Forte Policies
Safety is our main concern and we take it very seriously.
Our Number 1 Rule is: Never point a weapon at anyone not wearing a fencing mask!
- General Safety Policy: Athletes who do not follow standard safety protocols will be warned as to their future behavior and may be temporarily or permanently suspended from participating in activities at Forte.
- Changing must happen in the bathroom stalls, per American Legion policy.
- No sharing of water bottles.
- Coaching Support at tournaments is available by request. Please visit our Coaching Support Policy page here for more information.
- Personal Equipment Return Policy: (1) Any personal equipment left behind at club with your name on it will cost $1 per item to be returned. (2) Any personal equipment left behind at club without your name on it will cost $5 per item to be returned. Please take care of your equipment and be sure you have everything before you leave.
- Lesson START and END times are non-negotiable. If you are late, that time is NOT made up.
- Lessons must be scheduled with at least 12 hours notice and payment must be made before the lesson will be given. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to properly warm up. Members who wish to take a lesson, but have not scheduled one, are encouraged to speak with the respective coach and make an appointment with them. This is first-come, first-served and based upon the coach's lesson schedule for that night.
- Cancellations of a lesson, class, or open fencing must be communicated at least 24 hours in advance. Failure to do so will result in a charge for the missed service.
- All lesson, class, and open fencing purchases are non-refundable. Unused lessons may be transferred to another athlete, but are otherwise non-refundable.
- Any other credit card/PayPal transaction is non-refundable for 180 days, except for established members.
- Photographs may be taken at Forte Fencing and tournaments for use on the Forte Fencing website and in the press and marketing materials. By fencing at Forte or at events, you consent to Forte Fencing Foundation photographing and using your image and likeness.
*Important Note: In compliance with NJSIAA rules and regulations, Forte coaches are not permitted to work with student-athletes of the school district where they coach during the "in season" or "out of season" periods. They may only work with their student-athletes during the "summer" period, which typically begins in early/mid-June and runs until September 1. Any senior who does not participate in a Spring sport and has exhausted their eligibility is exempt from this rule and may work directly with their district coach during the spring "out of season" period.*