Karate Of The Woodlands was started in 1990 after Rick Prieto, a now 8th Degree Black Belt and 40 year student and instructor for Chuck Norris came to Houston, TX to run the Kick Drugs Out of America Program, now called KickStart, for Chuck Norris with the help of then, President Bush senior. KickStart is a Character Development program designed for inner city school kids to help build self- esteem, goal setting, discipline, respect and steer them away from gang activities negative influences.

After moving to The Woodlands, TX, Mr. Prieto saw a need for a Character Development and Martial Arts Program in this growing community. This Chuck Norris United Fighting Arts Federation (UFAF) Chun Kuk Do program was implemented and the name chosen for Mr. Prieto's school was originally called Kid's Karate. The name was changed to Karate Of The Woodlands so that residents would know that the program was available for all ages, children, teens and adults. As the community grew, the program grew and after he filled his commitment to Mr. Norris to get the Kick Drugs out of America program started and running successfully, he decided to remain in The Woodlands and expand the Karate of the Woodlands School. Karate Of The Woodlands has now been successfully operating for 18 + years. Karate Of The Woodlands has added along with it's regular Karate programs, a Black Belt club program which includes specialty classes in Weapons training, Brazilian Jui Jitsu, Tournament Sparring and Black Belt Preparation.

Included in their regular martial arts training is a professional character development program, called Powerful Words, designed by PhD Dr. Robyn Silverman, a Child and Adolescent development specialist with a focus on character education and body/self esteem development during childhood, adolescent, and young adulthood. We also added the "Be Safe!" Education Program developed by the AmberWatch Foundation and World Black Belt. The AmberWatch Foundation "Be Safe!" Education program is a three prong approach to educate children, and their parents, on how to stay safe and out of the hands of abductors and molesters. We accomplish our mission with three interrelated initiatives: The "Be Safe!" curriculum, the "Be Safe!" book the National "Be Safe!" PSA program.

Karate Of The Woodlands is located at 9102 Forest Crossing Dr. inside Boni's Dance and Performing Arts studio, across the street from the Cochran's Crossing Shopping Center and one block down from Burger King.