SCA members hold a wide variety of jobs in the modern world, from students to professors, computer programmers to salespeople, artists and scientists, doctors, lawyers, church pastors, law enforcement officers, factory workers, secretaries and homemakers. We come from all backgrounds, hold many different beliefs, range in age from infants to senior citizens, and have widely varying interests. Some of us are parents. The SCA can be a family affair, with parents and children attending together as well as offering opportunity to childless couples and single persons. Besides our interest in history, we share creativity, encourage curiosity, and learn through a willingness to explore new experiences. We value courtesy, honesty, and honor, and seek the company of others who share these values. Your teen is welcome to participate in the SCA with your advance consent.

All sorts of things! We research and practice many of the arts and crafts of our period of interest, such as costuming, calligraphy, cooking, armoring, weaving, blacksmithing, music, drama - the list goes on and on. We teach and/or demonstrate these activities for schools, libraries, museums and civic organizations. We study the martial arts of the Middle Ages and engage in safety conscious versions of bat, archery and equestrian arts. We attend events that may include combat tournaments, archery, arts and sciences displays and competitions, dancing, musical performances, and medieval-style feasts. We teach and learn both at SCA events and through programs and demonstrations in which we are asked to participate. We hold offices at local, state, regional, national and international levels, providing the administrative responsibilities that are necessary to keep a large not-for-profit organization working smoothly. And We have fun!

Many ways! First, the SCA will give your child a chance to learn things that are simply not taught in schools. Through research of the arts and sciences of the Middle Ages the SCA is preserving skills and technologies that might otherwise become extinct. Moreover, we try to discover how these techniques were actually used in daily life.

Second, your child will grow as a person. He or she will be working toward the good of the group, and will be rewarded for such efforts. In exchange for behaving responsibly, your teen children will have a say in the running of the group equal to that of the adult members. We often find that young people in the SCA develop a maturity and poise beyond their years simply because they interact with adults as friends and equals.

Third, your child will make new friends of varied ages, cultures and educational experience. Your child will find people to learn from, and other persons with whom to share his or her own talents. As part of the SCA family, he or she will have companionship, respect, and people to call upon for advice or help.

Finally, your child will be with people who value and encourage intelligence, creativity, education, and talent. We will not ask your child to conform to current fashions or tastes in clothes, music, etc. Rather, we will expect him or her to conform to high standards of courtesy, manners, honesty, and honor and to develop his or her own identity as a person in the culture of the Middle Ages.

The SCA stresses safety in all activities, particularly combat. Your son or daughter will not be allowed to participate in SCA combat, a martial art based on tournament foot-combat in the Middle Ages, until the age of 18 in most kingdoms without your prior consent and attendance while they are engaged in an activity. Ask what the minimum age is in your kingdom.

Youth combat, using foam-padded boffer weapons, may be available to youth under the minimum age and is under strict adult supervision. Once youths pass the minimum age they may train as fighters if they wish. All fighters wear safety-regulated, protective armor. Before they can engage in combat at an event all fighters must "authorize" - demonstrate that they know the rules of combat and can fight in safety to themselves and others. Referees called marshals supervise all training and fighting and regularly inspect all equipment. Even for choreographed fights, our weapons are made of staves of rattan - the same plant used for basketry and useful to our purposes for its springiness and resistance to splintering under stress. Wooden weapons were used for training in the historical Middle Ages since steel was deadly back then too! We believe that SCA fighting is probably safer than many other athletic activities.

Since it is another form of combat training, rapier (period fencing techniques, sometimes called "light weapons") activities require the same age rules and safety regulations as for "heavy weapons", above. Some areas allow rapier fighting at a younger age, so you should check in your area to see if it is available in yours.

Archery can be enjoyed by young persons if they can properly demonstrate to the archery marshal that they and their equipment are safe.

To further adhere to the SCA concern for safety, most groups have at least one person trained in modern first aid and CPR. We call these people "chirurgeons", and many of them are EMTs, paramedics, nurses, or even physicians. They keep first-aid kits available, and know how and when to contact other emergency personnel.

Naturally, we cannot prevent all mishaps. People can slip and fall, be stung by bees, or have allergic reactions. Recognizing this, the SCA requires all participants to sign a waiver, a document acknowledging the potential risks of SCA activities and releasing the SCA from liability for injury. You, the parent, will have to sign the waiver on your teen's behalf and your attendance may be required at the SCA activity. Or, you may need to prepare the proper documentation awarding temporary guardianship to someone who you feel will be responsible for your teen and who will be present at the activity.

The SCA can actually be very good for your child's schoolwork. The SCA can foster and encourage your child's enthusiasm for learning. Adults in your child's SCA group can act as a pool of experts on a wide variety of subjects, not just SCA-related. Your child will probably acquire and exercise research skills beyond those normally taught in high school. Finally, your child's intelligence and studiousness will be respected and appreciated. Nevertheless, the SCA can be a very time-consuming hobby. We care about our younger members - we don't want your child's grades to drop! - but it is up to you to monitor your child's involvement, as you would with any other hobby. We encourage you to make sure your child does not stay out too late on school nights at SCA functions. You may consider limiting the number of events and activities that your child attends during the school year. An SCA event is rarely a good place to study.

