Hello Campers!

We’re excited to announce that registration for the 2025 Harvard Coaches and Olympians Sleepaway Camp is now open! We can't wait to welcome many of you back and meet some new faces this year. Once again, we'll be returning to the beautiful campus of St. Mark’s School in Southboro, MA, where campers will enjoy fully air-conditioned dorms and train on over 40 metal strips, providing the best facilities to work with the Harvard University coaching staff, Olympians, and TMFC Elite coaches.

Don’t miss out on early registration savings! Sign up before the January 15, 2025 deadline to secure your spot at a discounted rate. We look forward to an incredible summer of training and fun!

Yours,

Daria Schneider
Harvard University Head Fencing Coach
Board Member, US Olympic Committee

Tim Morehouse
Olympic Silver Medalist
Founder of Tim Morehouse fencing Club

Session Schedule

Session 1: Aug. 3-10, 2025 (Foil/Epee)
Session 2: (Aug. 10-17, 2025): (Saber)

LOCATION

St. Marks Boarding School
25 Marlboro Rd.
Southborough, MA 0177

ABOUT

Experience firsthand what it is like to train like an Ivy League college fencer at the the Harvard Coaches and Olympians Sleep-Away Camp featuring an incredible team of Olympians, elite coaches, Harvard fencing team members and coaches.

Led by Harvard University Head Fencing Coach Daria Schneider and Olympic Silver Medalist and Tim Morehouse fencing Club founder Tim Morehouse, the camp staff includes a dynamic including the Harvard University Coaching staff and a mix of Olympians, NCAA coaches and Elite coaches in all 3-weapons.

Set on the picturesque 250-acre campus of St. Mark’s School in Southborough, Massachusetts, the camp focuses on providing students with an exceptional training experience that also serves as a preview of what it is like to be on an NCAA college team and includes sessions on the college recruitment process. Campers will learn from the Harvard University staff and members of the Harvard University fencing team who attend the camp, gaining insights into training and competing at the collegiate level.

Throughout the camp, students will be surrounded by some of the best athletes and role models in fencing. The camp counselors are also members of Harvard University Fencing Team as well as Fencing Corps members meaning and students will be immersed in a culture of teamwork and elite training learning from Olympians and elite coaches across all three weapons. Students will gain invaluable insights and inspiration.

The camp is fully accredited by the American Camping Association (ACA) and both Daria Schneider and Tim Morehouse are ACA certified camp directors and all coaches and staff are safe sport certified, CPR trained and certified in concussion protocols.

Meet the Camp Directors

Daria Schneider

Harvard University Head Coach
Member of the US Olympic Committee Board of Directors
Columbia University Graduate

Tim Morehouse

3x US Olympic Team Member
Olympic Silver Medalist

Founder of Tim Morehouse Fencing Club
Founder of Fencing In The Schools
Founder of the Fencing Corps

Elite Sleep-Away Camp

Harvard Coaches and Olympians
(2025)

Camp History and Overview

Experience the incredible

Experience firsthand what it is like to train like an Ivy League college fencer at the the Harvard Coaches and Olympians Sleep-Away Camp.

Set on the picturesque 250-acre campus of St. Mark’s School in Southborough, Massachusetts, the camp is an exceptional experience with campers surrounded by Olympians, elite coaches, and both nationally and internationally ranked fencers.

The camp which was founded in 2021 by Harvard University Head Coach Daria Schneider and Olympic Silver Medalist Tim Morehouse ranks among the world's best summer programs.

The camp focuses on providing students with an exceptional training experience that also serves as a preview of what it is like to be on an NCAA college team and includes sessions on the college recruitment process. Campers will learn from the Harvard University staff and members of the Harvard University fencing team who attend the camp, gaining insights into training and competing at the collegiate level.

Throughout the camp, students will be surrounded by some of the best athletes and role models in fencing. They will be immersed in a culture of teamwork and elite training learning from Olympians and elite coaches across all three weapons. Students will gain invaluable insights and inspiration.

The camp is fully accredited by the American Camping Association (ACA) and both Daria Schneider and Tim Morehouse are ACA certified camp directors and all coaches and staff are safe sport certified, CPR trained and certified in concussion protocols.

