Bears Elite

2021 Fencing Summer Camp

June 21-24

register for bears elite fencing camp

Take your fencing to the next level this summer!

Up Your Competitive Game

  • Co-ed competitive camp
  • Foil, Epee and Saber
  • Ages 12-18
  • Train at RIFAC’s state-of-the-art facility
  • Work with Brown Fencing Head Coach Alex Ripa
  • Perfect tune-up for Summer Nationals
  • Visit the beautiful Brown University campus in Providence, RI
register for bears elite fencing camp
Brown Coach Alex Ripa
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. RIFAC is home to the Brown Bears Varsity Women’s Fencing Team and the Brown Bears Men’s Club Team.

This is an excellent camp for fencers interested in competing at the national and collegiate level. It 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. Participants 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.

This camp is not sponsored nor hosted by Brown University, but rather is under the sole supervision and control of RIFAC.

 

See Camp Details and Housing Options

register for bears elite fencing camp

Schedule/Camp Details

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

Please find RIFAC COVID guidelines and additional resources here: https://rifac.com/rifac-covid-19-update/

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.

Dates: June 21-24, 2021 (Monday- Thursday)

Cost: $725

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

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

Camp Extras

Evening Activities are organized for fencers and may include a Brown Campus Tour, Movie Night, Game Night and a special camp-end dinner at Flatbread Pizza Company.

A special Meet and Greet with Coach Alex will be held for all camp participants and parents at RIFAC on Sunday, June 20 from 4-6pm

enroll in bears elite fencing camp

Housing Options

2021 Update: Due to COVID-19, the dorms at RIIA in Providence are still currently closed. In the meantime, we are planning to use the same accommodations we have successfully used for the past three years with the host hotel below.

Host Hotel 

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

Rate: $99/night

Please call hotel for reservations.

A Bears Elite camp staff member will be on site at the Clarion to assist with check-in and as a point of contact throughout the week for participants traveling without a parent/ guardian. Breakfast is included and there is a restaurant onsite for dinner. Many other local food options are nearby. Participants can either pack their own lunch or may purchase lunch each day at the camp for an additional cost. There is also a pool and courtyard area to gather and socialize. Transportation to/from RIFAC will be provided daily.

 

Resuming for Summer 2022:

RIIA

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

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

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