Harvard Coaches and Olympians Camp 2024
(FAQ)

Where is the Sleep Away Camp Located?

St. Marks Boarding School
25 Marlboro Rd.
Southborough, MA 01772

Find directions to campus: (Click Here)

For those attending, you may receive auto-emails with our Stamford, CT address but this is NOT the address of the camp or any sessions or lessons during the camp. Everything is taking place at the St. Mark’s School.

What Are the Session Dates?

Session 1: Aug. 7-14 (Foil and Epee)
Session 2: Aug. 14-21 (Saber Only)

What is the best way to reach someone at camp?

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

Starting prior to the first week of camp and during the camp, someone will be 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 request a call-back.

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

CHECK-IN and Check-Out
informatioN

Wednesday, Aug. 7 Arrival Day For Session 1

SCHEDULE OVERVIEW

1:00pm-3:00pm (Residential Campers Arrival)
Arrive on campus for check-in and settling into dorm rooms. 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.)

3:00pm-3:30pm (Commuter Campers Arrival)
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.

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)

6:45pm-7:00pm Assemble on Field #1 outside the dorms

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

** Commuter Students will be picked up from the gym 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!)

9:00pm-10:00pm Return From Practice and Prepare for Bed

10:30pm Lights Out

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

STEP 1: ARRIVING AND PARKING ON CAMPUS
While the school address is on Marlboro Road, you will need to enter campus on SCHOOL STREET at the entranceway where the tennis courts will be on either side of you. Drive past the outdoor swimming pool and park in the parking lot right after the swimming pool. (We will try put up signage by this entrance.)

STEP 2: UNLOAD YOUR CAR
With the camper’s bags, take the short walk to the MFAC (gym) building, which is located right by this parking lot. (There will be signage and staff already visible.)

STEP 3: CHECK-IN!
At the check-in desk, we will double check your paperwork and give your camper their dorm and room number.

STEP 4: HEAD INTO THE GYM AND DROP OFF FENCING BAG (NOTE: This is as far as parents can go.)
After dropping their bag off, students will then head to Fencing Gym #1 (The Ice Hockey Rink) to find the seat with their name on it. Staff will be on-hand to assist.

Campers will leave their fencing bag and fencing equipment in the gym and head to their dorms with a staff member. It is recommended that campers not pack too much clothing in their fencing bags since these will remain in the gym throughout the camp week.

STEP 5: Head to the Dorms
Campers will then head to their dorm room with a staff member. (Repeating again: Parents ARE NOT ALLOWED in the dorms as per school policy). Parents can wait to say good bye to their children at the gym.

Once campers get to their room, they will drop off their bags and unpack for a few minutes. After that, they will return to the gym.

STEP 6: Goodbye to Parents
Once the students return from their dorms to the gym, they will say good by to their parents and wait in the gym until it is time to head to the opening ceremonies.

PLEASE NOTE:
We have a lot of campers to process so we ask that once you arrive on-campus you linger no longer than 30-minutes. Parents will not be allowed into the dorms as per the school’s policy.

We ask that everyone please follow the signs and directions from our staff..

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 14
DEPARTURE FOR SESSION 1/ARRIVAL Day For Session 2

** Please see directions above for arrival process

7:00am-8:00am Departing Campers will bring their bags to the fencing gym and be cleared out of their rooms.

8:00am-8:45am Breakfast

9:00am-10:45am Camp Tournament Finals and Medal Ceremonies (Fencing Gym 1)
Parents are invited to attend the Gold Medal matches and medal ceremonies of the camp tournament taking place in Fencing Gym #1. Parents should park in the same lot as where they arrived.

11am-12pm Departure of Campers from Session 1/Campers staying for Both Sessions will have a planned activity

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

(Schedule then follows the same process as arrival day for Session 1 on Aug. 6)

Sunday, Aug. 21
DEPARTURE FOR SESSION 2

7:00am-8:00am Departing Campers will bring their bags to the fencing gym and be cleared out of their rooms.

8:00am-8:45am Breakfast

11am-12pm Departure of Campers from Session 2

Campus Map for arrivals/Departures

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.

Please Note: The Form will be posted here by July 31.

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)

WHAT DO CAMPERS NEED TO BRING? (Packing list)

Please note: this is just general guidance of what campers need to bring and not an exhaustive list.