Coaches and Staff

STAFF FOR 2025

** Subject to Change although this is usually minimal **

SABER

Daria Schneider (Harvard University Head Coach)
Eli Dershwitz (Olympian and US National Champion)
Ziad Elsissy (Olympian)
Tim Morehouse (Olympic Silver Medalist)
Arianna Klinkov (Cornell University Head Coach)
Mamadou Keita (Olympian)
Iba Keita (TMFC Elite Coach)
And There are More Elite Athletes and Coaches as well!

EPEE

Adam Maczik (Harvard University Epee Coach)
Jason Pryor (Olympian)
Ahmed Abdallah (TMFC Elite Coach)

FOIL

Jed Dupree (Harvard University Foil Coach and Olympian)
Essam Mohamad (Olympian and Tim Morehouse Fencing Club Elite Coach)
Alberto Linaldi (Harvard University Foil Coach)
Dan Bass (Cornell University Foil Coach)
And There are More Elite Athletes and Coaches Attending as well!

** Please note, these names are subject to change although we do not expect any changes **

Camp FAQ

CAMP DETAILS

Please email info@timmorehousefencing.com with any questions.

Who Can Attend?

The camp is open to any and all entrants (limited only by number and age) in all 3-weapons.

Minimum Age Requirement to Attend: Campers must be at least "Fencing Age" 8 for the 2024-2025 season.
(This the Campers age on January, 1 2025)

Minimum Age Requirement on Dorms: Campers must be at least "Fencing Age" 11 for the 2024-2025 season to stay in the dorms (This the Campers age on January, 1 2025)

What is included in the camp?

Residential campers are provided 3 meals per day, housing in supervised dorms and a complete training day with 2-3 fencing practices and other cross training and performance oriented sessions. Other activities during the week include but are not limited to college recruiting informational session from Harvard Head Coach Daria Schneider, sports performance sessions and inspirational talks from Olympians.

What Does The Camp Cost?

RESIDENTIAL CAMPER RATES

$2500 (Before February 1) (Early Deadline #1)
$2750 (Before March 1) (Early Deadline #2)
$3000 (After March 1) (Regular Deadline)

$3500 (After June 15) (Late)

COMMUTER CAMPER RATES

$2300 (Before February 1) (Early Deadline #1)
$2500 (Before March 1) (Early Deadline #2)
$2750 (After March 1) (Regular Deadline)

$3000 (After June 15) (Late)

How Do the training groups work?

In addition to groupings for competitive and Elite Cadet, Junior and Senior Fencers, we will also have programs tailored for elite, competitive and intermediate youth fencers, which generally will be ages 8-9, 10-11 as well as Young Teen (12-13).

Please note, the Day One 5-touch tournament will also be a major factor in the groupings of students into the the first few days with opportunities for students to move up throughout the week as we hold mini-group tournaments.

Throughout the camp week there will be plenty of opportunities for all students to fence each other and the 3rd practice on several evening is open bouting where students can fence against anyone.

Who Will My Child room with at Camp?

Most students will stay in doubles and we do our best to take roommate preferences into account but it is not possible for us to guarantee a roommate in all cases. Please include as many roommate preferences as possible. In situations where we cannot accommodate a roommate preference, we will generally put students in similar areas within the dorm.

What do campers need to bring?

Fencing Equipment: (READ CAREFULLY)

All campers need to bring a full set of working fencing equipment including all necessary electric equipment and cords.

Including:

fencing pants (knickers)
white fencing jacket
electric jacket
Fencing mask
underarm protector
chest protect * if applicable
Multiple working body cords and head clips
3 working weapons in case things break over the course of a session.
Fencing Shoes (Only to be worn in the fencing room)

RECOMMENDED:

2 sets of fencing whites since campers whites tend to get wet from sweat and being able to alternate uniforms might add to their comfort level from practice to practice.

PACKING LIST

Clothing and Toiletries:
All campers should bring enough long pants, shorts, socks, underwear, t-shirts, pajamas and several sweatshirts for when the temperature drops in the evening. We recommend bringing a lot of extra t-shirts, socks and underwear since campers may go through multiple pairs in a day.

