GENERAL INFORMATION FOR BEGINNERS

School Closings

If there are any questions regarding school closing due to weather, holidays, etc., we will always leave an announcement on the academy phone number answering machine:  609-397-7551.  If you hear the normal outgoing message & doesn’t specifically state that we are closed, then we are OPEN.  Please do not leave a message requesting a call back to confirm that we are open or closed.

Important Numbers

Academy Phone: (outgoing info. only) 609-397-7551. 

Business Office Number: 215-862-6112. This is your best chance of getting a live person during the day Wednesday through Friday. You can also leave a message for Mark or Lisa or just a general message for one of the instructors. This is also our fax number.


GENERAL EXPECTATIONS FOR OUR STUDENTS

PROMPTNESS
 
If you are enrolled in classes at the BCAF, we expect that you will arrive at least 15 minutes before class starts so you will have time to change, do some stretching and basic warm up exercises and be geared-up and on the strip ready to start at the scheduled class time.

WHAT TO WEAR/BRING 

No "specialized" clothing is required during the Beginners’ Course however; we do recommend wearing sweats or some type of leg wear that stretches and will allow you to move freely. Footwear can be tennis shoes, indoor soccer shoes, basic sneakers etc. Jeans and clunky shoes are not suitable for fencing. Please bring a water bottle with you! As you progress, you will be physically exerting yourself. Water is especially important during the warm summer months.

SAFETY 

When you enter the fencing room off the street please make sure your shoes are clean and walk around the strips.  For participation in class, you should carry in the shoes you will be wearing separately, and put them on before class.  DO NOT WEAR YOUR STREET SHOES FOR CLASS AND TRACK DIRT OR WATER ACROSS THE STRIPS.  It creates a dangerous situation for the fencers!

If fencing is in progress on the strips, STAY AWAY FROM THE STRIPS.   Please wait for a break in the action and make sure the fencers are aware of your presence before crossing the strips.  It is impolite to the fencers and dangerous to you if you are standing too close to the side of the strip or attempt to get across the strips in the middle of the action.  In addition, bear in mind that, while the action at that moment may be at one end of the strip, fencers may move from one end of the strip to the other very fast!

And remember……. Never point a foil at anyone if they are not properly suited up and wearing a mask and jacket.

We look forward to making your fencing experience and time with us fun and rewarding!