Fencing Equipment
All campers need to bring a full set of working fencing equipment, including: underarm protector, knickers, white jacket, electric jacket (if applicable), fencing mask, multiple working body cords and head clips.

We recommend bringing 3 working weapons in case weapons break during camp and 2 sets of whites since campers may be more comfortable alternating uniforms between practices as they will be sweating a lot.

Clothing For Practice
We recommend campers have 2-3 pairs of athletic pants, socks, underwear and t-shirts to use PER DAY of camp.

Campers will be sweating at practice and likely need to change clothes at least 1x per day. Campers will not be allowed fence in shorts, so they need long, athletic pants for drills. They can switch into shorts for conditioning portions of practices and sessions.

Footwear
Campers should bring 2-3 pairs of sneakers/fencing shoes for practice. It is also recommended that campers bring sandals to wear in the shower and when 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.

In addition, campers should bring pajamas and several sweatshirts since the temperature may be cooler at night.

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 can bring your own linens or pay the school $75/week for linens. You will specify this on your registration form.

A Fan
This year most students will be staying in the newly opened air-conditioned dorms but we still recommend students bring a fan to be on the safe side if there are hote days.

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.

Cell Phones
Student’s are allowed to have cell phones, but they are not allowed to use them during meals, meetings or practices. 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.

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.

Who Runs The Camp?

The Harvard Coaches and Olympians camp is run by Co-Camp Directors Daria Schneider and Tim Morehouse. 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.

HOW DO THE TRAINING GROUPS WORK?

Please note, the Day One 5-touch tournament will be a major factor in the groupings of students for the first few days of camp. There will be opportunities throughout the week for for students to move up based on performance in camp competitions.

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).

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

WHO WILL MY CHILD ROOM WITH AT CAMP?

Most students will stay in doubles or triples. We do our best to take roommate preferences into account, but it is not possible for us to guarantee a specific roommate in all cases. Please include as many roommate preferences as possible. In situations where we cannot accommodate a roommate preference, we will generally put students in similar areas within the dorm.

WHAT IS A TYPICAL CAMP DAY?

** Subject to change **

DAILY SCHEDULE (SAMPLE)

7:15am-7:45am WAKE UP
8:00am-8:45am BREAKFAST
9:00am-11:30am PRACTICE BLOCK #1 * Commuter students should arrive at the gym at 9:00am for Practice #1
12:30pm-1:30pm LUNCH
2:0pm-4:30pm PRACTICE Block #2
5:00pm-6:00pm. DINNER * (Commuter Pick-up Timeframe #1)
6:30pm-8:30pm PRACTICE #3 (Commuter Pick-Up Timeframe #2 at 8:30pm)
9:15pm-10:15pm EVENING SOCIAL/ACTIVITY/FLEX TIME
10:15pm-10:45pm All Campers Back in Dorms/Prepare for Bed
11:00pm LIGHTS OUT/BED TIME

On some days, there will be alternative activities during an afternoon or evening practice time.

Commuter Students:

Commuter students should arrive after breakfaster (between 8;45am-9:00am).

Parents have the options to pick up commuter students either before dinner (5pm-5:30pm) or after 3rd practice at 9pm.

Other than a later drop-off and pick-up time, commuter students follow the same schedule as residential students.

IS THERE LAUNDRY ON-CAMPUS?

There are coin operated laundry machines on-campus that kids can utilize. They will need to bring thier own detergent and quarters for the machine.

Are there stores on-campus?

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

can students order food from seamless or grub hub?

Students can order Seamless or Grub Hub after practice so long as it arrives before 10pm and they let staff know that they are ordering food. Food for the boys and girls dorm needs to be brought to our Dining Hall Headquarters where staff will be on-hand.

Delivery people are not allowed in the dorms or buildings under any circumstance. Students may not leave campus or go somewhere outisde of the building by themselves without a staff member.

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 MY CHILD BRING SNACKS?

Campers will be provided 3 meals per day; plus, there is an on-campus snack store. However, if you wish to send your child wiht additional snacks you are welcome to do so, as long as they do not require refrigeration. We recommend protein bars, fruit and other non-perishable items. Gatorade and bottles of water are also allowed but not necessary unless you wish to have extra drinks.

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.

Harvard Coaches and Olympians Camp 2024(FAQ)