MISSOULA, Mont. -- From the time we're little, we're taught not to play with sharp objects.

In this club It's required.

"Which is why they love it so much! It's like wow, I get to poke somebody," Missoula Fencing Association Director Laura Lee says.

"I thought the swords were a lot sharper."

This is the Missoula Fencing Association, and it started three years ago when director Laura Lee's seven year old sons came to her with a request.

"Mom, find us a fencing teacher, and that's how it all started. And once they started fencing their friends heard they were fencing and people were like wow, we want to do that too!" Lee said.

Since then 250 kids of all ages have come through the program. Though they may come thinking it's all about sword fighting.....

"It teaches discipline, but I think more than anything else it teaches focus. Like how can we work around this problem. Because a lot of times in fencing if you go in there guns blazing, you're probably going to lose," Fencing Teacher Chris Leclercq says.

And safety is paramount. They start with foam swords and plastic masks. Once they do graduate to real foils and sabres, the focus is on technique.

"A whole bunch of footwork and it hurts your knees sometimes but then your muscles grow."

"And different rules with different swords like sabre you can hit anywhere on the blade."

And whether it's a big dream....

"My goal is to become an olympic fencer."

...or just to make friends....

"Well my mom has always kinda wanted me to join a team."

..It's a lot of fun.

For more on the club or information how to join or take clases, visit the Missoula Fencing Association's website (http://missoulayouthfencing.com/).