You're welcome!

Thanks! Yes, SCA events are LGBTQ+ friendly. In fact, there is also a DEI office (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) within the SCA. www.sca.org/resources/dei-office/ With the Inclusion (as quoted from the SCA website), "Inclusion means being welcomed and truly valued for what you contribute. It means that no matter your race, culture, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or able-ness, you are accepted."

I live in the south eastern US and the majority of the people I’ve met in the SCA are transplants to the area and didn’t grow up here. Idk if that has anything to do with my experience but I have found people to be open-minded and cool. One example this week, a group planning a caroling performance at our annual Xmas/winter solstice/etc. spent time considering songs and wanted to avoid a lot of “Jesus is lord” sort of stuff. Around here, it’s so refreshing to have someone concerned about offending non Christians… usually it’s the other way around. ** And that’s not to say there aren’t Christians members, there totally are- its just that people are cognizant and considerate of everyone’s various beliefs. 👍

Yes, there are Christians, along with people of many other beliefs. I like that. It's a way for our children to encounter many friends from various backgrounds.

Many events have A&S of some sort, in the form of a Craftspersons Faire, displays, competitions, etc. Many events have various activities throughout the day. For example, an event may have heavy combat fighting, fencing, archery, thrown weapons, a Craftspersons Faire, A&S classes, Youth Pointe, youth combat, and/or dancing. Some events may have only one or two specific activities happening on that day, such as a Crown Tournament (heavy fighting to determine who the next Prince/Princess will be). If you are not participating in the fighting, but still want to be part of the activity, then I would suggest looking into helping out the List (such as the List Table or Herald). The List Table keeps track of who won/lost a fight, may offer up foods for fighters like pickles or oranges, etc. The herald announces who won/lost, who is advancing where, etc. Some events may also have water bearers, who sit on the sidelines and provide water or Gatorade to fighters in between fights. If you are not interested in observing nor participating in the fighting, many events offer classes, dancing, archery, thrown weapons, gaming, and more. There is usually something for anyone and everyone. Not all events revolve around fighting. For example, in the Middle Kingdom, there are two popular events known as Terpsichore and Crystal Ball that are focused on dancing: both teaching dances as well as dancing the dances that were just taught. Some events revolve completely around Arts & Sciences, like classes and competitions. As a newbie, I would first recommend going to a local meeting before attending an event. This way, you can meet a few people before attending the event, so that way you have a few familiar faces when you attend the event and can maybe ask about sitting with them at their day camp at the event. As you become involved with the SCA, if you are interested in holding an office, groups all have officers (local branches, baronial branches, regional branches, and kingdom level offices) like Exchequer (treasurer), Seneschal (President), Chronicler (Secretary), etc. Service may be something to interest you: holding an office, helping out on event staff, being a retainer for royalty, being in charge of the lunch tavern, being the feast-o-crat (cooking feast for everyone), etc. Besides heavy fighting, there is fencing, thrown weapons, and archery. As I've described to other people before, if you want to learn how to make an instrument, you can learn to do that here. If you want to learn how to play this instrument, how to dance or sing while accompanying the instrument, etc, you can do that in the SCA too. My favorite activities in the SCA include dancing, baking, blackwork embroidery, retaining for royalty, archery, and holding offices. We are a family of 6, so I also sew most of our own garb (another SCA activity). My husband enjoys fencing, heavy fighting, blacksmithing, thrown weapons, and more. For more of an idea of what activities there are, I would recommend checking out the Pennsic War Activities page: pennsicwar.org/activities/ I hope this has helped! If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

Some events also have unique activities such as equestrian activities or coursing of the hounds. Within A&S, you can learn and do all sorts of things: cooking, blacksmithing, brewing, woodworking, etc. If it existed in the Middle Ages, you'll most likely be able to find it in the SCA.

I’m personally trying to encourage more dancing at events in my area. Medieval and Renaissance dance is SO MUCH FUN… I’ve been playing about 7 months now- I def recommend looking into your local group. It’s so tough making friends as an adult so this has been great for me in a lot of ways.

I agree! Dancing is so much fun! And events are a great way to make many new adult friends in one location.

First, welcome back! 😀 Next, I would suggest checking out your local group to see when meetings are. At the local meeting, you can re-introduce yourself to people, find out what has changed, and when things are (for example, if there is a local fight or dance practice that you would be interested in). It's up to you what pace you would like to re-engage: if you want to jump in with both feet or if you want to slowly dip a toe in first. Before going to the local meeting, perhaps look up the local group on social media and introduce yourself there. That way, when you go to the meeting or next event, you may already know some people to hang out with. Also, while on social media, maybe see if there are any friends from when you played previously who are still active in the SCA. They may be able to help you re-engage (plus it's lots of fun catching up with old friends).

@@LynneFairchild I appreciate the input. 🥰

Happy to help!

I just made it to my first event in 25 years!! I'm am so grateful for everyone inspiring me. 🥰

😀

I don't know what a jabaroo is. Yes, you can fight as an individual, but you would need to be authorized as a fighter first (check out local fight practices for more info). Oregon is in the Kingdom of An Tir. antir.org/our-lands/find-my-branch

"Jabaroo" is shorthand for "I prefer being unvaccinated and being a plague monkey, and I'll cry about mUh fReEdUmB otherwise!"