Our main practices are typically run on Thursdays from 7-9pm, at the Cambridge War Memorial at 1640 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02138. Fencers should bring $7, which is collected by the Cambridge War Memorial for maintenance costs.
Sunday practices have been cancelled until further notice, with the exception of periodic larger regional practices. If you are unsure and wish to check, please contact the Marshal of Fence.
If you would like to try-out fencing, or just see what it’s all about, feel free to stop by one of our practices! If it is your first time coming, we suggest that you contact the Marshal of Fence in-advance, in order to make sure that practice is on and, optionally, to arrange for loaner-gear to be brought, although this is not strictly required.
Please bring non-marking shoes, if you plan on fencing or doing drills. (This is at the request of the Cambridge War Memorial.) Men should also bring a rigid athletic-cup. All fencers should also bring long pants, or other athletically-geared clothing, that covers the lower-body (such as sweat pants).
Free parking is available in a nearby lot that is directly-behind the Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates building, but only during practice times.
Framingham Practice
Fencing practices are also held on Wednesday evenings in Framingham, MA, from 7-10 PM (in addition to the Thursday night practices in Cambridge, MA). Further details on these are posted on the Framingham Fight Practice page.
Current Blackout Days for 2017
Practices at the Cambridge War Memorial are cancelled for the following dates:
- August 3, 2017
- August 10, 2017
- Possibly closed August 17, 2017? Email to make sure.
- August 24, 2017
- August 31, 2017
- November 23, 2017
- December 22, 2017
- December 29, 2017
Alternate practices may be held, nearby, on the above dates, although this is not guaranteed. Please contact the Marshal of Fence if you have any questions regarding this.
More dates may be added in the future. Some practices, especially those on Sundays, may be cancelled on short notice. Please contact the Marshal of Fence if you would like to confirm that a practice is on, for a particular date.
Inclement Weather Policy
Our practice site, the Cambridge War Memorial Pool, is part of the Cambridge Public school system. If Cambridge Public Schools are closed, Recreation Programs are automatically closed. Information about school closures due to weather will be on Storm Force on WHDH Channel 7 Boston, or via the War Memorial Pool’s telephone number at 1-617-349-6279.
IMPORTANT PARKING INFORMATION REGARDING SNOW
If the parking lot of Harvard Vanguard has not been plowed, or snowfall is due during practice time in the War, DO NOT USE THE PARKING LOT. When the plows come to clean up the lot, they will automatically tow any car that is there, without notice.
Parking can be found on the side streets where use of the “Permit Parking” spaces is allowed on Sundays. Metered spaces are free on Sunday, and after 6:00 PM on weekdays. Be mindful of any posted snow emergency signs during declared snow emergencies.
FREE parking in Cambridge can be difficult to find, especially on non-Sundays, so we do not want to do anything at all to inconvenience the maintenance crews, or jeopardize our good standing with Harvard Vanguard.
Thank you for your cooperation.