If you're signing your child up for fencing camp and wondering whether you need to buy a mask, jacket, and sword before day one—you don't. Most beginner fencing camps provide all the equipment kids use, from protective gear to practice weapons, at no extra cost.
This guide covers exactly what's included in loaner gear and what you still need to pack from home. It also covers when it makes sense to invest in your child's own fencing kit.
What Equipment Do Beginner Fencing Camps Provide for Kids?
Yes, most beginner fencing camps provide all the gear your child will use—mask, jacket, glove, and weapon—at no extra cost. Camps typically supply sanitized loaner equipment that staff size and fit to each child on arrival. For younger kids, usually ages 6–8, many programs use lighter plastic weapons that are easier to handle and less intimidating for first-timers.
This matters because a full beginner fencing kit runs anywhere from $150–$300 if you buy it yourself. Camps providing equipment removes that upfront cost entirely, which makes sense when your child is just trying the sport for the first time.
You won't know if they'll love fencing or lose interest after a week. There's no reason to invest in gear before they've had a chance to experience it.
One thing to keep in mind: while fencing equipment is covered, you're still responsible for bringing personal items like athletic clothes, sneakers, and lunch. More on that below.
What Fencing Gear Do Camps Provide for Kids?
Fencing gear looks different from anything your child has probably worn for other sports. The full set is often called a "fencing kit," and each piece has a specific job. Here's what camps typically provide:
Fencing mask
The mask is a mesh face covering that protects the entire head, face, and throat. It looks a bit like a beekeeper's helmet, with a sturdy bib that wraps around the neck. Camps provide masks that meet USFA (United States Fencing Association) safety standards, so you don't have to worry about whether the protection is adequate.
Fencing jacket and underarm protector
The jacket is a thick, padded top that covers the torso and arms. It absorbs the impact when your child gets hit, which happens constantly in fencing—that's the whole point of the sport.
Underneath the jacket, on the weapon arm side, fencers wear something called a plastron. This is an extra protective layer that covers the armpit and part of the chest.
The plastron exists because the jacket's seams create small gaps where a blade could slip through. The armpit is a particularly vulnerable spot during a lunge.
Fencing glove
The glove protects the weapon hand and wrist. It's thicker and more padded than a regular athletic glove, with a long cuff that extends partway up the forearm.
Camps stock both left-handed and right-handed gloves. During check-in, staff will ask which hand your child uses and fit them accordingly.
Fencing weapon for foil or saber
Beginners use practice weapons sized for their age and height. The two most common weapons at youth camps are foil and saber, and they work differently:
Foil: A thrusting weapon where fencers score by hitting the opponent's torso with the tip of the blade
Saber: A cutting and thrusting weapon where fencers can score with the edge of the blade or the tip, targeting anything above the waist
Your child's camp track determines which weapon they'll learn. Some camps offer both, which lets families see which one clicks.
Body cord and lamé for electric scoring
Once kids move past the very basics, they start using electric scoring equipment. This is how competitive fencing works—a machine registers touches instead of a referee watching by eye.
The body cord is a wire that runs from the weapon, up the sleeve, and out the back of the jacket. It plugs into a reel connected to the scoring machine.
The lamé (pronounced "la-MAY") is a metallic vest worn over the jacket. When the weapon tip hits the lamé, it completes an electrical circuit and the machine lights up.
Beginners don't always use electric equipment on day one. Camps provide it once kids are ready to bout (fence against each other in practice matches).
What to Bring to Fencing Camp Besides the Gear
Fencing equipment is covered, but you're responsible for everything else your child wears and carries. Here's what to pack:
Athletic clothing and long socks
Your child will wear their own athletic clothes underneath the fencing equipment. Bring an extra t-shirt and a pair of leggings or sweatpants. Children cannot fence in shorts.
Indoor sneakers with non-marking soles
Fencing footwork requires flat, supportive shoes with good lateral stability. Court shoes—like tennis or volleyball shoes—work well because they're designed for quick side-to-side movement.
Running shoes aren't ideal. The thick, cushioned soles reduce the ground feel fencers rely on for quick direction changes. The elevated heel can throw off balance during lunges.
