Self-Defense for Middle School Boys and Moms - an 8-hour, 2-day intensive

Saturday, October 31 & Sunday, November 1

11 AM–3 PM BOTH DAYS | 8 HOURS TOTAL

Registration is for the full two-day workshop. Participants attend from 11 AM–3 PM on both Saturday and Sunday.

Self-defense is more than physical skills. It also means having the language, awareness, confidence, and strategies to recognize boundaries, communicate needs, navigate relationships, leave uncomfortable or unsafe situations, and seek help when needed.

This interactive two-day workshop gives moms and middle school boys an opportunity to learn, practice, and integrate physical, verbal, and emotional self-defense skills together as tools for sexual and domestic violence prevention.

Through education, conversation, practice, and physical self-defense instruction, participants will build skills around boundaries, consent, healthy and unhealthy relationship dynamics, assertive communication, recognizing pressure or coercion, strategies for leaving unsafe situations, and responding when boundaries aren't respected.

These skills aren't limited to dating or intimate relationships. Boys will develop language and tools they can use across friendships, family relationships, peer interactions, relationships with adults, and future dating relationships.

Moms participate alongside their sons, creating opportunities to establish shared language around safety, consent, boundaries, relationships, and help-seeking that can continue at home long after the workshop ends.

Event Information

Dates: Saturday, October 31 & Sunday, November 1

Time: 11 AM–3 PM both days

Workshop Length: 8 hours total

Who: Middle school boys and their moms

Cost: Sliding scale, $75–$150 per family *If cost is a barrier, but this class could benefit your family, please contact us directly at admin@facing-giants.com to see about sponsorship or reduced-rate opportunities.

Location: Facing Giants, 576 Olive Street, Suite 300, Eugene

About the Facilitator

Tonya Valadez, MS has worked in the fields of early childhood education, violence prevention and intervention, and special education since the late 1990s. She brings decades of experience working with children and families through education, prevention, and developmentally appropriate skill-building.

Parking & Arrival

Facing Giants is located on the third floor of the Heron Building at the corner of 6th & Olive. Free off-street parking is available in the lot behind the building, with additional paid street parking and parking available at the nearby Hult Center garage.

Please arrive 10 minutes early. The building is locked on weekends, and a Facing Giants staff member will meet participants at the entrance to let you into the building.