Harvard Coaches and Olympians Camp (2025)
(FAQ)

Please email info@timmorehousefencing.com with any questions.

how do I register?

You can register here: https://www.timmorehousefencing.com/sleep-away-fencing-camp

What are the FACILITIES Like?

Parker-Sculley Dorms
Newly opened in Summer 2024, the Parker-Sculley dorms are beautiful, modern, and fully air-conditioned. With spacious common areas, comfortable accommodations, and contemporary finishes, they provide an ideal setting for a productive and enjoyable camp experience.

• The dorm room bed size is twin XL.

• There are free laundry machines on every floor.

• The camp Arrival/Departures Address:
  St. Marks Boarding School
  Southborough, MA 01772

  Arrive & Park at the parking lot behind the Patterson-Sculley Dorms

• The camp mailing address:
  St. Marks Boarding School
  (Attention: Fencing Sleep-Away Camp)
  25 Marlboro Rd.
  Southborough, MA 01772

For students arriving on-campus, you should enter from School Street and go to the parking lot of the Patterson-Sculley dorms.

Find directions to campus: (Click Here)

dorms

Athletic facilities & Campus experience

What Are the Session Dates?

Session 1: Aug. 3-10, 2025 (Saber, Foil and Epee)
Session 2: Aug. 10-17, 2025 (Saber Only)

What is the best way to reach someone ABOUT CAMP?

Using the camp email is the best way to reach the camp administrative and support staff:
info@timmorehousefencing.com

In addition, during the camp we will be communicating, posting pictures and sharing updates on the camps whatsapp group. During the camp, someone is generally manning the inbox on a regular basis between 9am-7pm each day and sporadically after these hours.

If you need to reach someone by phone, please email and request a call-back.

If you are emailing us more than 1-week before the camp, please expect a response within 2-3 business days.

Who Can Attend?

The camp is open to any and all entrants (limited only by number and age) in all 3-weapons.

Minimum Age Requirement to Attend: Campers must be at least "Fencing Age" 8 for the 2024-2025 season.
(This the Campers age on January, 1 2025)

Minimum Age Requirement on Dorms: Campers must be at least "Fencing Age" 11 for the 2024-2025 season to stay in the dorms (This the Campers age on January, 1 2025)

What is included in the residential camper experience at the Harvard Coaches & Olympians Sleep-Away Camp?

Residential campers receive three meals per day, housing in supervised modern dorms, and participate in a full day of training, including 2–3 fencing practices and additional cross-training and performance-focused sessions.

Throughout the week, campers also take part in a variety of enriching activities, including:

• College recruiting seminar led by Harvard Head Coach Daria Schneider

• Sports performance workshops focused on mental and physical preparation

• Inspirational talks from Olympians sharing their journeys and advice

• Data analytics sessions for saber fencers with Tim Morehouse, Director of Team USA Men’s Saber

• Guided conversations with current Harvard fencing team members, who serve as camp counselors alongside TMFC’s Fencing Corps staff—offering valuable insights into college life and fencing pathways

Campers will also have the opportunity to swim several times throughout the week, adding a fun and relaxing component to the high-level training experience.

Who Runs The Camp?

The Harvard Coaches and Olympians camp is run by Co-Camp Directors Daria Schneider and Tim Morehouse and is a partnership between the Harvard Fencing Program and Tim Morehouse Fencing Club.

Daria Schneider is the Head Coach of the Harvard University fencing team. In addition, Daria was a U.S. National Team Member in Saber and has served as the US Olympic Team Captain amongst other accomplishments in her career.

Tim Morehouse is a 3 x Olympic Team Member, Olympic Silver Medalist and the Founder of Tim Morehouse Fencing Club. He has a Masters degree in Education and his professional experience includes 8 years working in schools through the Teach For America program and over 10 years of coaching experience. Both Daria and Tim are certified and accredited camp directors through the American Camping Association (ACA) and have many years of experience running successful camps. 

What is a typical camp day? (RESIDENTIAL CAMPERS)

Each day at the Harvard Coaches & Olympians Sleep-Away Camp is carefully crafted to deliver a world-class training experience while creating lifelong memories. From sunup to lights out, the camp blends rigorous training with meaningful mentorship and joyful moments, making each day both challenging and inspiring for every athlete.

