Advice for Youth

This page is intended to provide advice to youth new to the SCA.  Since I am a little old to be considered a youth, I'm looking for youth that want to contribute to this page.  I do have a little advice:

1.  Jump right in!  At events go to the classes, go to the tournaments even if you can't participate, and talk to people.   You will find a lot of youth who are looking for a friend to keep them company while their parents are busy whacking people in the lists.

2.  SCA people are very friendly, but don't wander off with anyone.  Same rules as you use in everyday life when it comes to strangers, don't trust them unless the parents say it is safe.

3.  Offer to help out.  You will meet people, get to be involved, the work isn't very hard, and sometimes you even get a reward other than the satisfaction of a job well done.

4.  If someone yells 'Hold', FREEZE!   Something is dangerous and it might be you that is going to get hurt.  Hold means stop whatever you are doing and look around.  You will hear it during fighting, but people use it everywhere when they need everyone to freeze for their own safety.

5.  Do NOT play with a weapon and do NOT touch anything that is not yours.  This includes boffer weapons!  These are not toys and they are dangerous.  If you would like to see a weapon, and the owner is not busy, you can ask politely if you can see it.

6.  Don't go running around crowded areas screaming.  It annoys people quickly and you may very well end up having to sit with your parents all day.

Everybody, send me your advice!  For more advice (from people a little bit younger than me) check the links page for sites that are made for youth new to the SCA.