When you were talking about them adapting kit for the climate that they live in, we had a term for that when I was in the SCA. "We are the Society for Creative Anachronism, not the society for compulsive accuracy."

Thing is them getting 'adopted' is pretty normal. In 1991 I got divorced just two weeks before Pensic. I was a mental mess so I drove up. I don't know what I was thinking or why. Just a lost soul. No tent. No food. Really no garb. I just needed to get away. These folks from Tennessee took me in. Gave me a tent in their camp to use. One woman made me (on the spot No less) some basic tunics to get me by from sheets until I could buy a few more from merchants (Money was the only thing I HAD brought). The matron of the group made me come by daily to make sure I'd eaten. And if I hadn't she fed me. The two weeks I spent with them saved me. Gave me a place to feel like I belonged and was loved and let me sort my life out. I stayed with them almost every year I returned after that till my last time I went in 1998. (I was FAR better prepared those times).

This was my 40th Pennsic, been going since 1981. I also made it to Armistice last year, when Pennsic was canceled for the second time. One of my great moments this year: I taught two classes on War Wednesday, from 9 to 10AM and from 11AM to 1PM. They were in the same class tent, so I just figured I'd take whichever class was between the two I taught. The in-between class was "How to tie a Turban in the Muslim Style", by Duke Cariadoc - the guy who STARTED PENNSIC 50 years ago.

I found the SCA at 15.. Over 30 years ago. This is the BEST description of our culture I have ever seen. You Grok us. I was the "npc" doing elaborate chalk drawing with giant compass and straight edge on the pavement near the glass blower.

History geeks! The SCA lead me to a Masters degree centered on Medieval Women....and I now teach Western Civilization courses at college level....and I've been a SCAdian for over 20 years :)

Funny how this video made me go to my first SCA event, and by chance the same woman who ran that camp that adopted you adopted me and a friend at the meeting and showed us around.

I have heard of the SCA before, and I have always thought it was just the combat. Because of you guys, I have now discovered our local organization and now can't wait until my first event with them. Thank You for opening my eyes to this!!

Glad you brought up the Blue Feathers. We are an LGBT+ group, that helps make sure the SCA is safe and inclusive for all.

I'm Lady Kirivi Romani Aioli, Fairy Godmother of the Wandering Wheel in Calafia, Caid (San Diego) and I have to say you have filled my heart with the joy you are sharing with your video! Thank you so much for sharing & you are always welcome at the Wobbly Wheel if you are out this way for Potrero War or Great Western War!

I have to say it is very refreshing, and humbling, to have a good, positive telling of what the SCA is like from a newcomer's perspective, because I have heard about many newcomers who have had bad experiences or didn't really get to know the organization and its members, often letting their preconceived notions/biases get in the way, and thus had a negative outlook on what the SCA is like. Like, a lot of people, seeing or hearing about our members making and drinking alcohol, would say we are a bunch of drunkards who like to beat the crap out of one another, but there is so much more to us than that, so it is great to have you guys present your experience with the SCA with a positive outlook. Thank you, and I encourage you to go to a few more events and maybe some of the local meetings, there is so much more you can learn about us, and from us. 😁

I have a Pelican in my local group - not a Knight, but, they take similar vows, focusing on service. I mentioned to him that I was having a hard time with depression. So every few days he'll message me a cheerful meme or gif, and I know that I can reach out to him at any time. They really, really mean those vows they take.

I've been going to the SCA for my whole life and I'm happy to see you guys enjoyed! I grew up around my dad being a knight and going to events every weekend or two, it was a big part of my life and the community is so welcoming and fun.

As a long time SCAdian, this is one of the best first-time outsider reviews of Pennsic I've ever seen. You two better come back for Pennsic 50 next year!

I got into the SCA in high school the mid 90s, convinced my parents to go to Pennsic for our family vacation. My mom fell in love and dad thought we were crazy. My mom and sisters went every year until she passed and I've been going until my wife went back to school 6 years ago. We are planning to go back next year ... I cant wait! I'm so happy you you had a good time and I hope you return next year. I'd love to meet you guys!

