Our Mission
Building discipline, focus, and confidence in kids.
At Safety America, our mission is to help kids thrive and grow by providing engaging and enriching programs that build discipline, focus, and confidence. From karate and ninja warrior courses to summer camps and birthday parties, we are committed to creating a safe and encouraging environment where every child can succeed. We believe in honoring people well and loving our students with genuine care and respect, fostering a culture of positivity and growth.
Our roots are deeply embedded in the Sugar Land community, where we have been proudly serving families for many years. From our humble beginnings in a small preschool classroom to expanding into a full-fledged facility with multiple locations, our commitment to the well-being of children has remained steadfast. We take pride in being a trusted partner for parents, offering programs that not only entertain but also instill valuable life skills that last a lifetime.
Our Founder
Robert Gifford has been involved in the Martial Arts since 1969. He began his studies with Sensei Michael Campos in Johnstown, New York and was promoted to First Degree Black Belt (Shodan) by Sensei Campos in 1975. In 1975, Sensei Gifford established schools in Potsdam, Ogdenburg and Massena, NY.
In 1980, he established the Houston ZDK and in 1994, he founded Safety America Martial Arts Center in Sugar Land, TX.
Sensei Gifford is an established competitor, having won over 150 awards in weapons, forms, and sparring competitions. In 1985, he was rated 3rd in weapons (Texas/Louisiana) by Karate Illustrated Magazine.
He is presently the highest ranking black belt member of the Zen Do Kai Association, 8th degree Black Belt, and is also the Southwest Representative for the organization.
Sensei Gifford also holds black belt certification in Kenpo (4th Dan) and Tae Kwon-Do (1st Dan). Sensei Gifford was the self-defense instructor for the Sugar Land – Citizens Police Academy for 10 years. He also served as a self-defense consultant for several major Houston based corporations.
Learn from the best...
Founder of Safety America
9th Degree Black Belt – Zen-Do Kai
4th Degree Black Belt – Kenpo
1st Degree Black Belt – Tae Kwon-Do
50 Years Experience Martial Arts
ZDKMAA Southwest Representative
Who’s Who in Karate – 1985
Master Instructor Zen-Do Kai
Director Practical Defense Systems
Corporate Self-Defense Consultant (15 Companies)
Self Defense Instructor: Sugar Land Police D.A.R.E. Program
“Karate Illustrated” Rated Top (3) Weapons Competitor in Texas/Louisiana
Zen-Do Kai National Champion 1985 & 1986
We continued to grow...
As we witnessed the positive impact martial arts had on their lives—helping them grow in confidence and leadership—we realized the potential to offer even more opportunities for development and fun. Parents expressed their desire for more programs that could engage their children beyond the dojo, and we listened.
With this vision in mind, we expanded our offerings to include Summer Camp, where kids could enjoy exciting activities, build friendships, and stay active during their break. The success of our Summer Camp paved the way for additional programs, such as Birthday Parties, designed to provide parents with stress-free, action-packed celebrations that their children would never forget.
Seeing the enthusiasm for our programs grow, we introduced our Ninja-Kid Warrior program—an obstacle-course-based adventure that combines fitness, fun, and skill-building in an engaging way. This unique program allows kids to challenge themselves, build resilience, and develop teamwork skills, all while having a blast.
Over the years, our commitment to loving our students and honoring people well has remained at the core of everything we do. Our deep involvement in the Sugar Land community has allowed us to serve countless families, helping their children grow into confident, disciplined individuals who are ready to take on any challenge life throws at them.
Today, Safety America is more than just a martial arts school—it’s a place where children can explore their potential, try new things, and create lifelong memories. Whether through karate, self-defense, summer camp, birthday parties, or Ninja-Kid Warrior, our goal remains the same: to empower kids with the skills and confidence they need to succeed in life.
We invite you to join us on this journey and discover all that Safety America has to offer!
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