World's Largest Fencing School
Each sword has different rules and a target area. The object is to hit the opponent on the valid target area without being hit. Camps cover primarily foil, a light thrusting sword with some instruction in sabre, the modern equivalent of the cavalry sword, and epee, the modern dueling sword. Students practice footwork, handwork and strategy formation. By the end of the course, fencers will be able to referee matches.
| Date | Morning Session | Afternoon Session |
|---|---|---|
| July 19 - 23 | 9:00 am – 10:30 am | |
| July 26 - 30 | 9:00 am – 10:30 am | |
| Aug. 9 - 13 | 9:00 am – 10:30 am |
| Date | Morning Session | Afternoon Session |
|---|---|---|
| June 28 - July 2 | 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm | |
| July 12 - 16 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm | |
| July 19 - 23 | 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm | |
| July 26 - 30 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm | |
| Aug. 2 - 6 | 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm | |
| Aug. 9 - 13 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm | |
| Aug. 16 - 20 | 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm | |
| Aug. 23 - 27 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm | |
| Aug. 30 - Sept 3 CLOSED | 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm |
The Virginia Academy of Fencing is one of only a few schools in North America to offer systematic instruction in rapier and the two-handed sword which are the roots of modern fencing. Students are introduced to the sword arts that were practiced on battlefields and dueling grounds of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The practice swords used in the camps are the shinai, made of bamboo, and the foil. By the end of the camp, students will understand different styles of swordsmanship used throughout history.
| Date | Morning Session | Afternoon Session |
|---|---|---|
| June 21 - 25 | 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm | |
| June 28 - July 2 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm | |
| July 12 - 16 | 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm | |
| July 19 - 23 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm | |
| July 26 - 30 | 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm | |
| Aug. 2 - 6 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm | |
| Aug. 9 - 13 | 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm | |
| Aug. 16 - 20 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm | |
| Aug. 23 - 27 | 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm | |
| Aug. 30 - Sept 3 CLOSED | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm |
Equipment: A mask, jacket, and sword are provided. This does not include a glove for Olympic Sport or a pair of gloves for Historical Swordsmanship, which the student must bring. Fencing gloves are available for purchase starting at $20. Students are encouraged to bring a bagged lunch and snack.
This camp offers a more serious approach that refines the fundamentals of the Beginning I camp. The goal is to prepare students for the intermediate level where they may fence other students without close supervision. New techniques designed to rapidly improve knowledge of the basics are introduced as well as how to fence using electric equipment. Students also are introduced to the Historical Swordsmanship program.
| Date | Morning Session | Afternoon Session |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 23 - 27 | 9:00 am - 10:30 am |
| Date | Morning Session | Afternoon Session |
|---|---|---|
| July 26 - 30 | 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm | |
| Aug 30 - Sep 3 | 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm | |
This camp offers an expanded study of Renaissance and Medieval swordfighting styles. New techniques are explored allowing students to engage in more independent sparring. The goal is to prepare students for the intermediate level where they may fence other students without close supervision. Students also are introduced to the Olympic Sport program.
| Date | Morning Session | Afternoon Session |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 12 - 16 | 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm | |
| Aug 2 - 6 | 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm |
June 28 – July 2: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
July 19 – 23: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm
August 2 – 6: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm
August 16 – 20: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm
OPEN TO ALL INTERMEDIATE
COMPETITIVE & NON-COMPETITIVE
OLYMPIC SPORT FENCERS
ALL SKILL LEVELS
DRY AND ELECTRIC
FOIL, SABRE, EPEE
IMPROVES TECHNIQUE AND REFINES
HANDWORK, FOOTWORK,
AND STRATEGY
August 23 – 27: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm **CLOSED**
OPEN TO ALL VAF MEMBERS
A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR
SPORT FENCERS TO BE INTRODUCED
TO THE HISTORICAL SWORDSMANSHIP PROGRAM
TWO HANDED SWORD AND RAPIER
STUDENTS WILL USE THE STAFF, THE DAGGER, SWORD AND SHIELD, AND EVEN PRACTICE UNNARMED TECHNIQUES THAT WERE USED IN THE MIDDLE AGES AND RENAISSANCE.
Registration
Phone: Call (703) 321-4922 to sign up with a VAF representative
Fax: Send to (703) 321-3585
In Person: Visit us weekdays: 9:30 am to 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm to 11pm; Saturdays and Sundays: 9 am to 3 pm
Mail: Send registration to Virginia Academy of Fencing
5401-B Port Royal Rd., Springfield, VA 22151
Private lessons are also available for sport or historical students who require scheduling flexibility or more personal attention.