I grew up as a SCAdian and havent been back in many many years. The moment you described the break in the trees to see the campground put a huge smile on my face because I could picture it and I love it. ETA: I've certainly had similar experiences in the bog parties, glad to see the Lost Boys still partying away (my mother was one of the generations) The Blue Feather is an LGBTQIA+ group and the Blue Feather Ball is really something to behold. Lastly, the SCA and pennsic especially is so amazing because of the amount of activities there are to do. I know plenty of people who spend the whole war learning, or fighting, or hell BEING ROYALTY, but also plenty of people who use it as a time to relax and do nothing except hang out in our camp's communial space and just reconnect with friends. I miss the SCA and my clan so much and I hope I get to return home soon. Have a great town run, and hope to see you back at more events 💕

8:00 Yes, I fully agree, the SCA is as much a family as any, we take care of our own. One example is, following hurricanes Katrina and Rita that blew through the area where the Gulf Wars site is, 200+ trees on the site alone got uprooted and knocked over, and the roads were full of debrie; the following year the site owner came up in our big court at the end of the event where all the kings and queens in attendance preside, to thank us and tell how the local SCA members in that area came out and started helping clear the roads and clean-up and repair the site within days of the storms passing through. And then many members in the path of the storms got hit hard, their homes damaged, much of their belongings damaged or lost, and the members who hadn't pitched in to help clean-up and make repairs, and help replace what was lost, and he same happened after Hurricane Harvey that blew through the Texas coast, mostly around Houston. And then, the Covid pandemic hit right before Gulf Wars 2020 was supposed to start and it was cancelled (some people had already arrived early to help set-up so they had a little mini-Gulf Wars) but then all the merchants, who for many Gulf Wars makes up a good chunk of their yearly profits, were at a loss, so someone started a merchant relief group on Facebook for merchants to post links to their websites, or just post pictures and contact info for themselves and tons of people bought up as much of their stuff as they wanted, not nearly as much as normally but still a lot of people tried to help make up for their lost profits, and the guy who usually sells the annual Gulf Wars t-shirts got a bunch of "Gulf Wasn't 2020" and plague-themed t-shirts made to sell within weeks of the event being cancelled. And there are so many other stories of how we've helped one another after major and minor disasters, and how we go above and beyond to help and accommodate people in and outside the SCA. 😁

I am so glad you discovered the magic of Pensic. I will say that the monthly meetings don't quite match it but you do find family. I remember from the 25th Pensic and as I was walking around two 7 year olds spotted each other and recognized each other from the year before. They ran up to each other and shook hands and cried "Well met!" It made my day. My heart swelled. I was there the year of the Great Plague when a stomach virus rage through the camps. You may not have known but the Hospitalers are composed of Physicians and Nurse's who volunteer their time to make sure of the community's health. Without their help Pensic would not be a legal event. They quarantined some of the Port-O-Johns for the ill and made sure that the sick had enough fluids. They also monitor the health of the fighters. The year I was there one older gentleman died of a heart attack and 2 babies were born. I am so glad to hear that the Toochucks are still vibrant and strong. I attended last in 25 and 26. I never saw the battles. I did see the archery and the merchants. There was a group of Morris dancers that was going from restaurant and tavern performing. It is definately an event you must attend multiple times because you can never see it all in one time. I really must attend again.

49 was my 30th Pennsic, next year probably my last. I’m so glad you enjoyed yourselves, we sure need young folks to carry on. Pick up the torch! Learn a new thing! Dance a new dance! Throw an axe! Teach others, learn chivalry, courtesy, and honor!

You need to go to a SCA feast. A researched historically accurate 5ish course dinner, a recreated medieval feast. Look up your local chapter and find when the next feast is.

This is the best explanation of SCA culture I have ever heard from people new to the SCA. We have had plenty of documentaries and news pieces done. They are fighting heavy because that is the flashiest thing we do but it is only a small part of a greater whole. Thank you very much. I was at Pennsic running the youth fighting. Our kids can learn armored combat or rapier fighting as young as six years old. They are restricted to their age groups and have very stringent safety rules of course, but they are every bit as into what we do as the adults.

We we camped just down the road from you! So great to be back this year in spite of the weather. Thanks for this lovely piece on Pennsic and the SCA. So often reporting is about "look at this weird hobby"... Glad you shared the warmth of the community!