Campers wake up in the newly opened, air-conditioned Parker-Sculley dorms and begin their day with morning attendance before heading to breakfast, dressed and ready to train. The first fencing practice kicks off with a focus on footwork, structured drills, and technical development—laying the foundation for each day’s progress.

After lunch and a brief rest period in the dorms, the second session offers a more individualized experience. Campers rotate through private lessons or small-group training sessions if they have signed up for them in addition to cross-training workouts, and interactive seminars led by Olympians, elite coaches, and sports performance specialists. These sessions are designed to deepen both physical and mental skills in a more personalized setting.

In the evening, students return to the gym for the third and final practice—a high-energy bouting session where they put their skills to the test in a competitive but supportive environment. After practice, the fun continues with a series of delightful surprises and social activities throughout the week that help campers unwind, bond with teammates, and create lasting friendships.

The camp week ends with the camp tournament and closing ceremonies.

WHAT IS A TYPICAL Camp Day Schedule?

Sample Daily Schedule

7:15am – 7:45am Wake-Up

8:00am – 8:45am Breakfast

9:00am – 11:30am Practice Block #1 (Footwork, Conditioning and Drills Practice)
Commuter students should arrive at the gym by 9:00am.

12:30pm – 1:30pm Lunch

1:30pm-2:30pm Rest/Recovery Time

2:30pm – 5:00pm Practice Block #2

5:30pm – 6:30pm Dinner (Commuter Pick-Up Option #1 is before dinner)

7:00pm – 8:45pm Practice Block #3 (Bouting Practice)
Commuter Pick-Up Option #2 at 8:30pm

9:15pm – 10:15pm Evening Social / Activity / Flex Time

10:15pm – 10:45pm Prepare for Bed in Dorms

11:00pm
Lights Out / Bedtime

How do Dorm room Assignments work?

Most students will be assigned to double rooms, and we do our best to accommodate roommate preferences. However, we cannot guarantee specific roommate requests in all cases. To help us make the best matches possible, please list as many roommate preferences as you can when submitting your registration.

If two students select only each other, and are of the same gender and weapon, there is a high likelihood they will be placed together. In situations where specific requests can't be fulfilled, we make every effort to place students in nearby rooms within the same section of the dorm.

Room assignments are generally grouped by gender, age, and weapon, so even if you're not in the same room, you'll likely be close to friends and training group peers.

What do campers need to bring?

Fencing Equipment: 
(READ CAREFULLY)

All campers need to bring a full set of working fencing equipment including all necessary electric equipment and cords.

Including:

• fencing pants (knickers)

• white fencing jacket

• electric jacket

• Fencing mask

• underarm protector

• chest protect * if applicable

• Multiple working body cords and head clips

• 3 working weapons in case things break over the course of a session.

• Fencing Shoes (Only to be worn in the fencing room)

RECOMMENDED:

• 2 sets of fencing whites since campers whites tend to get wet from sweat and being able to alternate uniforms might add to their comfort level from practice to practice.

PACKING LIST

Clothing

In addition to fencing equipment, please see the section for what fencing equipment is needed, students should bring:

• Multiple T-shirts per day – Students should bring several changes per day so they can switch into a clean shirt if they sweat.

• Sweatpants & Sweatshirts – Comfortable options for cooler evenings or rest periods.

• Shorts – For non-fencing activities and warmer weather.

• Socks – At least 2 pairs per day (14+ total) to keep feet dry and prevent blisters.

• Underwear – Recommend at least 2 per day or more for comfort and hygiene.

Footwear
Campers should bring 2–3 pairs of sneakers or fencing shoes for practice.

• Fencing Shoes: One pair should be reserved for indoor use only at the fencing venue to keep the strips clean—these should never be worn outside.

• Outdoor Sneakers: Bring a separate pair for outdoor activities, cross-training, and games that will not be used for fencing.

• Sandals/Flip-Flops: We also recommend bringing sandals for shower use and for walking around the dorms.

Swimsuit
There will be 1-2 opportunities to swim during the week so campers can pack 1-2 bathing suits.

