Wheelchair Fencing

Beginner Fencing Camps

The day camps introduce kids to the sport of fencing. Students will learn to fence and develop an understanding of how fencing's strategy, rules, and conduct relate to the history of swordsmanship. All equipment and protective gear is provided in the camp fees.

Who should attend?
Boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 18 who have had less than 1 year of fencing. Beginners are welcome.

Medieval Camps

Lords and Ladies, come to Medieval Camp. Storm and defend the castle built upon the great Ruby Hill. Learn to swordfight (sabres). Act like knights and princesses and speak their language (Old English). Learn to lead a band of troops into battle like the great Joan of Arc. Come one, come all! All activities will be held at the Denver Fencing Center and nearby Ruby Hill Park. Medieval Camp is run by a professional high school teacher and professional high school drama director.

Competitive/U.S. National Fencing Prep.

Competitive Camp is designed to take experience fencers and prepare them for all level of competition. This camp helps build confidence in the fencer's ability to compete.

U.S. Nationals Prep Camp is designed to prepare for fence mentally and physically for the rigors of fencing competition. Many of fencers attending will be training for the 2012 US National Championship in Dallas, Texas but you don't have to be going to Nationals. We want fencers who want to train hard and fence strong.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Do you provide lunches?

It is a responsibility of the campers to bring their own lunch.

2. Is there anything else to bring?
Campers should bring water and/or refillable water bottles labeled with their name.

3. What is the suggested attire?
Campers should wear a t-shirt and thick pants to fence (thick sweat pants are ideal, jeans or cargo pants will work) along with athletic shoes. Campers may bring shorts to change into for outdoor activities, but for safety reasons we do not allow campers to fence in shorts.

4. Can I only come to one day?
Yes, but the single day charge is $80.

5. What is the student: adult ratio?
A maximum of 8 students per adult or camp worker

6. What does the weekly fee cover?
Fencing instruction and all daily activities, all protective gear and equipment including mask, jacket, underarm protector, chest protector, glove, and of course, foil, epee, and saber.

7. What is a "typical" day at the camp?
Each day at DFC camp begins with games that emphasize stretching and proper footwork that are critical to becoming a good fencer. Fencing instruction follows that will allow the campers to improve their skills and learn new strategies each day. The last activity of the morning is open fencing, where the campers get to fence one another, grouped by ability and under close supervision.

After lunch, there is an interactive program related to the swordsmanship, (Knights, Pirates, Calvary, The Princess Bride, etc) and how those influences can affect your fencing strategy. Weather permitting, this will be followed by an outdoor activity at adjacent Ruby Hill Park, or a return to the fencing club for a mini-tournament.

8. What are your facilities like?
The DFC - Denver is a 14000 sq. ft, air-conditioned facility dedicated to the sport of fencing. Our stage step floor is same flooring used by dance studios and is designed for maximum support. We have 14 full regulation electric fencing strips. So we can have 28 youth fencers fencing at a time. We have on-site parking and a lounge/waiting area.

9. What precautions are taken to insure safety?
The safety of our campers is our primary concern. No camper is ever allowed to even pick up a foil/epee/saber without wearing all of his or her safety gear. First Aid materials are always at hand and there is at least one CPR-certified adult on site at all times.

10. My child wears glasses. Is that a problem?
Many of our students wear glasses and they will fit under the mask.

11. Is there a particular age/size/fitness level appropriate for fencing?
Unlike most other sports, there is no ideal body type for a fencer. When you come to the Denver Fencing Center and look around at our members, they are all different ages, sizes, and body types. Successful fencers will find a way to win no matter their body type. Here at the Denver Fencing Center we train each fencer with techniques to complement their strengths and supplement their weaknesses. Ultimately, if your child sticks with fencing, they will find a way to make their body type work to their advantage.

12. What camp should we pick: Foil, Foil/Epee, Foil/Saber?

All camps are good for beginners. Each camp teaches foil which is the best weapon for a beginner fencer to start with. The Foil/Epee camp will allow them to learn the heavier epee. The Foil/Saber camps will allow them to learn the cutting and slashing saber. For the younger fencers (ages 8-9), they might find it easier to take the foil only camp. For the teenage fencers, the combined camps might be better option so they could find their favorite weapon over a week of camp. These are only guidelines and students who fit the age requirements are welcome to all of the camps.

You are also welcome to tour our facilities during normal business hours of 4pm to 9pm Monday-Thursday, 5pm-7pm Friday, or 9am-12:30pm on Saturday.

For further information, please reference to the Parent's Guide To Fencing under our New to Fencing section.