I'm also in MA, been going to Pennsic for 26 years! We have a smaller local 3 day war in Hebron Maine two weeks before Pennsic you guys would probably enjoy. It's called "The Great Northeastern War". So glad you had a good time!

I've been a member of the SCA for over 40 years. (My first Pennsic was #10.) You guys clearly "got it" about the SCA and about Pennsic. You did an excellent job of describing something that's really hard to describe. (And it was fun to see friends and the camp that's right across the street from ours in your video.) I hope to see you next year!

The sca doesn't just have armored fighting but also a type of fighting called Rapier which is more renaissance Era fighting. The sca is an amazing group and is home. I have been in the sca about 6 years and love it

Thank you for sharing this wonderful video! I met my wife when we were members of the SCA, and we attended several Pennsic Wars together before dropping out to focus on our “mundane” life. I have shared this video with my daughter, who attended the War as a toddler. She is 23 now, and has asked me about the SCA and what it was like. Now she can get a good idea of how it appears to first time visitors. I hope you return again. If you do, you will make some life-long friends. Perhaps some day our paths will cross. If they do, I shall be at your service. Cordially, Lord Owen The Mad

I’ve been doing the SCA since I was born (my parents met through it) and have been going to pennsic since I was 9-10 months old so it’s interesting to see someone Who has never been to a SCA events point of view on this

Haven’t heard of Pensic and the SCA for like 30 years. Good to hear they’re still going. Also, never knew I needed a viking luau. Now I know.

I used to attend Estrella War, SCA's 2nd largest annual event. Been planning on next year at Pennsic for their 50th. Thanks for explaining that SCA is not LARP.

I was born into the SCA and the reaction nowadays when I tell people about it is so wildly different to how it was when I was growing up. The SCA was a secret I could never tell anyone about or I would get relentlessly teased and bullied about this weird dressup thing my family did. Now when I hear kids excitedly talking about how cool their friends think it is I want to cry with relief that its so different now. The SCA is quite literally my life and I am so happy how much more people are interested in it all!

Almost every major, and many minor, universities have a branch of the SCA as a student org. That is how I got involved in the 90s.

I have been a part of the SCA for over 37 years. I have raised my kids in the SCA. You are so right about it being a community! I am thrilled my brethren gave you a great experience (even the Tochuxs!-scary but great bunch). This is MY first time on your channel but I have hit the subscribe. Excited to explore your world. Thank you.

The beautiful thing about Pennsic is that it is NOT a public spectator event but rather a huge group of people of all ages the simply just love to do this reacting as a hobby and the two week escape from every day life. It is truly magical 👑😍.

I just got started in the SCA here in central florida and I completely agree, the sense of community and welcoming feel for newcomers is amazing. I did my first combat practice last week and it was so much fun

Something to note: Other than blocks that start with the letter X, every residential block on the map is supposed to have singles camping available. If you found somewhere that you liked geographically, you should consider a move. You’ll find good people on every block, but the lifestyle difference is Major from area to area and it’s driven by geography. Want to get to know people the best way? Stop by in late afternoon/early evening with a bottle of something or a bite to share. Offer to pitch in and help somewhere, and you will be welcome to nearly everything. Bear in mind that sometimes camps sometimes are holding private events like weddings or funerals or just closed meetings, but it’s fairly universal that help is currency, booze is friendly, and food is family.

This past year was my 30th Pennsic. It is so delightful hearing y’all pick up on everything that makes the event and the SCA so special. Sharing the Dream!

As an SCA member, welcome to the family. Pennsic is a magical place for all of us, and we are glad that you were able to share our personal happy place with us. See you next year then?

This is one of the nicest reviews of the SCA I have ever heard! I have been in the SCA since 1985. I met my wife there, raised my children in the SCA, and love it dearly! I am SO glad you had such an amazing time! Come on back anytime! And let me know if you ever come to the PNW, we will continue to share amazing experiences with you!

I miss Pennsic. Haven’t been in 20 years. Thank you for this taste.

It’s Brigadoon. I’ve been SCA for a over 20 years. My first Pennsic was in 2002. I camp in the Mountain Confederation in E12. I hope you came to our Piper’s Night.