It is not a requirement that students swim during the camp. It will be one of the flex time options.

Toiletries
Students will need to bring full toiletry sets and towels including toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, shower soap, and any other products needed for a week or two away from home.

Linens
You may either bring your own linens or rent them from the school for a fee.

The school’s linen kit includes:

• Pillow & pillowcase

• Mattress sheet & flat sheet

• Towels

Please note: A blanket is not included. If you need extra warmth, you’ll need to bring your own blanket or comforter.

You’ll indicate your linen preference—bringing your own or renting from the school—on your registration form.

Medications
These must be accompanied by paperwork from the child’s physician and Authorization to Administer medication form which you will complete with the camp forms.

Snacks
Campers are permitted to bring additional snacks and drinks to keep them in their room. There is limited fridge space in the common rooms, so food that requires refrigeration is not allowed.
(No snacks with peanuts or nuts are allowed.)

As a reminder, please be sure that all of your child’s belongings are clearly labeled. Please do not allow your child to bring any valuables to camp. The camp and TMFC is not responsible for any lost or stolen belongings.

Can students bring microwaves, hot water heaters, or other cooking devices?

No, students are not allowed to bring microwaves, hot water heaters, or any other cooking devices to camp. School policy strictly prohibits these items in the dorms due to safety regulations. Additionally, the fire alarms in the building are highly sensitive, and these devices can easily trigger them, creating unnecessary disruptions and safety concerns.

As a reminder, please be sure that all of your child’s belongings are clearly labeled. Please do not allow your child to bring any valuables to camp. The camp and TMFC is not responsible for any lost or stolen belongings.

Cell phone policy at camp

Students are permitted to bring cell phones to camp, but they must remain in the students' rooms.

Our goal is to ensure that campers fully engage in the camp experience while also allowing for necessary communication between students and parents. If a student violates this policy, they will receive a warning, and their phone will be confiscated until the end of camp.

Any phone seen during meals or practices will be temporarily confiscated. Repeated violations of the cell phone policy will result in the phone being taken until the end of camp.

How Do the training groups work?

In addition to groupings for competitive and Elite Cadet, Junior and Senior Fencers, we will also have programs tailored for elite, competitive and intermediate youth fencers, which generally will be ages 8-9, 10-11 as well as Young Teen (12-13).

Please note, the Day One 5-touch tournament will also be a major factor in the groupings of students into the the first few days with opportunities for students to move up throughout the week as we hold mini-group tournaments.

Throughout the camp week there will be plenty of opportunities for all students to fence each other and the 3rd practice on several evening is open bouting where students can fence against anyone.

Check-in/Check Out Information
(subject to change)

We will update as we get closer to the start of camp, but this the likely schedule.

ARRIVAL DAY SCHEDULE (Aug. 3 and 10)

Arrival Information and Schedule (Aug. 3 & Aug. 10, 2025)

Arrival Time:

• 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM (Residential Campers)

• 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM (Commuter Campers)

Arrival Address:

• St. Marks School - Patterson-Sculley Dorms
  16 School Street
  Southborough, MA

  Note: This is different from the main school address as we are using an entrance on a block on the other side of the campus.)

Arrive & Park behind the Patterson-Sculley Dorms. We will have staff stationed by the dorms to welcome you.

ARRIVAL PROCESS
(1pm-3pm for Residential Campers)

We ask that everyone please follow the signs and directions from our staff and to be patient as we process all the students arriving for day 1.

Check-In:
Upon arrival, please enter the Patterson-Sculley dorms through the rear entrance, where our check-in desk will be located just inside. Our team will confirm your paperwork and provide your camper with their dorm assignment and room number and answer any final questions you have about the camp.

Heading to Dorm Rooms:
After check-in, campers will be escorted by one of our coaches or staff members to their assigned dorm rooms to drop off their belongings, including their fencing bags. The students can begin to unpack and settle-in as well.

Please Note: In accordance with school policy and Massachusetts state camp policies, parents are not permitted beyond the dormitory common areas. We kindly ask that you say your goodbyes in the designated common room while your child gets settled upstairs. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

• Please do not arrive more than 30 minutes before the check-in window opens, or we will ask you to wait in your car until we start processing students.

