USA Fencing launches Volunteer Hub to recognize members who give back

Fencers and clubs can find service opportunities, log their hours and earn end-of-season recognition.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Fencers have always found ways to serve beyond the strip. Now USA Fencing has a place to count those hours.

USA Fencing has launched the Volunteer Hub, an online home where fencers and clubs can find volunteer opportunities, submit their service hours and earn official recognition from the national governing body. (Find the Volunteer Hub on the Fencing in the Community page, linked above.)

The individuals and clubs that log the most verified hours between June 1, 2026, and May 31, 2027, will be recognized at the end of the season. More details on the recognition program will be announced in the coming months.

Because the recognition window opened June 1, service completed over the summer already counts. And if you’re attending a local, regional or national tournament this season and plan to complete volunteer work during the weekend, those hours count, too. 

"For years, fencers have been finding ways to give back to their communities through service, citizenship or helping grow the sport," says Tom Eisenhauer, Senior Sports Development Manager at USA Fencing. "We want to celebrate that and encourage more clubs and individuals to get involved."

The Volunteer Hub groups opportunities into four programs: Fencers Do Good, Fencing Sprouts, En Garde! Fencing and Other. Members who have their own idea for a service project can log it under Other.

"We have several existing volunteer programs you can take advantage of if you're not sure where to start, or you can create your own," Eisenhauer says. "The main point is to make a difference in the world around you."

For high school fencers, verified service hours recognized by a national governing body also make a strong addition to a college résumé.

Volunteers log each activity through the Volunteer Activity Submissions form. The form asks for:

• Your information: name, email, USA Fencing membership status and whether you are under 18.
• Your activity: event name, a description of what you did, the activity type and program, city and state, the organization that benefited, start and end dates, and total hours.
• Your verifier: the name, email and relationship of someone who can confirm your service, such as a coach, site supervisor, event organizer, teacher, club leader or another responsible adult familiar with your work.

Enter hours as a decimal. For example, two and a half hours is 2.5.

After you submit, USA Fencing will email your verifier to confirm the activity. Let your verifier know the email is coming so they can respond promptly. Once approved, your hours count toward the USA Fencing Volunteer Recognition Program.