Welcome to the SCA!!! They fed you so your family. I’ve been playing for about 5 years and it’s the best community I’ve ever encountered. Experimental archeology at its finest.

It’s awesome that you had fun with SCA, and I’m sure your milage varies as much as anyone’s can, but when I tried to get into SCA, in my area, 35 years ago… the local SCA folks were very exclusive and very particular. No tolerance for any historical inaccuracy. There was no interest in facilitating newbies at all, especially a bunch of Conan and Bilbo loving fantasy nerds like us! I think, considering your tale of Viking Luaus and golf cart tours, that in general, SCA has lightened up a bit in the past 35 years for the sake of injecting fun into the whole experience! That was of course my milage, and a long time ago. So nice to hear how positive your experience was.

Haven't been to Pennsic in years, but I've been part of the SCA for 6 years now. Welcome to our world!

OH MY GOD, you were in our amoeba!! You guys were so much fun to hang out with, and I really regretted not getting to see you again. This video is incredible. Thank you so much for coming, and thank you SO MUCH for making this amazing introduction to our community!

I subscribed to your channel shortly before I headed off to Pennsic. Wish I had recognized you two in passing so I could have said hello. Hope to see you come back next year!

I've been part of the SCA for about 25 years and have attended 13 Pennsics so far - you two described the experience extremely well. Sounds like you made your own fun which made it a fantastic experience. Thank you for sharing this on your channel! Thank you for talking about the classes that are held. There were actually 2,500 different classes during this past Pennsic.

The knight who broke his thumb is my husband! He just saw this video and wants me to let y'all know that it wasn't broken, just about a half in dislocated. (He's the knight with white crescent on black over 3 black wolves on white on his surcoat) He's really happy y'all came out to the Combat of the Thirty and covered it amazingly!

SCA- History as it SHOULD have been.

Welcome to our world! My first Pennsic was 9, and I have only missed two. My children have been raised in the SCA and now my grandchildren. I live within a 45 minute drive, so I am spoiled, 😆. Please feel free to come down to House Clovenshield next year, we are a mercenary group of fighters, musicians and dancers. We usually have our big party the last Friday, just ask around for directions to the Bacon Party, take your best route to Sedalias Way and head towards the Bog!

We call it Living the Dream. :) We love recreating history and/or participate in experiential archaeology. :)

I went to every Pennsic from number 18 (still inside my mom) until number 32, and then I didn't go for most of two decades. Pennsic 49 was my return, so I was experiencing what you did, and it was in some ways new to me also, and in other ways very familiar. I few thoughts for you: The reason that you didn't have to wait in line for the shower is because a lot of the group camps actually build a shower in their camp. I was lucky enough to be part of one such this year. If you two attend next Pennsic, and join one of the many camps that does this, you also will find yourself having a routine that does not involve walking to the main shower house. Most of the fighers on the field are not knights. Knighthood is a rank that people have to earn by playing the game, and not everyone does. Fighters, including knights, are "fighters". I'm so glad that you two had a great time, and maybe we will run into eachother next year.

I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the Lostboys party. I was one of the bartenders that night. A lot of our folks are current or used to be professional bartenders. Hope you come back.

Pennsic is so important for many families that everything from the vehicle you buy to the planned conception of a kid can be and has been controlled by the needs if going to Pennsic

Hello from the kingdom of Meridies! I'm so glad that you got to experience the community aspect of the SCA. That feeling you described, where people just turned and included you in the conversation, is one of my favorite parts of the SCA! We are all just friends that you haven't met yet. 🤗

Great Video! I have been in the SCA for about 20 years and Iwas so drawn to it that I returned to school for History and now have a Master's Degree in History and teach classes about the Americas at Pennsic.

"My camp had to buy me back with two boxes if whiskey, but they were AWESOME" I've never met this storekeep before, but I love them

You should search and find out how Pennsic started. It's amazing story. And the man who started it all tells amazing stories. He wanders around Pennsic and stops at random camps and tells stories. It's quite the experience. Oh and welcome to the East Kingdom. Maybe we'll see you at Great North Eastern War next year in Maine.