We also recommend at least 2-3 pairs of sneakers/fencing shoes. Students will need to change from outside shoes to fencing shoes within the gym.

Students will need to bring full toiletry sets including toothbrush, tooth paste, shampoo, shower soap and any other products needed for a week away from home.

Linens: You can bring your own linens or pay the school $75/week for linens. You will specify this on your registration form.

Any Medications Your Child Needs to Take:
These must be accompanied by paperwork from the child’s physician and Authorization to Administer medication form which you will complete with the orientation packet.

What is the cell phone policy?

Students are permitted to bring cell phones to camp, but they must remain in the students' rooms. Our goal is to ensure that campers fully engage in the camp experience while also allowing for necessary communication between students and parents. If a student violates this policy, they will receive a warning, and their phone will be confiscated until the end of camp.

Can students bring microwaves, hot water heaters, or other cooking devices?

No, students are not allowed to bring microwaves, hot water heaters, or any other cooking devices to camp. School policy strictly prohibits these items in the dorms due to safety regulations. Additionally, the fire alarms in the building are highly sensitive, and these devices can easily trigger them, creating unnecessary disruptions and safety concerns.

As a reminder, please be sure that all of your child’s belongings are clearly labeled. Please do not allow your child to bring any valuables to camp. The camp and TMFC is not responsible for any lost or stolen belongings.

What is a typical camp day? (RESIDENTIAL CAMPERS)

General Camp Schedule

On some days, there will be alternative activities during an afternoon or evening practice time.

Commuter Students

Commuter Student Drop-Off and Pick Up

Drop-Off:
Commuter students should arrive at the Hockey Rink between 8:45 AM and 9:00 AM, following breakfast.

Food for Commuter Students:
Commuter students do not attend breakfast but will have lunch and dinner on campus, depending on the chosen pick-up time.

Pick-Up Options:
Parents can pick up commuter students either before dinner (between 5:00 PM and 5:30 PM) or after the third practice session, between 8:45 PM and 9:00 PM at the Hockey Rink.

Parents MUST sign out students before taking them off campus and our staff will be with students for both drop-off and pick-up.

Except for the adjusted drop-off and pick-up times, commuter students follow the same schedule as residential students.

What If i can’t attend every day of a session?

No Pro-Rating: Because of the schools policies, we are charged based on headcount and they will not pro-rate what we are charged for each camper so even if you cannot attend an entire session, you will need to pay for the whole thing.

You are allowed to arrive later or leave earlier, but please let us know in your registration form so we can plan accordingly.

What is the refund policy if i cannot attend?

There is a $500 Camp Deposit Fee that will be deducted from what you’ve paid if you request a refund before June 1.

Between June 1 and July 15 we can provide a 50% refund. After July 15, there are no refunds since we will have made full payment to the school for all registered campers.

There are no exchanges or credits that we can provide for the sleep away camp. Additionally, if you attend any part of camp it is non-refundable and no credits will be allowed.

Is there A kosher food option?

For students who keep Kosher, the school has informed us that there will be Kosher options available however for full transparency, the kitchen is not a “Kosher Kitchen” so if you are trying to keep a strict kosher dinning than this might not be possible at the camp.

SPECIAL Food REQUIREMENTS OR ALLERGIES

There are plenty of Gluten Free, Vegan and Vegetarian and Dairy Free options for all campers.

The campus caterer does not serve peanuts or other nuts (unless found in ice cream made off campus) but they do have peanut butter available in individual packages.

Are there hotels nearby You recommend?

For commuter students or folks looking to stay over the night before arrivals, there are a lot of hotel options.

Framingham, Massachusetts is about a 15-minute drive from St. Marks and has a variety of hotels.
(Click Here for a List)

The Westin Hotel in Waltham, Massachusetts is also a nicer hotel for folks looking for a slightly higher level of accommodation.
(Click Here). This is about a 30 minute drive to St. Marks School.

You are also only about a 35-40 minute drive from downtown Boston where there are numerous hotels.

Can my child bring snacks?

Campers will be provided 3 meals per day plus there is an on-campus snack store however if you wish to send your child or bring additional snacks you are welcome to do so. We recommend protein bars, fruit and other non-refrigeration items. Gatorade and bottles of water are also allowed but not necessary unless you wish to have extra drinks.

