McMINNVILLE, Ore. — The All United States Kendo Federation (AUSKF) has officially confirmed the dates and venue for the 2026 All USA Iaido Summer Camp, National Championships, and Promotion Examinations, one of the largest annual gatherings for iaido practitioners in the United States.
Scheduled for July 22–26, 2026, the five-day event will be hosted at Linfield University in McMinnville, Oregon, bringing together practitioners from across the country for intensive instruction, national-level competition, and promotion examinations.
Online registration is expected to open in late spring 2026, with additional registration details to be released by the AUSKF Iaido Committee.
A Week Dedicated to Iaido Excellence
The annual Summer Camp serves as the centerpiece of the AUSKF iaido calendar, combining high-level technical instruction with opportunities for competition and rank advancement. The event welcomes practitioners of all eligible ranks, providing a unique opportunity to train alongside senior instructors while strengthening connections within the American iaido community.
Throughout the week, participants will take part in seminars, supervised practice sessions, national championships, and promotion examinations designed to promote technical development while preserving the traditions of Japanese swordsmanship.
Event Schedule
The official program begins on Wednesday, July 22, with participant registration and campus check-in from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Ted Wilson Gym lobby at Linfield University’s Health, Human Performance & Athletics Complex.
The evening will conclude with a Welcome Reception from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Fred Meyer Lounge inside the Riley Campus Center, providing participants an opportunity to meet instructors and fellow practitioners before training begins.
Intensive Iaido Seminars
Training seminars will take place on Thursday, July 23, and Friday, July 24, featuring a full schedule of technical instruction throughout each day.
Morning sessions will begin at 9:00 a.m., followed by additional seminars after scheduled breaks and lunch. Afternoon instruction will continue until 5:00 p.m., giving participants extensive opportunities to refine kata, improve technical precision, and receive guidance from senior instructors.
Each evening will also include informal supervised practice, allowing students to reinforce techniques covered during the day’s instruction under the guidance of experienced U.S. sensei.
Friday’s program will conclude with preparation for the weekend championships, including tournament practice for first-time competitors and referee training for officials.
National Iaido Championships
Competition takes center stage on Saturday, July 25, with the AUSKF Iaido National Championships.
Following morning registration and sword inspection, championship matches will begin at 9:00 a.m., continuing through both morning and afternoon sessions.
The tournament brings together many of the country’s top iaidoka, providing competitors with an opportunity to demonstrate technical excellence, composure, and precision before experienced judges.
The day’s events will conclude with an Awards Ceremony recognizing outstanding performances before preparations begin for Sunday’s promotion examinations.
Saturday evening will feature the traditional Sayonara Party, held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Jereld R. Nicholson Library on the Linfield University campus, celebrating another successful national gathering of the iaido community.
Promotion Examinations
The final day of the event, Sunday, July 26, will be dedicated to the AUSKF Iaido Promotion Examinations (Shinsa).
After morning check-in and sword inspection, examinations will begin at 9:00 a.m. and continue until approximately 11:30 a.m.
For many practitioners, the shinsa represents the culmination of years of dedicated training and personal development. Candidates will be evaluated on technical execution, etiquette, composure, and understanding of iaido principles as they seek advancement to higher ranks.
Lunch will be available following the examinations, while campus check-out will remain open until 2:00 p.m.
Training Venue
All instructional sessions, tournament events, and examinations will be conducted at the Health, Human Performance & Athletics Building on the Linfield University campus.
Activities will utilize both the upper and lower gymnasiums within Ted Wilson Gymnasium, providing ample space for seminars, competitions, and examinations throughout the week.
Accommodation and Transportation
Participants traveling to Oregon are encouraged to fly into Portland International Airport (PDX), the nearest major airport serving the event.
The recommended headquarters hotel is:
La Quinta Inn & Suites Portland Airport
11207 Northeast Holman Street
Portland, Oregon 97220
Organizers have also announced plans to arrange passenger van transportation for the visiting Japanese instructors, including Kato Sensei, Parker Sensei, and Sekreta Sensei. Volunteers will assist with transportation between the airport and hotel whenever possible.
Driving directions between Portland International Airport, the official hotel, and Linfield University have been provided to assist participants traveling by car.
On-Campus Housing
Limited on-campus accommodations will also be available.
The visiting Japanese instructors, including Kato Sensei and Konno Sensei, will stay in four-bedroom campus apartments with private bathrooms. Additional details regarding housing assignments will be distributed during registration on July 22.
Daily Meals
Participants staying on campus will receive meal cards providing access to breakfast, lunch, and dinner through Linfield University’s dining facilities.
Meals are scheduled throughout each day to allow adequate breaks between seminar sessions, competitions, and examinations.
Building the American Iaido Community
The AUSKF All USA Iaido Summer Camp has long served as one of the federation’s premier educational events, bringing together practitioners from across the nation in an environment focused on learning, improvement, and fellowship.
Beyond the technical instruction and competition, the camp provides invaluable opportunities for practitioners to exchange knowledge, strengthen friendships, and train alongside some of the most experienced instructors in North America and Japan.
With five days dedicated to education, competition, promotion examinations, and community activities, the 2026 event promises to continue the tradition of excellence that has made the AUSKF Summer Camp one of the most anticipated gatherings on the American iaido calendar.