Brown Fencing Camp - RIFAC | Rhode Island Fencing Academy & Club

Take your fencing to the next level this summer!

Up Your Competitive Game with Brown Fencing Coaches

Co-ed competitive camp
Foil, Epee and Saber
Ages 12-18
Train at the state-of-the-art facility of RIFAC, home to the Brown Bears Fencing Team
Work with Brown Fencing Head Coach Alex Ripa and the Brown coaching staff
Perfect tune-up for Summer Nationals (June section)
Visit the beautiful Brown University campus in Providence, RI

Brown Coach Alex Ripa

Alex is the Head Coach and owner of RIFAC, and is the Head Coach at Brown University. He was named Coach of the Year in 2016 by the US Fencing Coaches Association (USFCA). He coaches successful international competitors, members of the US Cadet/Junior and US Veteran World Teams, Ivy League and NCAA champions.

Camp Description

Coed ages 12-18 by the start of camp

The Bears Elite Fencing Camp will offer competitive fencers an opportunity to work with Brown’s awesome coaching staff and elevate their fencing to the next level. This is an excellent camp for fencers interested in competing at the national and collegiate level. The June section is also the perfect tune-up camp for those heading to Summer Nationals.

Join us for instruction in all three weapons, with a special focus on mental preparation. Campers will achieve improvement in footwork, bladework, tactics, and mental toughness while working with Head Coach Alex Ripa and the Brown staff, who approach training with a focus on athlete individuality.

Coach Ripa will teach athletes to expect the best from themselves and will guide them to expand their best attributes that make them unique! Come join us this summer for hard work, lots of learning, and lots of fun in the Ocean State!

Required Fencing Equipment
Since this is a competitive camp, fencers are required to have all of their own equipment. This includes everything they would use at a competition: underarm protector, jacket, glove, mask, knickers, fencing socks and sneakers, lame (foil or saber), 2 body cords and at least 2 electric weapons.

This camp is open to any and all entrants, limited only by number, age, grade level and/or gender.

See Camp Details and Housing Options

Schedule/Camp Details

This camp will take place at RIFAC, which is located just a few miles from the Brown campus. RIFAC is home to the Brown Bears Fencing Team.

RIFAC has 14 full sized grounded strips, air-conditioning, and all the training equipment needed for fencing at the highest level.

Participants can either pack their own lunch or may purchase lunch each day for an additional cost.

Week One: June 15-18, 2020 (Monday- Thursday)- POSTPONED

Week Two: July 20-23, 2020 (Monday-Thursday)

Cost: $725

Week One Schedule

Please note the schedule below is tentative and subject to change

Monday – Wednesday
8:30 – 9:00 am • Arrive at RIFAC
9:00 am -12:00 pm • Warm-up, Footwork, Conditioning, Mental Toughness/Goal Setting, Group Lesson
12:00 – 1:00pm • Lunch*
1:00 – 4:00 pm • Group and Individual Lessons, Structured Bouting, Competitive Fencing
4:00 pm • Dismissal from RIFAC

Thursday
8:30 – 9am • Arrive at RIFAC
9:00 am – 12:00 pm • Warm-up, Footwork, Conditioning, Mental Toughness/Goal Setting, Group Lesson
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm • Lunch*
1:00 – 4 pm • Competitive Team Events/ NCAA style tournament
4:00 – 4:30 pm • Dismissal from Camp

Evening Activities may include Brown Campus Tour, Movie Night, and Game Night at RIFAC.

*Campers can either pack their own lunch or may purchase lunch each day for an additional cost.

Week Two Schedule

Please note the schedule below is tentative and subject to change.

Monday – Wednesday
8:30 – 9am • Arrive at RIFAC
9:00 am -12:00 pm • Warm-up, Footwork, Conditioning, Mental Toughness/Goal Setting, Group Lesson
12:00 – 1:00pm • Lunch*
1:00 – 4:00 pm • Group and Individual Lessons, Structured Bouting, Competitive Fencing
4:00 pm • Dismissal

Evening Activities may include Brown Campus Tour, Movie Night, and Game Night at RIFAC.

*Campers can either pack their own lunch or may purchase lunch each day for an additional cost.

enroll in bears elite fencing camp

Housing Options

COVID-19 Update: Due to the RIIA most likely being closed this summer, we will be shifting to the same lodging model as used in previous years for the Bears Elite Camp. The Clarion Inn in Seekonk (listed below) will be our host hotel, with a RIFAC staff member staying there as a point of contact for fencers traveling independently. The Clarion Inn is open and accepting reservations at this time. More details will be posted shortly. Of course, there are also many hotel and Air BNB options nearby RIFAC, as well, for fencers traveling with parents.

Rhode Island International Academy (RIIA) 75 East Street, Providence, RI

This year we are pleased to have partnered with the Rhode Island International Academy (RIIA) to provide accommodations for camp participants at their newly renovated dormitory located on the East Side of Providence, just a 1/2 mile and an easy walk to the Brown campus. http://www.riaglobaleducation.org/ria-campus

All meals (including lunch to bring to camp), supervision, transportation to/from RIFAC, sheets and free laundry will be provided. Rooms are double or triple occupancy with up to 4 people sharing a suite. There is also a great lobby area with a movie projector and karaoke machine, a game room, lounge and an outside courtyard area for socializing after camp hours.

Rate: $115/night Deadline: 30 days prior to camp start date

For reservations, please complete the form below or contact Short-term Programs Manager, Tiffany Lu at shorttermprograms@aiepusa.com or (203) 522-3254

RIIA Registration Form

Additional Hotel Option

Clarion Inn Seekonk-Providence 940 Fall River Avenue, Seekonk, MA, 02771 (508) 336-7300

Rate: $99/night

Please call hotel for reservations. Deadline for June camp is 5/18, deadline for July camp is 6/20.

For fencers traveling with parents, the Clarion Hotel is conveniently located less than 2 miles from RIFAC. This hotel has a nice pool and courtyard area. Breakfast is included and there is a restaurant onsite, as well.

We offer courses for all levels and ages: boys, girls and women and men.

Bears Elite

2020 Fencing Summer Camp