So, how many of you folks are SCA members? (I tried to search, but SCA is too short for a search term and the longhand turned up nothing related.) What are your experiences with SCA? Pros? Cons? Any amusing stories? I’m mostly interested in playing grown-up dress-up, basically, but only in the most period of ways, despite the movie Elizabeth getting me really interested. And the food. I’m interested in domestic life, for a very broad term. And I’d really like to know if they’re many people my age (19) involved and such.
I had the chance to become a member long ago but for some reason I didn’t and I regret it! I can’t now due to my daughter being autistic and most of my time is devoted to her welfare, learning, therapy, and such. I’d say go and join, it’s fun and weird and full of good folks. I do Renfests when they come 'round so I do get my Huzzah fix annually. Just be aware that some folks really take it serious and that’s… ok. Be comfy in the level you want to be in. Have fun and tell me when/if you join.
I’ve seen all ages at the practice melees (when I thought of joining, I checked out the practice nights with friends from work). Don’t be afraid to go and see. Find out where your local SCA group hangs and check them out. The chivalry and romance of the period is what drew me first but there are always “bad apples to spoil the cider” so take it with a grain of salt. Life’s like that anyway. I love dressing up myself, that period has always held a magic for me. I wish I could join now and if my daughter wasn’t autistic, I would and I’d take her, too! sigh
Some guys do become rather “friendly” ahem with fair faces so just let them know you’re new to the scene and are getting info. They may back off a bit (hopefully). Attractive women always draw lots of attention, which isn’t so bad a thing if you like that, just be aware.
I’m a member, and it’s an enormous amount of fun and a great way to expand your social life. Every local group is different, and every kingdom has a different culture, too, but I heartily recommend it to anyone who thinks the idea is appealing.
The SCA is something different to all of its members, and everyone gets something different out of it:
[ul]
[li]A place to play dress-up in beautiful clothes[/li][li]A chance to excel at combat as a sport[/li][li]A social life, to make friends and go to parties[/li][li]An educational experience, for research and study[/li][li]A way to learn new crafts and skills[/li][li]An excuse to attend [/li][/ul] Pennsic
Many local groups have an officer called the chatelaine, whose job is to welcome new people. Look your local group up on the internet and contact this person, and he/she should be able to let you know when the next event is, lend you some clothes, and introduce you to people who do the specific things you’re interested in.
I tried to join a few years ago and found it, at least the groups I went to, to be quite cliquish. I think it would be easier to know someone and be brought in rather than just going by yourself. I must admit I have been considering giving it another go lately just because it is something I think I would really enjoy.
I’m a Rennie, myself, and know a lot of SCA people. My feeling is that the SCA is a little more involved than I would personally want to be - I’m not much of a stickler for historical accuracy; like you, I mainly wanna play dress-up. The SCA has lots of historical resources that I think are fascinating, and the SCA people I’ve met are more than willing to share information.
My husband, Stonebow, and I are members of the SCA. I love to sew, cook, and camp, so we just sort of slipped right in to the routine of the events. We’ve met some great folks, but just like any social situation, there will be people you’re not so crazy about, too.
Ah, no problem, Kinthalis. I like searching out links and sending them to people. I guess people have always been so nice about helping me find things out (especially on the SDMB), that I think it’s silly not to be equally helpful.
FaerieBeth – Der. Why didn’t I think of that? :smack: I’ll hold off on the SD search until the re-indexing done, so as to spare the hamsters. I also had this nightmare that I would somehow destroy the SDMB entirely through some random but normal action. Eek! Can you tell more about being the Minister of Children though? I’m on the local group’s mailing list, and they’re always trying to get interesting projects for the under-twelves.
FisherQueen – Whee! Pennsic! Out of all the websites I’ve hit, Pennsic always looked the most awesome. It seemed the closest to living “the dream” and all. I look at the pictures of everybody’s tents and I get all these excited fuzzies inside. All I can think is, “That looks cool and that looks really cool and . . . THAT is AWESOME!” I’ve already got in touch with the local castellan and talked to the president of a SCA-associated college club (not at my college, but at another entirely) and fully intended to attend a meeting but I A) chickened out and B) finals reared their ugly head. Right now I need to summon courage to make a phone call to a stranger.
Sanguine – I think I may have already run into the fair face thing – through e-mail. I remember reading somewhere that if you’re young and female you’ll be welcomed with wide-open arms just because you’re young and female and there’s a dearth of people with those qualities.
Zap – Maybe we could enable each other! In a totally positive way, I mean.
For the Renfest folk, if you live in the Midwest, you must go to Bristol. I hope one day to be able to eat an entire deep-fried turkey leg by myself, though I don’t see it happening any time soon.
