullied by the same person almost every day last year," Alexander said. "He elbowed me in the side and called me 'fat head' and grabbed my neck once. He's in a different class next year, but I know I can take care of myself if I see him now."
Even Goonan was bullied in school, an experience he said that hurts both the mind and the heart. It makes you afraid to go to school or walk between classes. Kids who are being bullied are constantly afraid, he said.
"Other kids perceived me as weak until I finally started to fight back," Goonan said. "If you don't learn to stand up for yourself the bullying becomes a cycle and can get out of control."
Goonan also offers bullying seminars and one-on-one sessions.
More information
What: Penn Mar Martial Arts Academy
Hours: Open 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday
Location: 410 W. King St., Littlestown
Contact: 717-359-9347; paselfdefense.com