I had stopped going to Pennsic due to family issues. I have so missed it and listening to your enthusiasm makes me homesick for it. You were talking about the broken thumb and I had to laugh. My first Pennsic, I took a class on "How to Extricate a Knight from Their Armor". FIghters are SOOOO hype about their armor. People rushing to get something like a breastplate off could damage it. Fighters care more about their stuff than their injuries at times. The Luau had me laughing too. I used to belong to the SinPit. Every day we posted the "Sin of the Day". We had (for like 3 yrs) had Hawaiian tunics for the Day of Sloth. Pennsic is still amazing.

Wow, Pennsic 49. My first was number 14. It was a long journey from Ansteorra (Texas/Oklahoma) but I managed to go three times until the first Gulf War was held closer to home, which I then attended many times before tapering off on traveling. Lot's of good times.

Love all of your videos. You guys are great! Also TREES and DRAGONS had me laughing! 😂

6:55 Reminds me of Gulfnado when a tornado passed by Gulf Wars a few years ago, passing 65 miles away but a microburst blew through. Before it hit, we were watching the dark clouds overhead and occasionally talking about what we should do if a tornado did hit the site, and then we got an alert and a few minutes later the microburst hit. The big pavilion we had up began to lift up so me and a few others grabbed the sides to hold it down, I got drenched by torrential rain, pea-sized hail, and there was wind and lightning all around for like 20 minutes but it felt longer. Since we have a saying that "it isn't a Gulf Wars if it doesn't rain", because we will have a variety of weathers throughout the week, usually rain, so we tend to make sure our tents are secure, tied down, covered in tarps, etc., and thankfully most of our tents in my little group were alright. But we later heard a tree had fallen onto a tent (thankfully no-one was inside), a tree limb went through a car windshield, and some poor kid was in the portapotty when it hit and was trapped in there the entire time, and then also a few trees in the nearby golf course were hit by lightning; as much damage as there was, it could have been a lot worse. Afterwards, someone started selling "I survived Gulfnado" t-shirts. 😂

My last Pennsic was in 2004. I really miss it but I have always enjoyed the people, classes and atmosphere. Welcome to our world.

I've now found out about my local chapter in Manhattan and this is so freaking cool! Thank you! Edit - I just signed up for Pennsic 50 - I got into this because of you guys ❤

Shire of Nordenhal in the East Kingdom, here! Been in the SCA since 1977 and one of the things I really love is that you can evolve and grown within the Organization. Never boring, you can reinvent what you do, and teaching others is one of the best things that happen!

This is why I love the SCA so much. I have never been to Pennsic but am planning on making the pilgrimage for the 50th anniversary next year.

Love that you enjoyed the clout. I shot 125 m today, and will be participating in a 'Sticke and Stringe' tournament tomorrow for longbowers in historical costume. Loving it.

I miss Pennsic so much. Thank you for posting this! It was so fun to see it theough the eyes of a newcomer to the event and the SCA in general!

What a great recap of Pennsic! I've been in the SCA for 45 years and haven't missed a Pennsic since I joined. My two kids, now in their 20s, grew up in the SCA and yes, they've learned a lot of things that you won't get elsewhere. You're very right that it is family, and we are always there for each other whenever someone has problems or needs something. BTW, the people guarding camps were almost certainly guarding royal (Kingdom) camps. They're really there just for show. I hope you'll be back!

I haven't been there for 20 years, it's great to see what it has become! Go tuchucks!

I haven't been to Pennsic in 11 years and still think of it as Home. It's truly one of the best experiences of my life.

Funniest story I've heard at the SCA, a weaponsmith was his time at Pennsic one year. He was at home after war week and he was getting ready to take a shower and looked over his "wounds". He had a " V" shape on his backside and could not figure out how he'd been hit so perfectly... Then he clenched his muscles and the V on his butt straightened out. He clenched so hard when he was hit. We could not stop laughing.

One thing I’d like to add is that we (SCA) have officers called “Chatelaines” in your local group. This “welcome wagon” officer is there to help guide you, point you in the direction of your interests, and even help with loaner garb (we call it “Gold Key”) for smaller events. We normally can’t outfit you for Pennsic, but for a quick weekend event, a lot of times we have something for you. Be sure to look for them when you’re getting started. Side Note: The whole time I was watching I was looking for my encampment. I knew it was in there somewhere (your video was shared on our household’s FB page). We strive to make a statement with our design and I know I’m excited you felt we did just that. If you go next year, maybe you’ll catch the dragons actually breathing fire in the evening…

I am in my 33rd year in the SCA and a Knight, I have been to Pennsic 13 times, starting at Pennsic 21, you have really captured what is best about the SCA.

