We offer group and individual lessons for foil, epee and sabre. All beginners start with the foil, a light weight blade with a rectangular cross-section. Points can only be scored with the tip (button/fly) of the blade. Only the torso and back are valid target area; head, arms and legs are considered off target. After pre-requisites have been met the student may begin lessons in either epee or sabre. Epee is the descendant of the dueling weapon. It has a heart or “V” shaped cross-section of the blade, a larger bell-guard and is much heavier overall then the foil. The entire body is considered valid target area, literally head to toe. Like foil, points can only be scored with the tip. The sabre is reminiscent of the original Calvary weapon. Though the modern fencing sabre is much lighter and faster the same use of forward cuts, back cuts and thrusts are employed. Valid target area is everything from the waist up, especially the head. Feel free to contact us for more information or to register for classes.

• Youth Classes

  Our Saturday classes are for children who are 7 to 12 years of age. The Beginner Class is held from 10:00am to 11:00am and the regular Youth Group Class is held 11:15am till 12:15pm. We stress the fundamentals to give the children a solid base in fencing from which they can quickly build on.

  We also instill a respect for the sport and others, teach discipline, self control and above all to have some fun and enjoy the sport. All the necessary equipment is provided by the school, students need only to wear appropriate clothing (gym class attire, NO SHORTS!) non-marring sneakers and some type of glove to protect their hand. Students who wish to compete in sanctioned events eventually will need to acquire their own equipment.

  A typical class begins with warm-up exercises, foot work and agility drills. Students are then divided based upon experience to work on appropriate drills. Most classes usually end with some type of game that lets them apply their fencing knowledge while having fun.

  Occasionally class will be run as a mock competition, so that students who are considering competing in USFA Youth competitions will know what to expect when they attend their first real competition. We also offer a Competition Youth Drill Group after the youth class for those students who want to compete to their fullest potential. Feel free to stop by and visit us, or call for more information!

• Individual Lessons

  These are given once/week for 20 minutes. The ten week session includes 8 individual lessons, a bouting session and unlimited free-fencing on week ten. Students are responsible for their own warm-ups. Free-fencing is included during open school hours before and/or after the lesson of the same evening/day. Missed lessons may be made up by attending an appropriate level group lesson, a round-robin, an extra bout night or by scheduling a make-up lesson with your instructor. In order to qualify for a make-up lesson, you must give 24 hour notice when cancelling your lesson. The lesson MUST be made up within the SAME session. If you miss you scheduled make-up lesson, that lesson will then be forfeited.

• Group Lessons

  These consist of a minimum of four students, a maximum of ten students per instructor. Lessons run 45-60 minutes, once a week. A bouting lessons is scheduled mid-session and week ten is unlimited open free-fencing. Warm-ups, footwork and agility drills are included as part of the lesson. Free-fencing is included during open school hours before and/or after the lesson of the same evening/day. Missed lessons can be made up by attending a group lesson of equal or lower level, or by taking a free-fencing night within the same session. If a group is offered, but does not get the minimum sign-up, that group will be cancelled and offered again the following session. Students signed up for a cancelled class will have the option of taking a lower level group as a review or take a session of unlimited Free-fencing. If three students agree, each may pay a “small class” surcharge to keep the class in place. For one or two students, individual lessons are also an option at the individual lesson rate. Epee and Sabre groups are offered when there is enough interest and when the student has reached all pre-requisites (one year training with foil and completion of the footwork class).

• Free Fencing

  Students are responsible for their own warm-ups. You may free-fence, practice, exercise, etc. during school hours. No lesson is included; however, there is a discount on individual or group lessons for a student who has purchased this package.

• Class fees

  8-Week Youth Sessions

  Youth Program (ages 7-12)

  $60

  Youth Program w/ Competition Drill Group

  72

  10-Week Sessions

  Introductory Beginner Group (1 day/week)

  75

  Group Lessons (1 day/week)

  90

  Individual Lessons

  130

  Unlimited Free-fencing (10 weeks)

  90

  Per Visit Prices

  Free-fencing Floor Fee

  10

  Group Lesson (incl. free-fencing

  15

  Individual Lesson (incl. free-fencing)

  20

  Introductory lesson coupon [PDF]

  Combination Lessons: The first lesson package is at full price: additional packages are discounted.

