Weekly camps • 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Drop-off: 8:30 AM
Pick-up window: until 12:30 PM.

Overview

NCF Boulder summer camps give students a focused introduction to épée fencing in a structured, supportive setting. Each camp blends physical training, foundational technique, and age-appropriate learning modules aligned with the same standards we use in our year-round youth program.

What Camp Includes

Technical Foundations

• Footwork patterns and movement control
• Basic bladework and simple attacks
• Defensive actions and counterattacks

Fencing Literacy & Understanding

• Rules and scoring conventions
• Introduction to refereeing
• Safe equipment handling and care
• How a bout is structured and conducted

Applied Learning

• Partner drills
• Supervised bouting appropriate to level
• Coach-led feedback sessions
• Opportunities to coach a partner or call a match

Broader Exposure to the Sport

• Historical fencing demonstrations
• Equipment and armory discussions
• Occasional introductions to other fencing traditions (e.g., kendo)

Daily Structure

• Arrival, warm-up, and mobility (including coordination and ball-skill work)
• Footwork block
• Bladework and partner drills
• Short individual lesson rotations
• Rotating learning module (rules, refereeing, gear, tactics, etc.)
• Supervised bouting or scenario-based fencing
• Cool-down and end-of-day review

Who Teaches It

Camps are led by NCF Boulder coaching staff with support from trained youth leaders. Instruction follows the same technical standards used in our KinderFechten program.

What Families Need to Know

• All fencing gear is provided
• Campers should wear athletic clothing, closed-toe shoes, and bring water and a snack
• Open to beginners and developing fencers; no experience required

Program Outcomes

By week’s end, campers will:
• Understand the fundamentals of épée fencing
• Know how bouts work and how to keep score
• Have experience fencing safely under supervision
• Be familiar with the cultural and historical context of the sport
• Gain confidence in movement, coordination, and decision-making

End-of-Week Showcase (Fridays)

On Friday, campers participate in a short, friendly “mini-tournament” modeled after our Clash of Swords events. It is not a competitive tournament; it’s a structured showcase where students demonstrate the skills they’ve learned. Family and friends are welcome to attend.

This is clean, precise, and zero fluff — exactly in line with the tone you locked in.

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You said:

It's also appropriate for those that have done our after-school program, so can you weave that in?

ChatGPT said:

Easy surgical add — the cleanest place to put this is under What Families Need to Know, because it’s an audience qualifier, not a program description. It stays in your tone and doesn’t clutter anything else.

Here is the updated section only with that sentence added:

What Families Need to Know

• All fencing gear is provided
• Campers should wear athletic clothing, closed-toe shoes, and bring water and a snack
• Open to beginners, developing fencers, and students coming from our after-school program; no prior experience required

If you want this folded into the full clean copy, here is the complete version with that one precise edit integrated: