SG-SCA-Youth-art

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SG-SCA-Youth-art - 6/22/09

"Survival Guide for an SCA Youth" by Lady Gormlaith Bebbin Kathleen HRothgarsdottir (Kitty).

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NOTICE -

This article was submitted to me by the author for inclusion in this set of files, called Stefan's Florilegium.

These files are available on the Internet at: http://www.florilegium.org

While the author will likely give permission for this work to be reprinted in SCA type publications, please check with the author first or check for any permissions granted at the end of this file.

Thank you,

Mark S. Harris...AKA:..Stefan li Rous

stefan at florilegium.org

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Survival Guide for an SCA Youth

by Lady Gormlaith Bebbin Kathleen HRothgarsdottir

There are several things that one should learn, growing up in a group like "The Society for Creative Anachronism." There are reasons that it is also referred to as "The Society for Creative Anarchy", "The Society for Consenting Adults" and "The Society of Constant Accusations". The first thing to remember, is that it is a game. The moment it stops being fun, is the moment you should step back from it, take a deep breath, and reassess everything.

"The Society for Creative Anarchy":

There are politics everywhere. If you want to play in politics, I suggest that you read the "The Prince", by Niccolo Machiavelli.

You may feel that everyone is out to get you. Most people just don't care, one way or the other, but if they are out to get you, some of them may think you are out to get them, too. Let them know that you are not. Stay friendly. Again, this is a game. Playing pretend. Like dress up....for the whole family, or part of it if you only go with one parent, or a friend and their parents.

Remember, "be yourself", or rather, be the persona you've chosen, but be sincere. There may be a bunch of folks running around trying to "kiss up", but if you are sincere about yourself and all you do, you will shine brighter. It may take a little more work, but you will feel greater about it in the end.

If someone really is out to get you for no discernible reason, continue being sincere and the people that matter will take notice. You aren't alone, they won't get you.

Remember this: Work hard, for you are not forgotten and you will not go unnoticed.

Proof there: I just got my Award of Arms (AoA).

"The Society for Consenting Adults":

Scratch a tent before entering, it's the next best thing to knocking, otherwise you may see something you'd rather you hadn't.

Stay in after your curfew. Trust me. You don't want to see that yet. Don't ask.... You REALLLLY don't want to know. The curfew is in place for a reason. Remember, people are strange after they've been drinking and at night is when the drinking is done. Alot of folks may not seem the same. Some are violent drunk, some are playful drunk, some are frisky drunk, and some just say 'to heck with the world' and hide in their tent until the hangover is gone.

In the morning, if you are louder than the Herald, tone it down. Trust me, they already want to get him, do not add yourself to their hangover "Squish" list. Been there, done that. Four years old, running through camp screaming. I'm just glad Mommy got to me first.

Don't walk through strange camps without permission. Again, you don't want to see that yet, that and its impolite.

After dark and someone comes staggering down the road: "You look thirsty.... want a drink?" Don't do it, its a trick!

Don't drink anything you didn't get yourself unless someone sober told you what it was. Even then, smell it first and if it tastes funny, politely discard it.

Don't accept food, drinks, candy, etc, form strangers. Yes, there is noone stranger than us, but you know what I mean. Don't accept things from people you don't know.

Always carry a bottle of water with you. I call it my "safety water". The drunk guys are often sweethearts and will offer you a drink because you look thirsty. The fact that you are underage may not occur to them. Tell them your age and hold up the water and say "No thank you". Some have had enough to drink that they don't care you are underage and just worry about you dehydrating and will offer you the 'fire water'. Others will hear your age and back away slowly before dashing off into the night like a scared jackrabbit. Remember, your age is your friend. It keeps the perverts at bay, and if it doesn't, tell a constable.

Sometimes it doesn't help as much as you'd like, so always wander camp with a buddy after dark. A lady should never walk camp alone. Try to have a gentleman escort you. Gentlemen, it isn't very safe for you either, go with a buddy and if a lady is wandering alone, offer to escort her. It's polite and it keeps people safe.

Put down the cloved fruit. You're too young for it.

Don't drink the "Trimarian Punch", and if it ends in the words, "Gargle blaster", step away slowly.

If it's daytime, find a waterbearer. They will be happy to give you some water. The kitchen too. They aren't stingy about what comes out of their sink and there is always the bathroom sink, if you don't mind that.

Do I really have to tell you not to drink out of the pool?

That brings up another point. No swimming without a lifeguard.

If there is swimming after dark. Don't even ask if you can go, stay far away from the swimming area. I may be repeating myself, but you really just don't want to know. Honestly, just follow your curfew. There are things out there that you can never unsee.

"The Society of Constant Accusations":

This is a group of human beings. There are all types of people playing in the SCA. The same rules of safety apply here as they do in the mundane world. Don't go off with strangers. Try to stay with crowds as much as possible and don't go off alone with someone of the opposite gender, if you are homosexual, the same gender, or bi, anyone. Rumors fly. These are human beings, they see something and draw their own conclusions, they tell someone else, they process it through their minds in their own way, drawing yet another conclusion. Then they tell someone else, and so forth. you drink something that's not in a water bottle and then go off into the night with your best friend's brother/sister alone to look for them and the next thing you know, someone is telling your parents that you got drunk and seduced someone twice your age. Best to avoid that can of worms in the first place.

Be careful who you are seen entering the coed shower with. Be careful who you share a tent with. Never enter someone's tent that isn't yours or your parents and never enter your tent with someone who is not related to you unless otherwise specified by your mom and dad.

Some folks its true about, its because of them that when they don't see you doing anything bad, they simply assume that you haven't been caught yet. Their imaginations run wild and they create elaborate stories. Just watch your actions and words and follow these few simple rules of thumb. Simply don't leave room for supposition.

Another note:

Also, wear those tags they tell you to with your information on it. They give it to you for a reason. I fell down the stairs at an event last year and smacked my head pretty hard. I lost some memory(don't worry, I'm fine now) and I had blacked out for a moment. If it had been worse and someone found me that didn't know who I was, well they could just ask around because I've been in so long and what not, but being younger, you don't always hang out in the same circles as the older folks. If that were to happen to one of you, it would be harder to find out who you are and who to take you to. I am an adult so they can administer first aid to me, but even with a medical waiver, your parents have to be notified. It is not to keep track of you, or keep you in line. It was not thought of by 'big brother'. It was thought of by people that have seen young ones get hurt and they spent hours trying to figure out who the parent was. I care very deeply about all of you; please keep the ID tags on!

Now, don't let any of this scare you. Remember; it's a game, as well as educational, and it's supposed to be fun.

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Copyright 2009 by Kathleen M. Anlage, 6221 Alfredo Dr. W., Jacksonville FL. 32244. <crazedkat3 at yahoo.com>. Permission is granted for republication in SCA-related publications, provided the author is credited. Addresses change, but a reasonable attempt should be made to ensure that the author is notified of the publication and if possible receives a copy.

If this article is reprinted in a publication, I would appreciate a notice in the publication that you found this article in the Florilegium. I would also appreciate an email to myself, so that I can track which articles are being reprinted. Thanks. -Stefan.