• The first meal of the camp is dinner, so students should eat lunch before arriving.
  (Mauro’s Village Cafe is a nice little diner about 5-10 minutes from campus if you want to eat lunch nearby.)

Commuter students will arrive on campus for check-in starting at 3pm. Please do not arrive before 3pm. Commuter students will follow the same process as residential students for checking-in, except, that they will not go to the dorms.

Day 1 SCHEDULE - AFTER CHECK-IN

3:30pm-4:45pm OPENING CEREMONIES/ORIENTATION (AUDITORIUM) ** Campers Only **
Students will begin heading to the auditorium around 3:15pm from the gym. In the auditorium, students will find their assigned seats for the opening ceremonies in their camp group and meet their camp group leader. (Please Note: Camp groups will not the same as their training groups.)

During the opening ceremonies, students will meet the camp staff, go over the rules and procedures for the camp, and get an overview of the week.

5:00pm-6:00pm Dinner

6:00pm-6:45m Dorm Time (Settle In)/Commuter Students will stay with their group leader during dorm time)

7:00pm-9:00pm Practice #1 (Opening Night 5-Touch Bout Tournament)

** Commuter Students will be picked up outside of the Hockey Rink (our main practice space) at 8:45pm/9pm.

(Commuter Students: During the week, parents can elect to pick-up their children either between 5pm-6pm at our dinning room HQ or at 8:45pm at the end of the 3rd Practice in the gym. YOU MUST SIGN OUT YOUR CHILD WITH OUR STAFF!ut

9:00pm-10:00pm Dorms & Continue Settling In
10:15pm Lights Out

DEPARTURE FOR SESSION 1 & SESSION 2

ADDRESS

• St. Marks School - Patterson-Sculley Dorms
  16 School Street
  Southborough, MA

  Note: This is different from the main school address as we are using an entrance on a block on the other side of the campus.)

camp departure (times, schedule & Logistics)

9:00–11:00 AM – Camp Tournament Finals, Medal Ceremonies & Closing Remarks at the Auditorium (Parents Invited)

Parents are warmly invited to join us in the auditorium from 9:00–11:00 AM for the camp finals and closing celebration.

Included in the camp finals will be:

• Gold medal matches

• Medal ceremonies for top-8 finishers from the different events & weapONS.

• Closing remarks from Harvard coach Daria Schneider and TMFC founder Tim Morehouse

Arrival & Parking
Please park at the Patterson-Sculley Dorms (same location as Day 1 arrivals) and walk to the auditorium.

Early Departure Option
If you wish to take your child home before 11:00 AM, you may sign them out with our staff in the auditorium between 9:30AM–11:00 AM. For minimal disruption, sign-outs will happen during breaks between matches.

Final Pick-Up TIME
All campers must be picked up no later than 11:30 AM. For Session 1 families, please follow this timing closely—Session 2 campers begin arriving at 1:00 PM, and we need time to transition and prepare to welcome them.

Dismissal Process
Final dismissal and sign-out will happen in the auditorium. We will have a table set-up in the lobby of the auditorium. Parents should go to the auditorium after parking.

Once signed out, parents will take their camper to their dorm’s common room to collect luggage before departing.

We look forward to celebrating a fantastic week of fencing with you!

CAMPER FINAL DAY SCHEDULE

7:00am-8:00am Departing Campers will bring their bags to the downstairs common room in the dorms to remain until pick-up
(with the exception of fencing bags for those campers competing in the finals)

8:00am-8:45am Breakfast

9:00am-11am Camp Tournament Finals and Medal Ceremonies (Auditorium) (Parents Invited)

11am-11:30am Departure of Campers from Session 1/Campers staying for Both Sessions will have a planned activity

1pm-3pm Arrival of Campers for Session #2

What if my camper cannot arrive during the arrival window?

Please submit the Schedule Change Request Form (Click Here) if you cannot arrive at the designated times. We will do our best to accommodate. Please also submit this form if you have any schedule changes required, such as an early departure or late arrival or email us at info@timmorehousefencing.com

WhAT FORMS DO I Need to Submit to attend?

All campers attending the camp must submit camp forms prior to arrival.

This is the link to submit the required camp documents and forms: (Click Here).

