Fencing for a non-sporty ADHD boy?

[Anonymous]

I'm looking for the right fencing club for my elementary-school boy who is nerdy and not sporty, but whom I want to involve in fun physical activities that keep him active and fit. He wants to learn to fence. If he turns out to actually be good at it and wants to pursue it more deeply, that would be great, but that's a bonus, not the goal.

He has combined-type ADHD, so a fast-moving, very physical class that doesn't have a ton of sitting around (or standing around) would be ideal.

He'd do best with instructors that give clear directions in a well-controlled environment, and who are supportive, not yellers. An approach that emphasizes a "game" feel rather than a "drill" feel would be ideal.

Bethesda, Rockville, or McLean would be our preference, but we'd go farther if necessary to find the right fit.

Recommendations appreciated. It's hard for me to figure out what clubs are or aren't good, even with all the websites and videos available online -- all of it feels meaningless to me, as I know nothing about fencing. There's some info in DCUM's archives, but much of it is from many years ago (and so many things have changed as a result of the pandemic).

[Anonymous]

There's a bunch - all good, all run by pretty much the same Euro Fencing Coaches. I think this would be ideal for your son.

When they arrive for a group class there's lots of physical warm ups, throwing balls / skipping ropes / that kind of thing.

then they learn a move and are matched up one on one. There's not a lot of time for sitting around because the classes are short.

check these places
https://www.capfencing.com

https://www.novafencingclub.com/summer-camps.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiArsefBhCbARIsAP98hXS6uSxDlO-FWOwKdx5Tmf4Z-sxHTWyR50-JKkgb_0St-XhqD2R1zWIaAp_zEALw_wcB

[Anonymous]

My DD took an intro class through Fairfax parks, and a classmate said that McLean community center also offers one. I'd start there. These classes are typically taught by someone from a local club, and IME they are "lighter" with less drilling because they only have 8 weeks or so.

[Anonymous]

I don't know if this is a good place or not, but I saw they had summer camps a while ago https://www.invictasports.net/ It's in Gaithersburg, MD. Apparently, they have fencing and archery.

https://www.urfencing.com/ in Rockville, MD

https://royalfencingmd.weebly.com/ Also in G'burg.