Boulder Summer Fencing Camp for Kids Ages 7 to 13
Progressive epee instruction, open bouting, and a tournament to close a full week, with every piece of gear supplied. Coached by the NCF Boulder staff behind 46 national champions.
What a week of camp looks like
Campers train in groups matched to their stage, learn epee footwork and blade work in sessions that build on each other, and put it on the strip in open bouting every day. Every full week closes with an in-house tournament on Friday: real bouts, real referees, and a ranked result for every camper. All fencing gear is supplied, so there is nothing to buy before day one.
No experience needed
Total beginners are the point. Groups split by training stage, so your fencer works at the right level from day one.
All gear included
Mask, jacket, glove, sword, and body cord are ours to supply. Campers bring sneakers and a water bottle.
Small groups
One coach for every five campers, so nobody is left to work something out alone.
Real coaching
Led by NCF Boulder's coaching staff, including a USA Fencing Hall of Fame coach.
Read full coach bios on the About page.
Who camp is for
Campers are sorted by training stage, so a first-timer and a fencer with two seasons behind them each spend the week at the level that moves them forward. Camp is built for ages 7 to 13.
Brand new to fencing
Never held a blade. The week starts with footwork, how to score a touch, and gear that fits, and it ends with a real bout.
A season or two in
Fencers who train at NCF Boulder or somewhere else. Camp builds blade work and the decisions behind it, against opponents at their own level.
Training and competing
Fencers on a competitive track use camp for volume: coached repetition and open bouting, day after day.
School-break camps
Fencing on the days school is out.
When school closes, the floor stays open. Break camps are progressive epee instruction and open bouting for fencers at every stage, first-timers included.
Full details for each camp are on its booking page.
Parents on why their kids keep coming back
Every quote below comes from a parent whose child spent a week at an NCF Boulder camp.
“After trying a lot of different activities, my son has finally found his sport. NCF is welcoming, fun, and challenging, which keeps him coming back. The coaches are fantastic, and he has made some great friends along the way. We are so happy to have found such a great fit for him.”
“My son started fencing at a summer camp last year. Since then I have watched his confidence grow so much - he loves the sport, he has made real friends, and Andrea, Gary, and Scott are truly some of the best mentors you can ask for.”
“We came in as a family completely new to fencing and had no idea what to expect. NCF welcomed us from day one. The coaching, the kindness from the other kids, and the spirit of the whole place made this a wonderful experience for our entire family. We are grateful to have found it.”
Be first to hear when the next camp opens
Leave your email and we will tell you as soon as the next camp opens for registration.
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Not waiting for a school break?
Camp is one way in. NCF Boulder trains year round, and a first lesson is how most families find out whether fencing fits their kid.
Frequently asked questions
What ages is camp for?
Ages 7 to 13. Inside a week, groups are split by training stage instead of by age, so a first-timer and an experienced fencer both work at the right intensity in the same room.
Will a first-time fencer feel out of place next to experienced fencers?
No. Each week's group is split into stage-appropriate bands, so beginners build foundations at their own pace while experienced fencers work on more advanced material. The 1:5 coach-to-camper ratio means a beginner is never left to work something out alone, and the in-house tournament that closes a full week is bracketed by stage, so every camper competes against peers at their own level.
What should my child bring to camp?
Athletic clothes, sneakers, a water bottle, and a snack. That is the whole list.
What fencing equipment do we need to buy?
None. We supply the mask, jacket, glove, weapon, and body cord, and they are included with every camp. Families who go on to train with the club can buy their own gear later, and we will fit it before you spend anything.
Which weapon will my child learn?
Epee. NCF Boulder is an epee club, so campers learn the same weapon the competitive program trains in, on club blades.
Do we have to be NCF Boulder members to come to camp?
No. Camp is open to families who are new to the club.
47
Years
46
National Champions
800+
National Finalists
64
World/Pan Am Selections