If you’re looking for youth fencing classes in Boulder, there’s one club: Northern Colorado Fencers. We’ve been training competitive fencers from this location since 1979, and we’re the only dedicated fencing club in the city.
What Makes NCF Different
NCF isn’t a generalist sports program. We are an epee-focused fencing academy led by Gary Copeland, the 1999 US Olympic Committee Fencing Coach of the Year. In his 47 years of coaching, Gary has produced 46 individual national champions, over 800 national finalists, and 64 World and Pan American team selections.
This isn’t history. In 2025, NCF youth fencer Maddie Burks won a Pan American silver medal in Lima, Peru. We currently have 5 A-rated epee fencers in active training, the highest USA Fencing competitive rating.
Your child would be learning from the same coaching staff that has produced internationally competitive fencers for nearly five decades.
Programs for Young Fencers
Ages 7+. Youth fencing programs follow a stage-based progression: Foundations, Training, and Advanced. All equipment is provided at entry level.
- Free Trial Lesson. Your first visit. No commitment, no cost, all equipment included.
- 6-Week Intro Course. A structured on-ramp for beginners with evaluation and pathway recommendation.
- Monthly Programs. Stage-based training from Foundations through Advanced. See current pricing.
- Summer Day Camps. Week-long immersive fencing experiences.
New fencers start with fundamentals and advance based on readiness and demonstrated skill, not age or seniority.
Why Fencing in Boulder
Boulder families invest heavily in premium youth activities. Fencing offers something most activities don’t:
- Individual accountability. No bench. No coach politics. Every bout is yours.
- Intellectual depth. Fencing is called “physical chess” because it rewards strategic thinking, pattern recognition, and adaptability.
- College pathway. Fencing has the highest high-school-to-college conversion rate of any sport. 45 NCAA programs are concentrated at schools like Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, and Duke.
- Safety. Fencing has a 2.5% injury rate, compared to 30%+ for soccer. It’s one of the safest competitive sports.
Location and Contact
NCF Boulder 1949 33rd Street, Boulder, CO 80301
Your first lesson is free. Book a trial or email us at ncfboulder@gmail.com.