The Thinking Sport. The College Edge.
Epee specialist fencing in Boulder since 1979. Where strategic kids become confident competitors - and 30% go on to fence in college. From the coaching team behind 46 national champions.
All equipment provided. No experience necessary.
47
Years
46
National Champions
800+
National Finalists
64
World/Pan Am Selections
REGISTRATION OPEN · BONUSES LOCK MON MAY 26 · 9 AM MT
9 Boulder summer weeks.
12 campers each.
Half-day epee, ages 7–13 · May 26 → Aug 7
From the team behind 46 national champions
From $323/wk · Day-1 refund guarantee
Bonuses included
- 2-week bundle: a private lesson with Coach Gary or Andrea + Champion Campers tee
- 4-week Summer Pass: all of the above + 2nd lesson + tournament entry
- All equipment provided, every week
What does fencing teach a kid?
Fencing teaches kids to make decisions under pressure. They've got a club behind them and a coach in their ear, but once the referee calls 'fence,' every choice is theirs. They think at combat speed and learn that composure beats impulse. The mental habits a fencer builds at twelve show up later - in exams, interviews, and the hard conversations of adult life.
Coach Gary Copeland oversees the training of every competitive athlete at NCF Boulder personally. He's a USOC Fencing Coach of the Year and a working coach, not a name on the door. NCF Boulder runs one weapon - epee - and runs it deeply. The room produces fencers like Jasmine McGlade - ranked #1 in the U.S. in women's epee as both a cadet and a junior, Junior Olympics champion, All-American who helped Harvard win its first NCAA fencing team championship. Today she's a writer, director, and producer with credits on Oscar-winning La La Land and Whiplash, and her own feature premiered at Tribeca. She is the visible outcome of an invisible curriculum: tens of thousands of touches, thousands of bouts. The program is tested, not theoretical. Parents notice the change: the kid who used to flinch starts holding the room.
Six weeks. Twelve sessions. All gear included. The Six-Week Fencing Challenge is the fastest way to see the change start in your kid - same room, same coaches, same standards a competitive athlete trains under. Start the Six-Week Challenge →
Physical Chess. Real Competition. Zero Concussions.
Some kids think faster than they run. They see patterns, solve puzzles, and outstrategize opponents, but team sports never clicked. That's not a problem. That's a fencer.
For the Introvert
One-on-one competition. No team pressure. Progress at your own pace without letting teammates down. A supportive community of strategic thinkers, without the social overwhelm of team dynamics.
For the Strategic Mind
The sport where being smart is the advantage. Pattern recognition, real-time decision-making, and strategic depth that keeps brilliant minds engaged. Short, intense focus bursts with immediate feedback, built for how your child's brain works.
For the College-Bound
30-38% of high school fencers compete in college vs. 7% of soccer players. With 29 Division I programs and 64% of recruitment in épée, strategic families do the math.
Not Sure If Fencing Is Right For Your Child?
Every journey at NCF Boulder begins with a complimentary first lesson. No equipment needed. No commitment required. Just an honest conversation.
Your child might be a natural fencer if they:
- Love chess, video games, or puzzles
- Get bored in team sports
- Think strategically and quickly
- Have high energy that needs an outlet
- Want individual accountability, not team pressure
Hub-Level Coaching. Boutique Attention.
NCF Boulder has produced NCAA athletes, national competitors, and Division I recruits for over 45 years. But we're not a factory. We're a boutique academy where coaches know every athlete.
Stage-Not-Age Progression
Advance when you're ready, not when the calendar says so. Skill determines advancement. Not birthday, not time enrolled.
Mental Performance Curriculum
Fencing is 90% mental. We teach The Reset (recovering from mistakes in 3 seconds), The Strategist (reading patterns in real-time), and The Anchor (managing pressure when it matters).
College Pathway Support
Recruiting timelines, fencing resumes, coach connections. For serious athletes, we've mapped the pathway to 29 NCAA Division I programs.
Pathways to Success
Two paths. One standard of excellence. Find the right fit for your family.
Youth Programs
For Strategic Kids
Three tiers from Foundation to Competitive. Your child advances by readiness, not age. All equipment provided at entry level. The same coaching team behind 46 national champions.
All equipment provided.
Competitive Pathway
For Serious Athletes (Teens)
National points. Junior Olympics. NCAA recruitment. Rigorous training for athletes ready to compete at the highest level, with college pathway support built in.
29 D1 programs. We've mapped the pathway.
Adult Programs
Physical Chess - Teen & Adult
Physical chess for strategic minds. Open Fencing through Competitive - choose the level that matches your ambition. Dedicated adult sessions and the mental reset no gym can match.
Dedicated adult sessions.
Voices from the Strip
What fencing families say about NCF Boulder.
"My daughter is gifted and has ADHD. Team sports were a disaster. Too much chaos, too much waiting. Fencing was different from day one. The focus she's developed on the strip shows up in her schoolwork."
Michelle K.
Louisville Parent
"I wasn't the athletic kid. I was the chess club kid. Coach Gary saw something in me that soccer coaches never did. That boutique attention got me recruited to an Ivy League program."
NCF Alumni
NCAA Athlete '24
"NCF Boulder was the first activity where our son looks forward to practice. The mental resilience he's developed helped him through AP exams as much as Nationals."
Sarah J.
Boulder Parent
Maddie Burks
2025 Pan American Silver Medalist
Maddie Burks trains at NCF Boulder and represented the United States at the 2025 Pan American Championships in Lima, Peru, earning a silver medal in Youth Women's Epee.
She's one of 5 A-rated epee fencers currently training at NCF and an active international competitor. Her results are what Coach Gary's program produces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the first fencing lesson at NCF Boulder include?
About one hour at our 1949 33rd Street studio with the coaching staff. You learn epee-specific footwork and bladework, get fitted with a mask, jacket, glove, and weapon on-site, and may bout by the end. There is no charge for the introductory lesson. Wear athletic clothing and sneakers.
How old does a child need to be to start fencing?
NCF Boulder accepts new fencers starting at age 7. By that age children have the coordination and attention span to learn proper technique safely. There is no upper age limit; the club runs adult beginner programs alongside the youth ladder.
What equipment do beginners need to bring?
None. The club provides a full loaner kit (mask, jacket, glove, weapon, body cord) for the first lesson, the Six-Week Challenge, and the Foundation membership tier. Personal equipment is recommended once a fencer reaches the Development tier.
How is fencing different from martial arts for kids?
Fencing is a non-contact sport. Athletes score by touching their opponent with a flexible electronic-tipped weapon at distance, with no striking or grappling. Youth injury rate is approximately 2.5%, lower than soccer or basketball, and the concussion rate is near zero.
How long is the first lesson?
Approximately one hour. You will learn basic footwork, blade work, and may have the opportunity to fence a bout by the end.
Is the first lesson really complimentary?
Yes. The first lesson is offered at no charge with no obligation. Equipment is included. This is how NCF Boulder has welcomed new fencers since 1979.
What happens after my first lesson?
If fencing clicks, the Six-Week Fencing Challenge is the structured next step: 12 sessions over 6 weeks for $368 (just over $30 per session) with all club gear included. Your investment applies to future training.