Why would anyone want to be part of the S.C.A.?

Officially, the S.C.A. is an educational organization, and that is what a lot of people are in it for, to learn, however, a lot are in it just for the fun of it too. "The Society is an organization of non-conformists, a cauldron of creativity, a source of lasting friendships -- at its best, it is an oasis of honor and nobility in sentiment and deed, within the sometimes desert that is modern life."

Some folks who 'play in the S.C.A.' are perhaps really trying to 'play at who they really are', which is sometimes separate from the life they live in the modern jungle. Certainly, some of us take the opportunity to try on other aspects of our own selves. Everyone in the Society creates a "persona" or character if you like (we prefer 'persona', since this is not a play, or a performance) -- for some, it's as simple as coming up with a period type name through research etc; others create intricate genealogies and personal histories. Generally the rule is to 'play' as "someone who could have lived in the Middle Ages or Renaissance, but didn't." This eliminates both fantasy characters and actual historical persons. So no Gandalf's or Henry VIII's allowed. This is the primary difference between the S.C.A. and "Renaissance Faires".

We also do "demos" to teach about the period/s (anything between the years 600AD and 1600AD... although some may stretch the dates to include 450AD-1650AD) and let others know what the S.C.A. is about. The Society is primarily participatory, not a spectator sport. At events -- like tournaments, feasts, royal courts, arts & sciences competitions, dances, revels -- everyone attending is expected to wear at least an attempt at period-style clothing. Many groups have loaner garb to help out with that in case you wish to attend an event but just 'have nothing to wear'. And of course you are expected to behave as a courteous lord or lady ought, helping weave the illusion of being in a chivalrous time gone by.

Many of us also delve deeper in studying particular aspects that interest us such as needle arts, bardic arts, fighting, cooking and just about anything that you can think of, someone does it, and some actually do extensive research, bringing up pearls from primary sources to add to our knowledge of the times, as we seek to better re-create the period.

So (regardless of whether you also pay to be a card-carrying member of S.C.A. Inc., and you don't have to unless you wish to be a fighter), feel free to "join us in remaking a corner of the world -- even if only for a few hours at a time -- into a time-lost realm where chivalry, gentility, and "the joys of gentle dalliance" yet live."