Camp Info
| Ages: | 8–18 |
| Type: | Day |
| Gender: | Co-Ed |
| Setting: | City |
| Sports: | Sports, Sports Training, Fencing |
| Time: |
|
[email protected]
Fresno, CA, USA
Campers spend their time learning the movements, decision-making, and controlled competition that make fencing distinctive. Fresno Fencing Club’s summer program includes an introductory Swordplay track for new fencers and a Competitive track for fencers who are already developing toward tournament play. Instruction is intensive and includes individual attention, with campers practicing the skills of an Olympic and NCAA sport rather than rotating through unrelated activities.
In Swordplay camp, beginners start with footwork and build toward sword technique, tactics, strategy, and daily bouts with other campers. The program also introduces fencing history and the background of the sport. Safety equipment, weapons, and gear are provided for this introductory track, so newcomers can experience the sport with the equipment they need for supervised practice.
Competitive camp is aimed at advanced Youth, Cadet, and Junior fencers in foil and epee. Its training emphasizes rules, advanced strategies, tactics, mental techniques, endurance, and fencing practice. Both tracks take place at the club’s dedicated Fresno facility, which includes electronically scored fencing strips, a fitness room, changing rooms, and a stocked armory. The overall format suits children and teens who enjoy focused skill development, active practice, and the challenge of reading an opponent while refining technique.
| Ages: | 8–18 |
| Type: | Day |
| Gender: | Co-Ed |
| Setting: | City |
| Sports: | Sports, Sports Training, Fencing |
| Time: |
|
You won’t be charged yet. The camp will contact you to confirm all terms first.
You can still submit a quick request to let the camp know you’re interested.
The summer camp program is organized around two fencing pathways. Swordplay Camps introduce new fencers to the sport. Campers begin with basic footwork, then advance into sword techniques, tactics, and strategy. They also learn about fencing history and background, and they cross swords with other campers each day. The introductory track is designed to give participants a practical feel for the skills required before moving into the club’s regular introductory fencing classes.
Competitive Camps are designed for advanced Youth, Cadet, and Junior fencers working in foil or epee. The training is more specialized and focuses on the rules of competitive fencing, advanced strategies and tactics, mental techniques, endurance work, and regular fencing practice. The club describes these camps as preparation for major competition and the next fencing season, with head coach Vladimir Ostatnigrosh designing the training.
Across the summer program, instruction is intensive and includes substantial individual attention. Swordplay sessions run as four-day Monday-through-Thursday camps, while Competitive sessions run Monday through Friday. Rather than combining fencing with a broad mix of camp activities, both tracks keep the day centered on fencing skill, conditioning, practice, and tactical learning.
Fencing safety and etiquette are emphasized as beginners learn the sport. The club’s facility maintains a stocked armory with necessary safety equipment, and the Swordplay camp flyer says USA Fencing safety equipment is provided for participants. That introductory equipment includes a mask, jacket, glove, and rubber-tipped foil. Campers practice in a structured fencing environment where basic footwork and technique come before more advanced tactics and strategy. The published camp information also tells participants to wear loose-fitting pants and tennis shoes and to bring water or a sport drink so they can stay hydrated during the active sessions.
Head coach Vladimir Ostatnigrosh directs the camp program. The club describes him as a former Soviet and Ukrainian champion fencer with a master’s degree in physical education and coaching from the Lviv State Institute of Physical Education and Sport. He previously coached fencing at Stanford University and has trained fencers who compete at international, NCAA, national, and regional levels. Fresno Fencing Club also states that he teaches fencing at Fresno State. The summer camp materials identify him as the coach directing Swordplay sessions and designing the Competitive camp training.
Swordplay campers are instructed to wear loose-fitting pants and tennis shoes and to bring water or a sport drink for hydration. The camp flyer uses an RSVP-and-reserve process and includes a paper registration and payment section. Competitive camp materials likewise note that space is limited and encourage early reservation. Families should use the current official camp materials when enrolling, because the saved flyers are tied to the 2026 summer schedule.
