Club Update Fall 2020

Welcome to Phase 2.5 of reopening in North Carolina!

We are lucky to have access to and advice from experts in the local community. This is why we have a Social Contract and other Policies and Protocols in place.  

If you are interested in joining Club in-person small group classes for this Fall session, pre-registration as well as a Membership is necessary to register. Please complete all of the forms and waivers and return them along with an email to info@midsouthfencersclub.org about your small group class or lesson preference.  All forms must be completed and returned, membership signed up for in our Mind-Body point of sale, and a confirmation received in return, before a person will be registered and eligible to attend in person.

More about Membership on the website.

If you want to join the online classes only please check the Zoom Protocols and set up your space in advance of attending class. Also please make sure your Zoom account is updated. You may need to allow your Zoom to access your video, audio and/or record — check your Zoom settings through your browser (not the app) and your computer/device settings before class. You will receive the Zoom online class link in advance.  

In-person individual lessons also require forms and pre-registration.  All lessons are 30 minutes.  Lesson cards can be bought online.

Adding New Stuff: Note we have already updated our practice options and open bouting. We will be adding camps and clinics for breaks for November and December. 

The new space at Durham Bulls Athletic Park requires some new ways of doing things:

• Make sure to complete and return the Bulls Waiver along with the other forms.  Go to the Forms and Links page for these.
  
• Register for in-person services (as described above).
• Please understand that this space is not a “pop-in” space, despite being a “pop-up.”  There are no drop-in services — any in-person service must be arranged in advance of attending. We must limit the number of people in the space, as per State of North Carolina and Durham Bulls regulations.  This means only the participants may attend.  Parents/responsible adults must wait outside the gate.  This is very different from the old Club space.  Thank you for understanding!
• We will do a temperature and symptoms check for every participant, every time. Face masks must be worn the entire time.  Review the Protocols and Procedures for the rest of the expectations.  
• Never let anyone else into the Bulls’ stadium.  (Not holding a door open is very hard for polite Southerners — we get it — but we just can’t.)  This includes letting in other Club members as well as members of the other groups using the space. Sorry.  Only you may enter.  Make sure the gate is closed behind you when you enter and when you exit.  Also, we cannot explore other parts of the stadium, although it is an exciting place.  Bulls Security is very clear about the rules and this would be how we would lose use of the space for everybody.  Using this space means being very disciplined about how we do things and being respectful of this athletic facility. 

Where do we go to enter in-person activities at Durham Bulls Athletic Park?

• The entry gate is on the SE side of the DBAP on Jackie Robinson Drive (the street is one-way heading west).  It is east (up the hill) from the Victory Garden, and next to the service driveway.  Our gate is the pedestrian gate to the left of the large rolling driveway gate.  You will see a coach or adult volunteer waiting at the gate to do check-in.  We will have a sign out front, too, once it’s made.  
• If you do not see a gate person, text your coach or someone will be with you shortly. More images of the entry can be found in this slide deck about Procedures.  
• Parking is available around the stadium, both street parking and a covered parking garage South Parking Deck American Tobacco Campus at 653 Jackie Robinson Drive is the closest.   Durham has two-hour street parking spots.  The garage may be free.  More parking information here.  Please do not park in loading zones — they are enforced.

Returning to competition is something our Club is taking seriously.  We understand that the National Office has issued a tournament schedule that includes Fall and we understand the concerns surrounding this.  There are many other ways to enjoy the benefits of fencing without an immediate return to competition. The NC Division and USA Fencing are regulating competition return and working with tournament organizers on how to jump start safely. 

We value community discussion and appreciate everyone’s input. We are creating our own committee to create a thoughtful policy for travel and for those who wish to return to competition before, during, and after a vaccine and rapid Covid testing occurs. It is important to us everyone knows how our club will operate all in-person activities.   Please contact Jen by this Wednesday 9/16 if you are willing to be part of this group.  

We support you taking your time and giving your energy to the club though these unprecedented challenges. Thank you for being part of Mid-South Fencers’ Club evolution.