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NJFA
New Jersey Fencing Alliance

Club Policies

What to expect on lessons, makeups, payments, and absences. Our season runs August 1 – July 31.

Policy

Private Fencing Lessons

Private lessons are offered at NJFA's discretion, subject to coach and space availability.

  • Youth fencers must be active members of one of the general group classes.
  • Adult fencers must hold a current NJFA membership.
  • The only exception is for fencers temporarily unable to attend group classes due to a medical injury.
  • Your private lesson slot is reserved specifically for you, and NJFA does its best to keep it unchanged throughout the entire season (Aug 1 – July 31).
  • All private lessons are managed via online software. It is the fencer's / parent's responsibility to manage cancellations and makeups per this policy.
  • Private lessons are paid at the beginning of the month based on the actual number of lessons taken the previous month.
  • A forgotten cancellation is charged in full, with no makeup or credit.
  • A minimum of 24 hours' advance notice is required to cancel.
  • Same-day cancellations (before the lesson start time) are limited to two per season.
  • Repeated missed or late-cancelled lessons may result in losing the lesson slot.
  • Arrive 10 minutes early. Late arrivals shorten the lesson.
  • Fencers 10+ minutes late forfeit the lesson with no makeup.
  • Makeup private lessons are only possible when there is a free slot in the coach's schedule during regular club hours.
Policy

Makeup Group Classes

A makeup class is when a fencer attends another class to make up a missed regular class.

  • NJFA generally does not offer makeups, since fencers frequently miss class for competitions.
  • Makeups are attempted for absences caused by sickness only — not vacation, competition, school activities, or other events.
  • Makeup sessions are held on Saturdays, 8am–1pm, exclusively. Availability is not guaranteed.
  • Makeups can only be taken in the current season and while the fencer is an active NJFA member. No roll-over to a new season or after leaving NJFA.
  • The season ends July 31 each year.
  • No credit or refund is given for missed classes or for makeups not taken in the current season.
Policy

Vacations, Absences & Payments

NJFA charges full monthly tuition during the school year and does not put classes on hold for vacations or school breaks.

  • Exception 1 — a fencer injured and unable to attend for longer than 3 weeks.
  • Exception 2 — a senior taking a break for college applications, October through December.
  • Exception 3 — summer: classes may be put on hold, prorated, or paid per attendance, per the fee schedule published each May.
  • Any change to a summer payment plan must be emailed to the club by the 15th of the previous month, or no refund/credit is given.
  • All classes are auto-charged at the beginning of each month.
  • To stop the next month's charge, give written notice before the 15th — there is no withdrawal fee.
  • There is no prorated payment on exit; the fencer may attend through the end of the paid month.
  • Notice on or after the 15th means the next month is charged, with no refund or credit.
  • Additional charges may apply for prior services such as weapon repairs and private lessons.
  • NJFA is closed on holidays and some days during Summer Nationals, per the published schedule.
  • There are no prorated fees or refunds for classes that fall on these days.

Policies are subject to change. Questions about how a policy applies to your fencer? Just ask the front desk — see Contact.

Free first lesson

Pick up a blade. Your first lesson is on us.

Come visit us at the front desk, or reach out and we'll set you up — no experience needed.

Get in Touch Call (973) 762-6363