The Story School takes the safety of our heroes very seriously. We engage in active, play combat and the tools that we use for this reflect our desire to keep our heroes both safe and engaged. Please note that no hero needs to own their own weapon to participate. We will always make sure every hero that does not have their own is provided a foam short sword to allow for full participation

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Question: Can my hero preview/review weapon safety rules before camp?

Answer: 100%. We have a lot of information on our "New Hero" and "Returning Hero" webpages but you can find the direct link to our weapon and battle safety rules (and learn about our lore) here: Hero's Handbook

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Question: My hero has found a really cool weapon not on the lists above, can they bring it to camp?

Answer: You're right, that's an awesome blade...but it probably can't be used unless it is a prop or a previously approved weapon. Weapons on the above lists (LARP Box and Camp stock) have been battle-tested and are manufactured for consistency. Weapons approved in previous summers are still approved. There are a few weapons we used to carry that are no longer available to order. If you have any doubts, please send us a description and picture. There are also the category of "prop" weapons. Swords, daggers, and other items that look really cool hanging from a belt but are not approved for combat. You can also ask us through camp@thestoryschool.org for specific questions.

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Question: Of the weapons you sell, are there restrictions for certain ages?

Answer: Below are our restrictions and recommendations for both foam and latex weapons:

• Foam weapons restrictions:

  • All heroes undergo weapon training to make sure they are safe with their weapons.

  • No ranged weapons. The spell packets our heroes use they get to make on site and should not be created at hom.

  • Sword-to-Handle restrictions: no weapon can have more than 30% of its length in a hard handle (made of a different material than the blade). Common exceptions include axes whose handles are made of the same material as the blade and staves which are all the same material.

  • Height-to-weapon length recommendations: a total sword length of 36" or a staff under your own height is recommended for those heroes under 5 feet tall. For heroes over 5 feet tall, 4 feet is the limit for "blade" length on swords and 6 feet is the limit for a staff.

• Latex weapons restrictions: ​​

  • No ranged weapons. Most latex weapons come to a point and throwing the weapon increases the chance of accidentally hitting a hero or "monster" in the eye. We provide and allow for heroes to make their own spell packets for ranged attacks

  • See weapon length and blade length restrictions above

  • All participants wanting to use latex weapons will undergo special training to ensure their safety with these denser weapons

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Question: I have an enterprising blacksmith/engineer, can they build their own weapon for camp?

Answer: STEM education is a founding principle of our programs so we encourage it everywhere we can. That being said, safety is key and we do not allow for homemade swords, staves, axes, or other weapons. We have approved homemade shields and props but they have to follow the guidelines below. Again, for the safety of all our heroes, we do not allow homemade weapons to make contact against another person at camp.

• Homemade Shield guidelines: ​​

  • Shield must be smaller than the wielder

  • The outer edge of the shield must be padded and the outside surface (facing your enemy) and inside surface (facing yourself) must be smooth and free of splinters or hard/sharp projections (like spikes)

  • The handle must be designed so that the shield is easy to drop so that if their shield is caught on something their arm is not wrenched

  • The core of the shield must be durable enough to support the mistake the hero falling on top of it (thin foam = no, thick foam = yet)

  • And no harmful materials can be used in it's production

• Homemade Props/Costumes:

  • These are much easier to blanket approve and encourage as we want heroes to make their character their own and their costume and props that stay with them are not used to touch others. Please refrain from incorporating fragile materials like glass or materials that have sharp edges (like metal spikes) into your design. 

  • As always, feel free to contact us with any questions at camp@thestoryschool.org

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Please note: our directors and weapon masters do a final check of all outside weapons on site. If they determine a weapon is unsafe they will either determine it be a prop (can be carried but cannot be used in combat) or ask that the weapon be kept at home. In that case, they will be provided one of our approved loaner short swords.