Welcome to theBarrington Fencing Club!

Interested in a "new", different sport?  Want to improve your conditioning and flexibility?  Did you love the Three Musketeers, The Princess Bride or The Pirates of the Caribbean?  Then fencing may be the sport for you!

What is Fencing?  It's an Olympic sport in which opponents compete against each other with weapons in a defined area to earn points for "touches".  Fencers use blunt-tipped weapons (foil, epee & saber), wear masks and padded, protective clothing.

Purpose/Vision The Barrington Fencing Club (BFC) is an Illinois Not-For Profit corporation that provides a low-cost, Barrington-area location for people of all ages to be introduced to, practice, and become more proficient at the Olympic sport of fencing.  The BFC is a member of the United States Fencing Association (USFA), and carries insurance through the USFA’s club insurance program.

Where and When?  In 2010, the BFC meets on Tuesdays (6:30 - 8:30 PM), in the Community Room of St. Michael's Episcopal Church, Barrington, IL.  St. Michael's is located at 647 Dundee Avenue - on the Northeast corner of Hillside Avenue and Dundee Avenue.  (Note - Dundee Ave. runs North and South between Rte 59 and Lake-Cook Road - it is NOT the same as Dundee Rd. which runs East-West and is also known as Rte 68.)  Each Tuesday session is divided up into 2 portions: newer fencers practice and learn from 6:30-7:30, and more experienced fencers practice from 7:30-8:30.

Minimum Age?  Unless unusually mature for their age, fencers should be at least 9 years old before they start fencing - as a decent attention span is required to learn fencing.  Currently, our most senior fencer (and one of our best) is 75 years young!

What About Equipment?  Members are expected to provide their own equipment – however, a very limited number of sets are available for new fencers to try out the sport.  A complete starter set (foil) of equipment can be purchased for approximately $118 (club prices).  Alternatively, the same starter set is part of the Novice Fencer's Package - which includes beginner lessons and BFC membership for the remainder of the calendar year.

How Much Does it Cost?  Annual membership dues are $50/Individual or $90/Family for a calendar year (January through December).  Rates for members who join after June 30th of each year are reduced ($25/Individual or $45/Family - July through December).  No floor fees.

Do You Offer Beginner Lessons?  For 2010 the BFC is offering lessons for new fencers at approximately 12 week intervals.  Beginning in 2010, students who have never fenced before are welcome to take advantage of our Novice Fencer's Package of equipment and lessons.  In 2010 we are accepting beginner fencers on Jan 5, April 6, June 29, and Sept 14 (these are our "Novice Fencer Nights" - subject to schedule change).  Cost: $140 for as many sessions as you desire for the remainder of the calendar year - which includes beginner lessons, membership in the BFC of the remainder of the calendar year, and equipment (fencing mask, foil, glove, jacket and equipment bag - all of which the student gets to keep).  When novice fencers are more accomplished they're welcome to bout with other members every Tuesday night for the remainder of the calendar year.

What If I Already Know How To Fence?  The BFC welcomes fencers of all skill levels at any time.  If you are already an experienced fencer and have your own equipment, all you need do is pay your annual membership fee, bring your equipment, and you're permitted to fence on any Tuesday night.  If you don't have equipment, you'll need to procure your own (or we can help you order it).

If you're interested, just show up on any Tuesday evening to check us out.  However, as noted above, beginners will start on designated "Novice Fencer Nights".  If you want to see what goes on, while we don't require that you contact us by email first (barringtonfencingclub@hotmail.com); however, it is appreciated - as it helps us plan our evenings.  For more details, send an email to the above email address, or send one via the "Contact Us" button below.