Sleepaway Camp

Give Your Child the MFC Advantage

Don’t miss this unique opportunity for your child to train with the best while enjoying all the fun and camaraderie of a traditional sleepaway camp. Invest in their fencing future and personal growth at the 18th Annual MFC Sleepaway Camp! Welcome to the 18th Annual MFC Sleepaway Camp—the Premier Fencing Experience for Your Child!

Why Choose MFC Sleepaway Camp?

State-of-the-Art Facilities:

Our host facility offers everything needed for an extraordinary camp experience:

Air-conditioned dorms
Air-conditioned top-tier sports center
Olympic size swimming pool
Soccer fields, tennis courts
Rock climbing center
Game and movie rooms
Hiking trails
And much more!

Elite Training Environment:

Your child will join a community of top-tier fencers, including Olympic and World Medalists, National and NCAA Champions, and National Team members from around the globe

Balanced Camp Experience:

Beyond world-class fencing instruction, campers will make new friends, share unforgettable experiences, and build lifelong memories in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Why Choose MFC Sleepaway Camp?

Legacy of Excellence:

Established in 1996 by Seven-Time Olympic Coach Yury Gelman, we are the longest-running sleepaway fencing camp in the United States. For over two decades, we’ve been setting the standard for saber training.

World-Class Coaching Staff:

Your child will train under the supervision of Coach Gelman and an elite team of U.S. coaches, including Sergey Isayenko, Alexander Sourimto, Alexey Lihachevskiy, Dmitry Boyko, Andrew Lamianski, Sergei Shachanin, Vladimir Lukashenko, and more. Our coaches have a proven track record of producing champions who consistently win national medals.

Proven Success:

Our camp has helped prepare 11 Olympians and 7 Olympic medalists, including the 2024 silver medalist Feres Ferjani. Notable alumni like Ivan Lee, Keeth Smart, Jason Rogers, Dagmara Wozniak, Monica Aksamit, and Daryl Homer, Emma Baratta, Olek Ochocki have become medalists in Cadet, Junior, and Senior World Championships.

General Camp Schedule:

Wake Up – 7 :40am
Meals – 8:30-9am / 1-1:30pm / 6-6:30px / 9-10pm
Physical Preparation – 8am / 3:45-5:45pm
Rest – 1 :30-3:30pm
Fencing Practice – 10am-12:30pm / 7 :30-9 :30pm
Curfew – 10:50-11pm

What to bring:

Fencing Equipment:

To ensure a productive training experience, fencers should bring at least two sets of appropriate equipment for their chosen weapon, including fencing knickers, underarm protectors, three working weapons, three body cords, two mask cords, and extra blades. Please ensure that all equipment is labeled with the fencer’s name. Please note that we will utilize electric scoring equipment for all weapons, in addition to the use of the wireless fencing system. Students who possess a wireless en pointe pocket box are advised to bring it to camp. Limited armory capabilities will be available.

Sleeping bag/blanket, pillow, twin XL sheets, and towels
Soap, shampoo, toiletries, and a hair dryer
3/4 pairs of sneakers (fencing and running sneakers) & 1-2 pairs of flip flops
Swimming suits, suntan lotion, bug spray, and hats/caps
Water bottle for refills
Sufficient clothing for your stay (please note that laundry facilities will not be available)
Raincoat and umbrella
Alarm clock
Detergent (if you plan to do laundry)

What Not to Bring:

To ensure a focused and safe environment, we kindly request that you do not bring iPads, tablets, laptops, expensive headphones, or any valuables that may cause distress if misplaced or lost. Inappropriate items will be confiscated by the camp director for the duration of the camp. Please note that the camp staff and club cannot be held responsible for any lost items. To make sure that nothing needs to be confiscated, we recommend checking your fencer’s bags beforehand. This is particularly important for fencers between the ages of 13 and 17.

Bus Transportation:

Transportation is available from NYC to and from camp. To request a seat on the bus, please fill out this form.

Recommended Car Services for Airport to Mercersburg Academy:

Main Line Taxi & Limo Service mainlinetaxi.com | 610-272-1000

Blacklane blacklane.com

Turner’s Taxi (301-739-8894) or Reliable Ride (301-573-1271)

Major Airports:

1. Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

Distance: ~1 hour 40 minutes (80 miles)
Best major airport option with international and domestic flights

2. Harrisburg International Airport (MDT)

Distance: ~1 hour 30 minutes (85 miles)

3. Baltimore/Washington International (BWI)

Distance: ~2 hours (95 miles)

Private Lessons:

Lessons are available with most coaches. Once you have registered for camp, email us to request lessons.

Roommates:

Students may request roommates by emailing manhattanfencing@gmail.com. While we cannot guarantee all requests, we will do our best to accommodate them. Please note that students must be of the same or similar age when requesting a roommate.

Check-in/Check-out:

On the first day of camp, check is from 3:30pm-4:30pm on August 8th. Check out is 12pm on August 17th.