SCA 101
Priorities (or SCA 101)
1. Start playing! This means you'll need a few things, but don't worry, we have stuff you can borrow until you get your own!
Playing means you attend and participate in the SCA. Attending can be at whatever level you currently feel comfortable. You can go to practices (fighter, dance, bardic, business meetings, etc), and events. DON'T do everything right at first! Explore, but stay in your comfort zone :) The plan is to HAVE FUN, in order to do that, you can't be totally overwhelmed.
2. Figure out what your really LIKE in the modern middle ages. The SCA lets you choose what you would like to participate in. Before you commit heavily to one thing, be sure to explore! You won't know if you like fighting, bardic, heraldry, cooking, service, archery, or sewing until you TRY IT! Take lots of classes. Go to lots of different practices. Ask lots of questions! The SCA is a big organization with a ton of options. Make sure you have sampled what is available.
3. Be informed. SCA people LIKE new people, and we LIKE to answer questions! You are the future of our organization! If you aren't finding the answers you seek locally, consult the internet. Not only are there huge mailing lists full of people to ask, but there are also lots of websites (like this!). Keep in mind that humans are human, rushing up and asking a million questions when someone is on their way to the bathroom? Not likely to get you nearly as friendly a response as if you look around for someone who looks like they have time to talk. Educate yourself! The SCA has a ton of information that is readily available, both as handouts and online.
http://www.sca.org/officers/chatelain/newcomers.html
(please see next post here: https://sites.google.com/site/kadasresearch/newcomers/sca-150)