How to Join the Society for Creative Anachronism

The Society for Creative Anachronism is an international medieval and renaissance re-creation group that focuses on rediscovering pre-17th-century Europe. The SCA is divided into 19 kingdoms that are spread across the globe. The kingdoms hold at least three events a month. Participants in the events camp out, dress in medieval and renaissance clothing, participate in or watch tournaments, have feasts, classes, art and science competitions, workshops, dancing, and royal courts. The SCA aims to be not only fun but also educational.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Active imagination
• Love for all things medieval or renaissance

1. Go to Sca.org to locate your nearest kingdom. Click on "SCA groups" from the home page. This gives you a list of kingdoms. If you are not sure what kingdom you are in, click each kingdom's name learn its location. Each kingdom's page has a link to find SCA groups in your area.
2. Find local meetings, fighting practices or art classes. Attend one of these small meetings. Get to know people in your area and to learn about the SCA. Be friendly and introduce yourself. Explain that you are new. The SCA prides itself in the friendliness and helpfulness of its members. They promise to introduce you to others, tell you stories, give you information and help you in any way they can.
3. Attend an orientation class for newcomers. Larger groups have these classes that last 2 to 3 hours on the weekend. These classes give newcomers all the information they need get in costume and get re-creating days gone by.
4. Create an SCA persona and name. Every member of the SCA has a persona and name that fits the time period. Some persona are as simple as a Scotsman in the 13th century. Others delve into the character and create details about their persona's past, family and job. Your name must be period-appropriate.
5. Continue going to local meetings, practices, classes and event to get more acquainted with the culture and customs.
6. Look at the calendar on your kingdom's website to find an event to attend. Ask people from your local group if they are attending. Ask if you can camp with them. Camping in a group allows you to get to know people better, split responsibilities such as cooking and cleaning and enjoy the event more as a whole.
7. Acquire garb (clothing) and camping supplies for the event. Many local groups loan garb to new members who haven't yet made or purchased any garb of their own.
8. Enjoy every aspect of the event. Try to attend all the activities the event offers. Walk around watch tournaments, throwing competitions, arts and sciences competitions, bardic circles, courts, and evening life.
9. Get a membership online at the SCA website. Print a membership form, fill it out and send it in. Annual memberships for individuals are less than $40 and discounts are offered to families. You can attend events without a membership but you do not receive discounts.
10. Know the benefits of a paid membership. Paid members hold offices at the local level and in the kingdom. They receive discounts at some events, get the kingdom newsletters, a subscription to Tournaments Illuminated and a subscription to the Compleat Anachronist.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have small children, events normally have a Master of Children who watches and teaches your children during the day so parents can enjoy the event.