What Are the Facilities Like?

Here is a video made by camp director Tim Morehouse: (Click Here).

You can also view the campus on the school’s website: (Click Here)

Can students Do laundry ?

Laundry Access:
Each floor of the dorm building is equipped with free laundry machines, which students are welcome to use during their stay. Please note that campers must bring their own laundry detergent, as it will not be provided.Are there stores on-campus?

There are no stores other than a snack store available on campus for the campers to use.

SNACKS & FOOD OUTSIDE OF MEAL TIME:

Snacks & Food Delivery
There are no stores or vending machines on campus, so we encourage students to bring non-perishable snacks from home—as long as they do not require heating.

Students will have a brief window after the third practice during which they may order food through Seamless, Grubhub, or Uber Eats, but only if they do so responsibly. Orders must arrive before 10:00pm, and students must notify a staff member in advance if they plan to place an order.

All food deliveries must be sent to the Dining Hall Headquarters, where staff will be available to receive and distribute the food.

Delivery drivers are not permitted inside the dormitories or any campus buildings under any circumstance.

For safety reasons, students are not allowed to leave campus or exit dorm buildings without staff supervision at any time.

WHAT IF I CAN’T ATTEND EVERY DAY OF A SESSION?

No Pro-Rating: Because of the schools policies, we are charged based on headcount. The school will not pro-rate what we are charged for each camper, so even if you cannot attend an entire session, you will need to pay for the whole thing.

You are allowed to arrive later or leave earlier, but please let us know in your registration form so we can plan accordingly.

IS THERE A KOSHER FOOD OPTION?

For students who keep Kosher, the school has informed us that there will be Kosher options available.

However, for full transparency, the kitchen is not a “Kosher Kitchen.”

SPECIAL FOOD REQUIREMENTS OR ALLERGIES

There are plenty of Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian and Dairy Free options for all campers. 

The campus caterer does not serve peanuts or other nuts (unless found in ice cream made off campus) but they do have peanut butter available in individual packages.

ARE THERE HOTELS NEARBY YOU RECOMMEND?

For commuter students or folks looking to stay the night before arrivals:

Framingham, Massachusetts is about a 15-minute drive from St. Marks and has a variety of hotels.
(Click Here for a List)

The Westin Hotel in Waltham, Massachusetts is also a nicer hotel for folks looking for a slightly higher level of accommodation.
(Click Here). This is about a 30 minute drive to St. Marks School.

You are also only about a 35-40 minute drive from downtown Boston, where there are numerous hotels.

CAN I COME WATCH THE TRAINING?

Parents are not allowed on-site during the sleep away camp except for commuter student parents who can only come to the designated pick-up areas in our GYM HQ or MAIN BUILDING HQ area.

Parents are invited to arrive early on the departure day to watch the gold medal bouts of the camp tournament, to see the tournament medal ceremony and also to hear a few words from Harvard Coach Daria Schneider and TMFC Founder Tim Morehouse from approximately 9am-111am in the main gym.

WHY THIS CAMP?

This camp is the perfect way to level up your fencing game under the tutelage of incredible coaches and Olympians, nationally and internationally ranked athletes and a staff that aims to provides students with incredible training while creating a lifetime of memories and special experiences along the way.

There are both residential and commuter options for campers with camp groupings for youth, teen and elite in Foil, Saber and Epee. Campers must be a minimum fencing-age of Youth-10 (2013 birth year or later for the 2022-2023 season) to stay on-campus, but students in birth-years 2014-2015 will find a great experience in our daily commuter program. There are many affordable and pleasant hotels nearby.

The campus of St. Mark’s Boarding School offers and idyllic sleep-away camp experience with multiple gyms, modern residence halls, gym facilities, pool, numerous fields and on-site campus store and nurse.

As always, the camp will provide its students with a world-class training experience including metal strips, cross-training, sports psychology, team building, college information sessions as well as leadership development sessions happening during the camp.

The camp is American Camp Association (ACA) accredited and Camp Directors Olympic Silver Medalist Tim Morehouse and Harvard Head Coach Daria Schneider are both ACA certified camp directors with years of experience running camps and training experiences for athletes from Olympic level to youth.