Hello again! Great to see that you had fun at Pennsic! You cannot overstate the overwhelming nature of the event, the quality of the merchants, or the inclusiveness of the revels. I haven't been in 25 years, but friends go every year, and I send them with a shopping/wish-list. Prior to the SCA I had a vague interest in history and period-crafts. After Pennsic I had a beginner's interest in calligraphy, heraldry, and dance. I stuck with calligraphy and heraldry, and improved my skills to the point where I am "mediocre" and really proud of that! And I look for inspiration from SCA scribes and heralds, who describe the research they have done to make this shade of red ink using the same methods as their persona could have used in the 1450s. It is endlessly fascinating. (Red ink being near-and-dear to my Hadrian heart.) The Blue Feather parties have always been epic, and I'm thrilled you could experience one.

At 29:10 the fighter with the blue and white diamond-patterned baldric, with the stag on the front! That's Duke Cellach (pronounced like Tom Selleck) of the Middle Kingdom!! Just one example of why heraldry in the middle ages was so important. You have to be able to spot your allies, and I was able to pick out one of my local fighters from a three-second clip! Also, the Viking Luau is the West Kingdom. And the Blue Feather Clan is the SCA's queer pride group within the SCA. The Ball is their annual charity raffle. I was born into the SCA. My dad got into it in college, and has been with it ever since. I truly consider my household more of a family than either of my parents' siblings. They are closer to me than blood, and the things that I've learned in this group have genuinely made me a better person. To any non-Scadian watching this video and reading comments, go to a local event! Go to the SCA website, look up your local group, and just see it for yourself! Talk to your local nerds, take classes, or don't! I've been in the SCA my whole life and I am just there for the community and the occasional impromptu history lesson. You don't HAVE to do anything serious, you don't HAVE to be an artisan or a historian. The fun and family are the important part.

I did not get to make it to Pennsic this year. Have been in the SCA most my life it is AWESOME to see that a Channel that I watch visited. You are now SCA family!

I never thought I'd see anyone talking about the SCA on youtube. Having been an SCA member myself I'm happy to see the SCA attracting new people. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed yourselves at Pennsic.When I used to attend regularly I was a jester it opened all doors even the tuchucks.

40+ year Pennsic attendee and Tuchux here. We're not Goreans, that's something else. But we do have our own thing going on. And we won't always take the wheels off the golf cart. Sometimes we just take it back to security to tell them what a good job you are doing. Come up to camp next time. We're not all as bad as they say we are, just some of us.

Hi guys, folks call me Fum and I was at the very first Pennsic war. I am so very glad to hear what a good time you had when you came. Your video is wonderful, and I thank you for it. I shared it right away. I'm glad to see you got video of the Janissaries marching, they were impressive. Have a great day, you made mine great!

It was great having you guys in our camp and I really look forward to seeing you next year. I will make sure I have kegs of cider and beer for you

If anyone here wants a really well made video showing an event look up "SCA Welcome Home" or "SCA the Dream" on KZfaq. They are very high quality from the SCA in Southern California.

Another long-time Pennsic attendee here (my first was in 1997). I loved this video and your enthusiasm for our event, our organization, and our culture. It's always refreshing to take a step back and see it with new eyes. You captured the spirit of Pennsic very well!

You two are so adorable. :D Welcome aboard, and so glad you were properly welcomed!

It was fun meeting you two (briefly) on the bus ride to the archery field. So glad you had a great time! See you next year!

I went to one or two SCA events back in the early 2000s (Estrella), and everything I experienced there is true to what you've described happening at Pennsic! The people were really nice, always willing to share the knowledge of whatever field of interest they had pursued, and the shopping! Oh, man, the shopping. There was a lot of the sort of thing you'd find at a Renaissance Faire, but at better prices. The second time our group went, we had a Turkish-themed encampment and costuming. At night, there were drum circles about every hundred paces amidst all the tents, with people dancing, drinking, and having fun. During the day we watched the armored knights fighting/repelling an assault over a bridge constructed of haybales and wood, and speculated about the feasibility of getting a nice safe gig as a siege artillerist way back in the van. I'm glad to hear things are still going strong! I hope someday I can make it out to Pennsic.

