Camp Information & Policies

Camp DATES

Aug. 2-9, 2026 Session 1 (Saber, Foil & Epee)
Aug. 9-16, 2026 Session 2 (Saber Only)

Space is limited. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, and the camp filled with a waiting list last year.
Early registration is strongly recommended to secure a spot and save money.

Camp LOCATION

St. Marks Boarding School
25 Marlboro Rd.
Southborough, MA 0177

Camp Rates & Deadlines

Deadline #1 — Register By January 15 (Save $500 Per Session)
1 Session: Residential: $2,750 | Commuter: $2,500
2 Sessions: Residential $5,000 | Commuter: $4500

Deadline #2 — Register by March 19 (Save $250 Per Session)
1 Session: Residential: $3,000 / Commuter: $2,750
2 Sessions: Residential $5,500 / Commuter: $5,000

Final Deadline — April 30
Residential: $3,250 / session • $6,000 / 2 sessions
Commuter: $3,000 / session • $5,500 / 2 sessions

Who Can Attend?

The camp is open to any and all entrants (limited only by number and age) in all 3-weapons with a minimum age of 11 to attend as a residential camper and a minimum age of 8 to attend as a commuter camper.
(This the Campers age on January, 1 2027)

What is included in the camp?

• Three meals per day, all served on campus (for residential campers) & two meals per day (lunch & dinner) for commuter campers.

• Housing in supervised, air-conditioned dormitories (For Residential campers)

• Fully air-conditioned training facilities

• Full training days with 2–3 daily fencing practices, plus cross-training and performance-focused sessions

• Camp Tournament, giving athletes meaningful competitive experience

• Private Lessons & Small group training sessions are available at additional cost

enrichment Activities

• College recruiting seminar led by college coaches include Harvard, Columbia & Princeton

• 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 college Varsity team fencing team members, who also serve as camp counselors alongside TMFC’s Fencing Corps staff—offering valuable insights into college life and fencing pathways

• Referee Training Seminar: (Additional Cost) This year, two-time Olympic Team Captain Jeff Bukantz will lead a comprehensive Referee Training Seminar and will be administered the USA Fencing referees test to participants.

• Swimming: 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.

This camp is designed to help athletes train, live, recover, and grow together—physically, mentally, and competitively—while building habits that translate to long-term success and prepare them for life as a college-fencer.

ABOUT THE CAMPUS

The camp is hosted on the beautiful campus of St. Mark's School in Southborough, Massachusetts—one of the nation’s most highly regarded boarding schools.

School Website: (Click Here)

DORMS

Campers stay in air-conditioned dormitories and train in air-conditioned athletic facilities, providing a comfortable and focused environment throughout the week. The campus is scenic, spacious, and secure, offering an ideal setting for high-level training and community building.

The 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. (Students need to bring detergent)

• For the 2026 summer, the room temperatures will be set and locked to approximately 70°F by the school.
  Students will not have the ability to adjust the temperature in their individual rooms.

All meals are provided on campus in the school’s dining facilities, creating a true residential experience where athletes can live, train, and bond together in one place. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated, including gluten-free options, and the kitchen operates as a nut-free environment. Kosher meals are not available from the campus kitchen. However, there are some options for those campers keeping Kosher.

Camp Refund & PRO RATING Policy

We understand that unexpected situations can arise, and we encourage all families to please read the refund policy carefully before registering.

• Before June 1: Refunds are available minus a $750 security deposit.

• June 1 – June 30: a 50% refund of tuition paid may be issued.

• After July 1: No refunds will be issued, as full payment will have been made to the school for all registered campers. No Exceptions.

• Once camp has begun: If a camper starts camp and is unable to complete the camp for any reason, including but not limited to injury, illness, homesickness, or being asked to leave due to a violation of camp policies, no refunds, credits, or exchanges will be provided.

• Credits & Transfers: There are no credits, exchanges, or transfers are available for the sleep-away camp.

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

Because of the schools policies, we are charged based on headcount so there is no pro-rating of the camp tuition. You are allowed to arrive later or leave earlier, but please let us know in your registration form so we can plan accordingly.

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.
In situations where we cannot accommodate a roommate preference, we will generally put students in adjacent rooms to their friends.

Students also must stay with their assigned weapon group. Male and female siblings may not room together, and siblings with significant age differences will generally be placed in different rooms, as students are grouped on dorm halls and floors also by age, along with supervision and program considerations.

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.

How do The training groups work?

Initial group placement during the first days of camp will be informed in part by the “Day One - 5-touch Marathon Tournament”, which helps ensure athletes are training at the appropriate competitive level. Throughout the week, mini-group tournaments and performance evaluations provide opportunities for students to move up groups as they progress. In addition, there are generally groups made for students in the in the youth 8–10 age ranges.

Importantly, group placement does not limit who students fence. There are many opportunities throughout the week for athletes to fence across groups, including multiple open bouting sessions. On several evenings, the third practice is dedicated to open bouting, allowing students to fence anyone in the camp, regardless of age group or level.

WHAT DOEs a Typical day look like?

Each day at camp is thoughtfully structured but not identical. Session timing and activities may vary depending on the campus schedule, special guest coaches, and training priorities. Along the way, athletes can expect delightful surprises, special college-focused sessions, and occasional evening programs designed to maximize learning, recovery, and fun.

Commuter students arrive on-campus after breakfast at 9:30am and may be picked up either at 5:30 PM after dinner or at 8:30 PM following the evening practice.Throughout the week, campers also take part in a variety of enriching activities, including:

new policies & Guidelines for the 2026 summer camp

The below items are updates to camp policies from previous summers. We will be updating registered campers over the coming months with more information as we get closer to the start of camp

❗Communication & Device Policy

To support a fully engaged, present, and connected camp experience, personal cell phones, computers, and video-gaming devices are not permitted for campers under 18.

This policy is intentional and consistent with best practices at high-quality sleep-away camps.

Our goal is to help athletes:

• Fully immerse in training and recovery

• Build independence and confidence

• Develop problem-solving and communication skills

• Form meaningful connections with teammates and staff

• Spend their dorm time on recovery, and social bonding which are critical to having the best experience.

Campers are encouraged to work through small challenges—such as roommate adjustments or daily concerns—directly with our staff, who are trained to support them.

If a camper is injured, ill, or experiencing a situation that requires parent involvement, we will contact families promptly. If a camper needs to reach a parent, staff will arrange a limited, supervised call.

We appreciate your partnership in helping create a focused, supportive, and distraction-free camp environment. Any phones or electronic devices found by staff will be confiscated until the end of the camp

📞 Emergency Communication

Parents may contact the Camp Director and camp staff at any time in case of emergency. A dedicated emergency phone number will be provided prior to camp.

📬 Scheduled Check-Ins

After the first 2 days, campers will have designated supervised call times during the week using camp phones to connect briefly with parents during flex times in a designated call area.

📧 Camp Updates

Parents will receive regular email updates, photos, and highlights throughout the week so you can stay connected to your athlete’s experience.

📨 Non-Emergency Messages

Parents may email the camp office, and staff will relay important messages to campers.📞 Emergency Communication

Parents may email the camp office, and staff will relay important messages to campers.

Academic Device Exemptions

Campers who require a laptop for academic purposes (such as SAT preparation or mandatory coursework) may apply for an academic exemption. Approved devices may only be used during designated, supervised times. An exemption request form will be shared prior to camp.

There are no exemptions to the cell phone policy.