  Additional Family Member(s) Discount (from the same household): There is a 10% discount for the second family member, 20% for any subsequent family member. If more than one family member is taking combination lessons, the discount for combination lessons will apply prior to the family member discount. Family member discounts apply in order of highest cost to lowest cost.

• Application form [PDF]
• School Policy

  Please keep our school clean. Change your shoes or wipe your feet well before entering the fencing floor area. Shoes for fencing must have non-marking soles. When using the showers, please clean hair out of drains and squeegee/sponge down shower walls.

  Safety is a must. Keep equipment off of strips and away from doors. Do not place equipment in front of jacket racks or the water cooler. For absolute safety, report any damage or breakage of school equipment property to an instructor. When using electric scoring equipment, please hook and unhook ONLY at the end of the strips – not in the middle. All students must fill out an application to attend class and a waiver of liability.

  Payment: Session fees are due PRIOR to the first class of the session. Payment may be made with cash or check. Credit cards are soon to be accepted online. WALK-IN fees are due PRIOR to the lesson or start of free-bouting. There will be NO REFUNDS OR CREDITS for session fees. Each session runs for ten weeks. Students who show up for a class for which they have not registered will be assessed a $5.00 late fee.

  Financial Aid: Students wishing financial aid should make their needs known to the instructors in writing one week prior to the start of the session.

  Rental Fee (including class bout night): School electrical equipment for one class or one free-fencing day is $1.00 (to defray cost of repair or replacement). Weapons may be rented for use at competitions: the armourer will set fees and a deposit will be required for off-site use. In order to reserve the weapon(s) of your choice and to insure it is properly tuned, you must notify the armourer at least one week prior to the day the weapon will be picked up.

  Armory: The school armourer will perform equipment repairs. Fees will be set by the armourer and posted. The workbench in the downstairs warm-up area contains equipment for tuning electrical weapons: this is available for student use. Students wishing to use the school armory must have permission of the armourer, who must also be present. NO EXCEPTIONS.

  Downstairs practice/exercise area: Footwork practice should be done on the black strip. Use the tennis balls to improve point control, but do not lunge at a ball in front of a mirror! No bouting downstairs. The use of the weight training equipment and treadmill is available to all paying students over the age of 13. All must go through basic orientation before use. Please turn off lights when you are finished using the exercise area.

  Clothing and Equipment: Students should wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing: knickers and long socks or sweatpants are preferred, but jeans or other long pants are ok providing they allow free movement. Shorts may be worn for warm-ups, the footwork class or target practice; they are prohibited for lessons or any form of bouting. A glove is required by the fourth week of the beginner session. You may purchase a fencing glove or bring a long cuff, lightweight glove (such as a gardening or driving glove, something that offers protection with dexterity). The school provides masks, jackets and foils. Epees and sabres are available on a limited basis. Students wishing to compete on a regular basis should purchase their own equipment. You may order equipment through the school (to save on shipping costs). All items must be fully paid for before they can be picked up.

  Parking: please Park only in designated places. Parking charts are posted. Please do not park in spaces reserved for local residents. (Free/open parking behind the Sellersville Armed Forces Recruiting Center).

  Notices and Information: All notices including class changes, holiday make-ups and closed dates will be posted on the school bulletin board. Please check the boards frequently. All competition information will be posted. Call the school at 215-257-6808 with any question concerning bad weather. Call AFTER 5:30pm for evening classes and after 8:30am for Saturday classes. There will be a special message on the school answering machine if we are planning on being closed. Please leave a message with your phone number if you want a return call.

©2009-2010 Circle d’Escrime • Design ©2009 Black Box • Photography © Anabella Wewer. All rights reserved.