My first Pennsic was XX and I haven’t been back in like 15 years. This is making me homesick!

The heavy armored fighters at Pennsic use weapons made out of rattan, which is any of a number of climbing palm plants (it's not bamboo). So it's not like wooden baseball bats - the advantage of rattan is that if it breaks, it doesn't throw splinters into the air or into someone's face. Once the rattan is the desired shape, it's wrapped in reinforced tape to further prevent injury in case of breakage. Sometimes the weapons turn out lighter than their metal counterparts, but sometimes they turn out heavier. Axe heads and such are sculpted out of foam and also taped.

As a Captain of The Fleet, when you come back home, (return to Pennsic) I invite you to join us in The Swamp (continue down hill passed the lake) where we play Pirate era, we’ll get you the best drinks and get you Pirate game gambling and tons of other fun.

I’ve been going to Pennsic since Pennsic 3 (1974). I’m retired now, but I worked for many years for the federal government. When I filled out my leave request form, I always answered the “reason for leave” question with “time travel.”

I'm glad you guys had a good time and share your "no s**t there I was" stories. And like everyone else next time you're in the bog say hi.

LOL I remember seeing you guys in your grass skirts at the Blue Feather Ball. Glad you enjoyed the entire event. I a magical experience. You guys got to experience far more of Pennsic than most of us who've been going for decades!

I am Garland dancer from W. mass. My troupe went with a number of other troupes of Morris several years ago. We spent a week eating, dancing and drinking. Was an amazing bonding experience for us, from building our kit to the community at the event. Absolutely incredible.

I've been going to Pennsic since 2001 - I'm so glad you guys had a great time! (The Blue Feathers are the center of LGBTQ+ life at Pennsic BTW). See you next year! 🙂

im glad skill tree had such a positive experience at pennsic. I cant wait to go at some point, but right now I'm giggling listening to your experience while i make my lamellar chest piece and i personally have been called a medium sized heavy fighter and I'm 6ft and 280 lbs so i know what you mean about other fighters in the SCA absolutely TOWERING over you. everything is humbling and so much fun and i hope you guys get a chance to go to more events within the SCA. I think skill tree would love being there more.

Wow! What a great video about Pennsic/SCA. I've been a member since 1979 & you did such a great job of capturing what our Society is. Thank you. I have now subscribed to your channel & look forward to viewing more of your videos.

I was born into the SCA and it was a huge part of my life growing up. While like every group we have our...less welcoming... elements for the most part we really are kind of a massive family. Many of us refer to pennsic as home and miss it like crazy. Very few encampments I've come across don't welcome pretty much anyone wandering in especially if they're new or don't know people. I'm glad you guys had such a good experience! If you ever go again there's a place in the 'food court' area that sells these amazing spaghetti bread bowls that I can't recommend strongly enough (If it's still there, I haven't been able to for over a decade) OMG you found The Lost Boys! They and Kindred we're my favorite parties!

I have shared this with my fellow re-enactors in Australia to remind them about how it should feel when you attend events. And to reinforce the importance of having enough and clean toilets when you run events.

My second event was Pennsic, and you described what it was like to be a newbie and how much there is to learn and experience. Nice job describing the experience, I am so glad you enjoyed it. Next time perhaps you have time to enjoy all the performances in the Performing Arts Pavillion as well. I hope you both get to come back for year 50 next year.

I have been in the SCA since I was about 8. It is absolutely my found family and has made me a better person. The support of these people has saved me in some dark times. I didn’t get to go to Pennsic this year and I missed it terribly. This made my little heart happy. That community. That family. The love and caring is why I will always come back. and thank you for being clear it’s not a LARP! 😅😂

This is EXACTLY how I described going to Pennsic for the first time! Love it!

I love your newbie perspective on our second home, the SCA! I am from the Barony of Rivenoak, in the Principality of Cynagua of the Kingdom of the West. I encourage you to find your local group and announce it proudly!