Northwest Fencing Center

Outstanding community for anyone interested in fencing – from the novice to Olympic calibre. The coaching staff is amazining, able to tailor their instruction to each individual fencer. Coaches work hard to simultaneously build a phenomenal sense of comradry between athletes while encouraging them to constantly strive for their best. Students work hard and play hard in an atmosphere that is amazingly supportive, particularly in light of the fact that fencing is seen by most as a highly individual sport.

Through the years, my boys have attended dozens of different summer camps in the Portland metro area. Sports camps, arts camps, city camps and YMCA camps. This summer we gave Northwest Fencing Center a try and for one son it was the highlight of his summer.
He is my renaissance kid and wanted to spend his entire summer riding horses, acting, learning archery, fencing and attending Renaissance Faires. If there were a camp where you could build your own set of armor, he would have been first in line.
The staff were nice and the camp was for a variety of ages. When I would arrive a few minutes early for the pick-​up, all the kids would be playing a form of team tag, but following the fencing rules they learned earlier in the day. Even though they all wore fencing gear and masks, I could always pick out my son because of his enthusiasm and he would yell, «Huzzah» every time he bested an opponent.
The only negatives are that this was a half day camp. As a working parent, I would have preferred longer hours. Also, their facility is geographically undesirable for our family. Convenient for many since it is just a few minutes off 217, but doing two round trips a day (especially during the morning commute hours) from my area were a drag. This is also the only reason why he isn’t taking classes this fall.
Fencing is a bit of a hot sport in our area, especially during the summer Olympic years since we have several competitors that train and teach in our area. Definitely more interesting and more active than making a clay ashtray.

We’ve been here for just over a year, and I can’t say enough about how wonderful the community here is. Great activity for kids less inclined to team sports.

Excellent accessible youth fencing that blends technique, fitness, and play for all ages. The coaches have superior credentials as athletes, but are also patient and grounded with an eye for detail and an efficient manner of instruction.

My daughter found NW Fencing Center through an after-​school program at her school. The coaches came up for 5 classes and introduced kids to the sport. After the first lesson she was hooked. The games are fun and work on their endurance and lessons teach patience, agility and skill. She is now in one of the more advanced classes and competes regularly. The atmosphere is friendly and caring and she has had the opportunity to fence Olympians and National Champions — and she’s only 12! The older kids in the club reach down and help the younger ones learn and grow in the sport. She is surrounded by excellent role models and aspires to fence at college. I would highly recommend the Center and the Sport of Fencing.

My daughter started lesson this spring. Being new wasn’t a problem melding in, the teachers are fantastic, the lessons are clear and concise and the first one is free! Thank you for the new hobby, this is just what we were looking for.

we travel from Seattle in order for my son to learn from the coaches here. They are wonderful. Great place.
Fencing is a great sport for kids. teaches strategy, concentration, self control and it is a great workout. A Boy + a weapon? What could be better?

An amazing facility with friendly staff. Coaches are great with beginners and world class fencers alike. Fun for all ages, highly recommended.