Joined the SCA in 1980, when I was 19. I’m 43 now, and less appreciative of some of the sillier aspects, but I still go to the occasional event, and try to keep my fighting skills up. (Fighting practice tomorrow, in fact, if it’s not raining.)
Depending on how much work people put into the historical aspects of the SCA game, it can range in authenticity from serious “Living History” to a large costume party. More often it’s the costume party. But it’s fun.
As often happens, the SCA was the starting point for the vast majority of my romantic relationships, including the disastrous marriage. (I’ve also seen a number of relationships end after one party joins the SCA and the other isn’t interested.)
Every summer weekend - although I stay away from the turkey legs. The same booth also sells steamed artichokes, which is how I spend my money.
There were several Dopers who worked at Bristol, although I only met one personally and not actually at Bristol. I don’t know if any Dopers will be working there this year, but I’m always hoping to meet some.
Rennies and SCAdians cross paths fairly frequently - one of my favorite musical groups at the Faire is Tourdion, and I know they perform at Pennsic every year too.
Well, Are you wanting to know more about the job or about neat projects for the 5-11 set?
As to the job, it’s a lot of fun, but tiring. I line up activities for my group’s events, volunteer at other group’s, and file short summations of the activities to my Seneschal. It makes for a very busy day. Activities usually start around 9:00 am and last until 3:00, with an hour or so break for lunch.
Fun activities we have done in the past:
Design and construct/paint castles from paper tubes
Heraldic displays made with the ‘torn paper mosaic method’
Bind and decoratively stamp our own journals
Marshmallow catapults
Classes on Dogs in Medieval times, Horses and Epona, Court Etiquette, Feast Serving, Middle Eastern Dancing, English Court Dancing
Also, at our last big event, I asked a local group of Ladies to mentor my older girls on Tournament Etiquette during the tourney they hosted on our Baroness’ behalf. They had a wonderful time, and felt very grown up.
Working with children is always fun! Working with children whose parents are heavily armed (blades, knives, dirks), shirtless and kilted, wearing a big pointy crown, or twice my height and girth plus all of the above :eek: …That, dear lady, is an adventure!
FB
The issue that has kept me from joining the SCA is the entire matter of the medieval identity - the new name, the persona, etc. It’s easy enough for me to say “Ok, I’m going to be Dutch in the 1400s” or “I’m a Londoner in the 1350s” or whatnot, but that’s different, to me, from assuming an entire persona with name and personal history. I’m not much of a role-player. I am quite into living history, but coming up with an entire persona is beyond me.
Well, there’s no need to have more than that - just a name, and just say “I’m 14th C french” (although the clothing usually gives it away), no need for the roleplaying of persona. And you can use your given name as part of your name, so you could be “rainchikki”* of Adamastor, fr’instance, no problem.
Thomas Tanner of Ely, from Adamastor Shire (that’s Cape Town, South Africa) - period fencer, Minister of Arts and Science, leatherworker, nifty dancer and cook.
Hey there. I’ve been in the SCA for 7 years. (Over in An Tir)
It can suck or be a blast. I found that it really depends on what you what out of it and the company you keep. When I first joined, the people who brought me in were mainly concerned about getting very drunk and then sleeping with everyone they could. When I tried contacting peers for persona advice and guidence, I was snubbed or ignored. I was ready to give up.
Then I met the most amazing household (which I now am a part of) and they’ve shown me how much fun the events can be. I’m learning embroidery, jewelery-making, weaving, cooking…lots of fun stuff. There is so much there to learn, the possibilities are endless.
Oh, and it’s not a requirement to take the Society completely seriously. At best, I’m a casual player. I dress up, I have a period encampment and I try to keep up who’s the royalty and show them the proper respect but I’ve never really had any urge to flesh out my persona to the nth degree and have yet to pin down a device that I like.
So if you do give it a shot, don’t be discouraged as easily as I was. There are people out there willing to guide you, sometimes you need to do a little digging. Try it, you could like it.
I’m an extreme newbie – I haven’t actually joined yet, that’s how new – but I’m having fun with it. I went to a meeting back where I used to live a couple of years ago and got the clique vibe somebody above mentioned, but the group where I am is anything but. Our Baron told me to ignore the authenticity Nazis (there is a difference between going for authenticity yourself and picking at other people to do the same!) and just have fun. I haven’t got a name and place yet, but I’m probably going to use a variant on my middle name. Elizabeth is SO EASY to document, after all!
Unfortunately, so far, all the really attractive guys I’ve met are married. Maybe if I can get to Gulf Wars that will change. Heh.