It depends. The SCA does not have to be an expensive hobby, although it certainly can be similar to any other hobby. Current membership information - family and individual - is available on-line at http://www.sca.org.

Your teen will need to have at least one costume and will probably want several outfits over time. Although loaner costumes are often available from the Gold Key officer, Chatelaine or Hospitaller, members do need to own "medieval clothing". Estimate around US$20-25 for new, good quality fabric and trim for a simple outfit. With luck and a bit of creative talent, you may be able to adapt thrift-store bargains into inexpensive clothes for the SCA. Other expenses will depend on your teen's level and direction of interest. Joining a dance troupe or singing group is free, for instance; silversmithing has built-in expenses. Finally, your teen will attend SCA events (discussed below) at least occasionally. Costs will depend on how many he or she goes to, and their location. Fees for events are posted in advance and are posted on the kingdom's web site as well as in the kingdom newsletter.

There are ways to save money and hold down costs. Your teen may be able to barter with other members, trading babysitting services for clothing construction, perhaps. Many people (not just teens!) borrow equipment, share accommodation expenses, etc., to cut down on costs. Also, smart shopping at thrift shops, flea markets, and garage sales can yield inexpensive feast gear, fabrics, jewelry, and so forth. And of course, your teen can use the public library to find reference materials. Please monitor your teenager's expenses. Remember, we aren't acquainted with your finances and thus do not know if your teen is spending too much or not.

The term "event" means any one of several types of planned gatherings sponsored by local groups and conducted according to the bylaws of the SCA.

Some events are primarily educational; for example, dance practices, armoring seminars, heraldry workshops and the university seminars or Collegiums sponsored by the Arts & Sciences division of each kingdom. Others are primarily recreational. Some events have specific themes, while others are general interest.

Typically, events occur on weekends, either all weekend for camping events or all day Saturday. Attendees check in, sign waivers and pay fees (to cover site rental, etc.). The day's activities often center around a medieval combat tournament. There may be other conanchorpoints, classes, games, and performances, as well as socializing. Merchant members may be set up to sell SCA-related goods. There may be a medieval-style feast in the evening. Guests bring their own table settings: plate, cup or goblet, spoon and knife at a minimum. Many people prefer to include soup bowl, napkin, candlesticks and salt cellar as well. The feast may be followed by a court at which various achievement and service awards are presented. The evening often finishes with singing, storytelling or bardic arts, and dancing. Most events end around 10 p.m.

On any given weekend there will probably be several events happening around the region. They are held at various sites, typically colleges, schools, churches, camps, and similar locations. Most events are attended by 100 to 300 people, although very specialized events may be attended by fewer than 50, and one or two annual events draw several thousand.

Descriptions of events are published in the kingdom newsletters, and are available online from the kingdom website. Some sponsors issue a flyer containing complete information. You will want to read the event's description before approving any trip for your teen and to know the necessary paperwork details in advance. Check whether the site is "wet" (alcohol permitted), "damp" (beer and wine only), or "dry" (no alcohol); if it is a camping or day event etc.

Most events have a site fee to cover rental of the facilities, maintenance expenses, etc. Camping events will usually have a small fee for camping. Food costs are extra. Look at the information in the kingdom newsletter or on the kingdom's web site for the costs for a specific event. Other expenses must be figured case by case. If your teen will be staying overnight, be sure to figure in accommodations, breakfasts, lunches and snacks. Please do not send your teen to an event without enough money. If you can't afford it, don't let him or her go. Many of the rest of us are on budgets as well.

Yes, you must sign a waiver to permit your child to attend an event or participate in many activities. Younger children must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. Older teenage children can participate without your presence but your son or daughter should also carry a signed dated letter from you to authorize emergency medical attention. This letter should include the names of your teen's doctor and dentist, information about allergies, etc., insurance information and instructions for reaching you in an emergency. In some kingdoms the permission forms must be notarized.

Three things are necessary for an older "teen" to attend an event without a parent or court-appointed legal guardian.

1. SCA Minor Waiver: Must be signed by the parent and is left at the Gate (Troll).

2. Medical Authorization Form: Must be signed by parent and notarized. It is left at the Gate (Troll) .

3. Temporary Guardianship Form: This is not required every time and varies from state to state so it cannot be "enforced". The Temporary Guardianship Form designates who is responsible for the minor at the SCA event, must be notarized and replaces the Medical Authorization Form. The document stays at the Gate (Troll).

To learn more about the SCA you can look at the SCA web site. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the Shire Chatelain via Email. They are the officer for newcommers and will be happy to answer any of your questions. You should also consider attending one of our Shire meetings with your child so that you can meet and get to know our members and learn more about us and our activities.