Water bottle and packed lunch
Full-day camps run 6–8 hours, and fencing is physically demanding. Your child will need:
A refillable water bottle (at least 16 oz)
Lunch with protein for sustained energy
1–2 snacks for breaks between sessions
Any medications or allergy items
Knee-length athletic pants or sweatpants
These go under the fencing knickers for comfort and protection. Shorts don't work—they leave skin exposed between the knickers and socks. This causes discomfort during the hundreds of lunges your child will do throughout the day.
Sweatpants or athletic leggings are both fine. The key is full leg coverage.
Is Loaner Fencing Equipment Safe and Clean for Kids?
This is one of the most common questions parents ask, and it's a fair concern. Shared equipment sounds less than ideal, especially masks and gloves that absorb sweat.
Do fencing camps provide equipment for kids? Yes—reputable camps clean and sanitize loaner gear between uses. Masks and jackets are deodorized after each session, and high-touch items like gloves get extra attention.
Staff also inspect equipment regularly for wear—checking mask mesh for dents, jacket padding for thin spots, and weapon blades for cracks.
Here's what to look for when evaluating a camp's equipment standards:
Sanitization process: Ask how often gear is cleaned and what products are used
Safety inspections: Find out if staff check equipment before each session or just periodically
Sizing practices: Good camps fit each child individually rather than handing out random sizes
At Brooklyn Bridge Fencing Club, we maintain loaner equipment to the same standards we'd use for our own competitive fencers. Every piece gets inspected, cleaned, and stored properly between uses.
How Foil and Saber Camp Equipment Differs
If your child's camp offers both foil and saber, the weapon choice affects some of the gear they'll wear. The differences come down to where fencers can score valid touches.
In foil, only touches to the torso count, so the lamé covers just that area. In saber, the entire upper body is valid target, including the arms and head. That is why saber fencers wear a conductive mask overlay and a lamé that extends down the arms.
Camps providing both weapons will fit your child with the right lamé and mask for whichever discipline they're learning. At BBFC, our summer camps offer both foil and saber tracks, so families can try each weapon and see which one fits their fencer's style.
When to Buy Your Child Their Own Fencing Equipment
Since camps provide equipment for kids, there's no rush to buy anything before your child has committed to the sport. That said, there are natural points where owning personal equipment starts to make sense.
1. After they commit to weekly group classes
Once your child enrolls in ongoing classes, owning a glove and weapon improves comfort and hygiene. The glove is usually the first purchase—it's relatively affordable ($20–$40) and eliminates the shared-glove factor that some kids find unpleasant.
A personal weapon comes next. Having the same foil or saber every session helps your child develop consistent blade feel, which matters as their technique improves.
2. Before their first local tournament
Tournaments typically require personal equipment that meets USFA safety standards. A good starting purchase includes a mask, glove, and weapon. Your child's coach can recommend specific brands and verify that gear meets competition requirements before you buy.
3. Once they enter competitive training
At the competitive level, full personal kit is expected. This includes everything from mask to body cord, plus backup weapons in case something breaks mid-tournament.
Coaches can advise on quality brands, proper fit, and where to find good value. Buying fencing equipment is an investment, and guidance from someone who knows the sport helps families avoid expensive mistakes.
Start Your Child's Fencing Journey at Brooklyn Bridge Fencing Club
At BBFC, we provide all equipment for summer camps, beginner classes, and introductory private lessons. Our full-day Brooklyn Fencing Camp runs 9am–5pm for ages 6–16, with both foil and saber tracks available.
Intro private lessons are available for children ages 4 and up at $49 for a 20-minute session.
Founded by Olympian and U.S. Fencing Hall of Fame member Dan Kellner, BBFC is one of only five clubs nationwide to produce Olympic and World Championship medalists in foil. Our nearly 8,000 square-foot facility in Dumbo features 20 full-length fencing strips—one of the largest training spaces in New York City.
Whether your child is trying fencing for the first time or seeking a competitive home, we provide equipment, coaching, and community support.