Easy Fencing Exposure: Idea

[Mr Epee]

I just got a phone call from frantic lady at a local day care program.

She was trying to book fieldtrip activities for their summer program, and hoped that we would be open to the idea of letting them come for a visit, and we’ll provide a fencing demonstration and a short chat about the benefits of healthy physical activity.

There will be about 30 kids total (Ages 6-11) split over two days for one hour each.

She said that she had been having problems finding places that would be willing to let the kids come in for a visit, so there might be some opportunities out there just by letting local daycare centers know that your club is available for field trips.

Exposure is so critical.

I’ll be getting paid to tell these kids about fencing.

(You schleps are getting me for free: I’ve noticed the difference.)

[hpfencing]

Wow good idea, we have done demos at a Boy Scout troop and a Church recently... Exposure is the key to making our sport growand become accepted by all...

How can someone be for a sport that they do not know is around or in there area...

[melihop]

Yeah thats a good idea... Talking to local schools, and getting people who are willing to teach like a 4-5 week class on a volinteer basis after school works too.... I wore my knickers to the grocery store, and somehow got sucked into doing a fencing demo for 2 girl scouts troops and one 4th grade class.. but they haven't talked to me yet...

[wpotere]

(You schleps are getting me for free: I’ve noticed the difference.)

Yes, but free is good! (for us anyway...)

P.S. Glad to see that people are out promoting this fine sport.

[swordwench]

This sounds like a really interesting thing for the kids to do. It sure beats the usual daycare field trips to the local fire station! (Hey, wait... why don't my kids ever go on field trips when they're in daycare?) And the age group is a nice one for exposing them for the first time - a good opportunity to lure more young ones into a non-traditional sport. Will you be allowing them to touch any of the equipment, or just giving a demonstration? I'm sure you've considered this, but I have this bad feeling about liability - so make sure that you get proper permission slips from all the parents before allowing the wee beasties into your lair. Wouldn't want to lose your shirt because Johnny can't keep his little paws off the sharps. Best of luck!

[Red #40]

The club I am at does this all the time and its been very successful. For the liability you will find that most of the groups that ask for demos already have their own liability coverage so the standard waiver you use at your club will usually work for your own coverage.

[Mr Epee]

Wait... What???

The idea wasn't that demonstrations are a good idea...

The idea was that day-care centers may be working to fill out their summer field-trip schedule, and they might jump on the idea of visiting a fencing club...

The children will not be "fencing" - they will watch a few matches and then we'll have a little chat about the importance of health/fitness.

[Greg]

Is exposure really all that critical and do we really want it? Fencing, like many of the Asian martial arts has always had a small but consistent following and is still around. I doubt it will ever grow much more even with more exposure. Its never had wide spread appeal to the masses partly because its a technically difficult sport to learn and succeed in. Lots of college students are more attracted to the SCA rather than fencing. SCA has appeal since it is more dramatic swordfighting like one sees on Highlander reruns rather than the controlled bouting.

The difficulty of fencing makes it attractive and challenging to us but frustrating to others. Look at any new fencing program and the attrition rate for evidence of this. I'd venture to guess that most lose about 60% of their members after a few lessons. I actually think this is a good thing. Its not mainstream and that is one reason why I love the sport. Tell the average person you're into fencing and he'll ask whether its chain link, picket or board on board. This is usually followed by the required Errol Flynn jokes, then the "show me some of your tricks" remark.

However, the value of it being relative small is that many fencers who started in the sport as teenagers had exceptionally long competitive careers well into their late 40s and even longer. Westbrook as a great example of having been in what - five or six Olympics? Many other veterans are still at it and winning.

[Mr Epee]

However, the value of it being relative small is that many fencers who started in the sport as teenagers had exceptionally long competitive careers well into their late 40s and even longer. Westbrook as a great example of having been in what - five or six Olympics? Many other veterans are still at it and winning.

WOW!!!

I can't believe you just said that here!

You really think there is an upside to keeping fencing small, so that the old timers can win more? Maybe it's not what you meant to say.

[swordwench]

You really think there is an upside to keeping fencing small, so that the old timers can win more? Maybe it's not what you meant to say.

I, for one, would like it if old-timers could win more. (I might have a rating someday!) But alas, judging by the number of times I get killed by kids less than half my age, that's not going to happen anytime soon. Spread the exposure. Bring the torch to the next generation.

[Mr Epee]

But on you will go though the weather be foul!

A few weeks back, I met a couple of nice ladies who had been learning to fence for about a year. They were both fairly middle age-ed, and had been fencing at their local club's "Ladies night" - Fencing JUST for women... They were having a great time, fencing, socializing and staying fit.

I love the idea, and wish more clubs were visionary enough to plan activities like that.

[oiuyt]

Fencing, like many of the Asian martial arts has always had a small but consistent following and is still around. I doubt it will ever grow much more even with more exposure.

Yeah, that's why fencing is fairly stagnant and hasn't been growing in this country. :eyeroll:

When I joined the USFA ~10 years ago there were ~7000 members. We're about triple that now. Growth rates like that aren't too shabby.

-B :)