What are additional things my child might need?

The dorms are not air conditioned so students should bring additional fans for the room. However, because this years camp is more rural and these dorms are more modern that last years housing options, we expect the situation to be significantly more comfortable for our campers.

Rooming preferences

When you register for camp, you have the option to list roommate preferences. We make every effort to accommodate these preferences by pairing students together or placing them in close proximity if it's not possible to room them together.

In general, if two students mutually prefer to room with each other, and they are of the same gender, similar age, and same weapon, we have been able to honor 100% of these pairings in the past.

However, if students do not share the same weapon, gender (including siblings), or are of different age groups, we are unable to room them together due to how dorming and travel groups are organized.

If your child listed a preferred roommate and did not get that preference, here are some other possible reasons:

Multiple Requests: If a group of 3-5 students requested each other in different combinations, we aim to place them in the same room or nearby. While we strive to keep them close, not all preferences can be honored if they conflict with each other.
Conflicting Preferences: If one student requested several others but only one of them listed your child as their preferred roommate, we will prioritize matching those with mutual preferences. The others will be placed in nearby rooms.
Parental Requests: In some cases, a parent may request that their child not room with a specific student, even if the other student prefers to room with them. These situations are handled discreetly, and we cannot share this information.
Siblings: Siblings of different genders cannot be roomed together due to dormitory regulations, which organize rooms by gender.
Roommate Not Attending: If the person your child preferred is not attending camp, we will do our best to place your child with someone compatible and ensure they are in a friendly environment.

Can I find out who my child’s roommate is before camp?

We do not share roommate pairings before camp. Room assignments are finalized when students arrive on campus, as there are often last-minute changes that can affect the arrangements. This approach ensures that everyone has the most accurate information upon arrival.

WHY THIS CAMP?

This camp is the perfect way to level up your fencing game under the tutelage of incredible coaches and Olympians, nationally and internationally ranked athletes and a staff that aims to provides students with incredible training while creating a lifetime of memories and special experiences along the way.

There are both residential and commuter options for campers with camp groupings for youth, teen and elite in Foil, Saber and Epee. Campers must be a minimum of fencing-age Youth-10 (2013 birth year or later for the 2022-2023 season) to stay on-campus but students in birth-years 2014-2015 will find a great experience in our daily commuter program and there are many affordable and pleasant hotels nearby.

The campus of St. Mark’s boarding School offers and idyllic sleep-away camp experience with multiple gyms, modern residence halls, gym facilities, pool, numerous fields and on-site campus store and nurse.

As always, the camp will provide its students with a world-class training experience including metal strips, cross-training, sports psychology, team building, college information sessions as well as leadership development sessions happening during the camp.

The camp is American Camp Association (ACA) accredited and Camp Directors Olympic Silver Medalist Tim Morehouse and Harvard Head Coach Daria Schneider are both ACA certified camp directors with years of experience running camps and training experiences for athletes from Olympic level to youth.

Find and Utilize Your “Super Power”
Our Philosophy

Helping our Campers Find Their “Super Power” means identifying and building on each campers unique strengths as a fencer and person. Building upon strengths is as important as identifying areas in need of improvement when it comes to achieving the goals our students set for themselves.

Many of our coaches and Olympians found success by realizing their own unique fencing strengths and building their fencing games around what they do best. As a result, we have a training philosophy that focuses not just on trying to “find and fix mistakes”, but it is one that tries to find strengths and build on them.

We want to help each camper identify and utilize his or her personal and fencing strengths to help build a campers sense of personal worth and confidence. We have to help students realize what they do well!

In addition, we want campers to discover, learn, and cultivate new skills, develop healthy lifestyles, create meaningful relationships, and become more caring, honest, respectful and responsible people. This simple direct philosophy has proven itself through our tremendous growth and very high return rate of our participants. The most impressive evidence of our success is in the growth of our campers.

Being surrounded by Olympians, incredible leaders and high successful people and coaches is all part of our bigger picture to provide aspiration and inspiration to athletes of all levels and to help our campers understand what takes to be successful in fencing and beyond.