Question 1

How do I sign up for classes, and when are they held?

Accepted Answer

Our weekly classes are offered through Holly Springs Parks and Recreation. Here’s the link to the classes that we offer, and their dates and times.

You can also sign up for classes at the desk at the Hunt Center.

Question 2

Where do you teach your weekly classes?

Accepted Answer

At the W. E. Hunt Recreation Center 
301 Stinson Avenue
Holly Springs, NC 27540

Website: https://www.hollyspringsnc.gov/340/Hunt-Recreation-Center

The specific rooms are subject to change, so please ask at the desk.

Question 3

Can I sign up for just one class at a time?

Accepted Answer

Holly Springs Parks and Recreation policy is that classes are signed up for one month at a time.

Question 4

What if I miss a month or two of classes? Will I be behind?

Accepted Answer

No! We recognize that there are many priorities and activities that you want to participate in, so you can pick back up where you left off. Though you will build skills as you go, in general we don’t have a strict progression where you will be “behind” if you miss classes.

The Medieval 8+ and 15+ classes in particular are designed so that anyone can start at any time, take a break at any time, and resume classes later.

Question 5

What do I need to wear for class?

Accepted Answer

For all of our classes, start with comfortable athletic attire.

Fencing Class: You will also need to wear long pants if you will be fighting.

Question 6

What equipment do I need to purchase for class?

Accepted Answer

Medieval 8+ and 15+ classes: No purchases are required in the first few classes. We provide the safety weapon(s) that you need, but if you are planning to be with us a while, you will need to purchase a fencing mask and some sort of gloves.

A fencing mask can be purchased online from any website which sell fencing equipment. There are three main types of masks available: foil, saber, epee. Any of these will work; purchase the cheapest available. Avoid any mask that is wired for electronic scoring – they are unnecessarily expensive.

Gloves can be anything that covers the entire hand and fingers. Gardening gloves, work gloves, batting gloves, and welding gloves are good options. The primary purpose is to prevent bad cuts from hand-on-mask contact: the metal mesh of fencing masks easily removes skin. For added protection against impact injuries to the hand, a padded glove can be used, such as lacrosse, hockey, or MMA (Mixed Martial Arts).

Fencing Classes: No purchase of equipment is needed to begin. We will have some loaner equipment that will get you through the introductory lessons. If you decide to continue with us, you will need to purchase a fencing starter kit (mask, glove, weapon). See the instructor for which weapon to purchase (foil, saber, epee).

Competition Class (Armored Medieval): You will need to have your own armor in order to fully participate in this class. However, you can still begin training without armor. The instructor will inform you about the requirements for your armor, and you will have the opportunity to see how other students have constructed their kit.

Question 7

How can I purchase the safety swords that are used in the Medieval 8+ and 15+ classes?

Accepted Answer

There are often several safety swords in stock and available for purchase. There are also occasional opportunities to place orders for safety swords where custom lengths and colors can be selected.

See the instructor for more information.

Question 8

What types of equipment should I leave at home?

Accepted Answer

Please leave any sharp or projectile weapons at home.

Question 9

How do I become a volunteer?

Accepted Answer

See the Volunteer Application forms for details:

Volunteer Application (Adult) 
Volunteer Application (Minor)

Minors are welcome to be volunteers when accompanied by a parent/guardian who has also completed the volunteer process.

Question 10

What do I need to wear when I volunteer at an event or festival?

Accepted Answer

It depends upon what the event’s requirements are. Most festivals will have a particular theme (Knight, Viking, Scottish, Pirate, etc.) to shoot for. Often any outfit that looks vaguely historical will work fine, though some require strict historical requirements.

For workshops and other educational events (such as at schools or pop-up classes), a school shirt is often all that is needed.

The lead for the event will provide the specifics of what is needed for the event or festival.

Question 11

Do you teach “real sword fighting”?

Accepted Answer

As much as possible, we utilize surviving historical documentation as the basis for what we teach. However, not everything that was taught or practiced historically was written down, so we need to fill in the blanks by leveraging other martial traditions and our own experimentation. So, while no one can purport to know exactly how swordfighting was done in a certain time or place, we can be quite confident that we have a close approximation.

All that said, one of the things that we do not do is utilize sharp weapons, for the obvious safety reasons.

Question 12

What weapons and styles do you teach in your classes?

Accepted Answer

Medieval 8+ and 15+ classes: We cycle through a different weapon or style every three months. The standard weapons that we teach are: 
Dagger
Single-handed Sword
Two-handed Sword
Sword and Buckler
Sword and Shield
Axe
Staff
Pike
Pole Arm
Unarmed vs. Armed

Sometimes we’ll throw in something different that we’ve been working on. For instance, Roman Infantry bootcamp.

Fencing Classes: We typically being with Sport Saber, then progress through historical and sport forms including: 
Sport Foil
Sport Epee
Smallsword
Historical Sabre
Maritime Cutlass
Scottish Broadsword

For more advanced students, the use of weapons in the off-hand (non-dominant hand) is also incorporated, including:
Dagger
Belaying Pin
Cloak
Axe
Staff
Boarding Pike

Students may also have the opportunity to receive additional instruction in forms such as:
Irish Stick Fighting
Bayonet

Competition Class (Armored Medieval): A variety of weapons are taught, though the focus of this class is on tactics, speed, and conditioning. Due to safety considerations, the most common weapons in use are: 
Dagger
Single-Handed Sword
One-and-a-Half Hand Sword
Two-Handed Sword
Axe
Bucker
Shield
Staff

Question 13

Can we hire you for our event?

Accepted Answer

We love to work with festivals, schools, museums, businesses, and organizations of all types to craft workshops, demonstrations, and other activities to meet your groups goals.

See our Workshops page for more information about what we have offered in the past. Many of the programs were created by request of our patrons. Reach out to us at info@swordconservatory.org to start the conversation!

Question 14

Can you appear at my birthday party?

Accepted Answer

Due to insurance reasons, we do not participate at birthday parties.

Question 15

What events have you done in the past?

Accepted Answer

Here is a partial list of events and groups that we have worked with in the past: Carolina Renaissance Festival https://www.carolina.renfestinfo.com 
North Carolina Museum of History https://www.ncmuseumofhistory.org 
North Carolina Transportation Museum https://www.nctransportationmuseum.org 
Festival of Legends https://festivaloflegends.com 
The Viking Experience https://www.thevikingexperiencenc.com 
Fraser’s Ridge Homecoming https://frasersridgehomecoming.com 
Beaufort Pirate Invasion https://www.thebeaufortpirateinvasion.com 
Swansboro Pirate Fest https://www.onslowcountync.gov/2258/Pirate-Fest-2024 
Mystic Distillery https://www.whatismystic.com 
Geek Fit Network https://www.geekfitnetwork.com 
Wake County Public Schools 
Sola Gratia Classical Academy https://solagratiaclassicalacademy.com 
Dynamic Opportunities https://www.dynamicop.org 
Gallabrae Scottish Games https://gallabrae.com 
Girl Scouts – Zombie Preparation Academy
Boy Scouts
Home school groups and co-ops

Question 16

Is The Sword Conservatory a non-profit organization?

Accepted Answer

Yes, The Sword Conservatory is an IRS 501(c)(3) organization.

Frequently asked questions