Newcomers: Answers for Common Questions

	Garb is the word we use to specify SCA clothes. You will often see on a schedule that an activity says “in garb” or “wear modern clothes.” Make starter garb on your own or with help from members who offer themselves as resources. Ask the Chatelaine for help finding resources like teachers, patterns, online lessons, or websites where ready-to-wear garb can be purchased..
	Purchase garb and other goods online or directly from merchants at events. Ask the Chatelaine or query our FaceBook group for recommendations.
	We have a selection of loaner garb for use until you can acquire your own.  Contact the keeper of the garb, the Gold Key chatelaine, to make arrangements.
	Attend court at an event to learn who is who, see awards given out, and share in the pageantry. If the event is a camping event, bring your own chair to sit in. Avoid allowing modern items, like a smartphone or Starbucks cup, to be easily visible to others. Be sure your device is on silent, just like at the movies.
	It is customary for us to reverence (bow or curtsy) when we pass in front of the Thrones – where the Crowns sit side by side. Doing this helps us all give a physical cue that we are not being “modern world.” We do this every time we pass in front of the Thrones, even when there is not someone sitting there. We bow to the King and Queen and other nobles we pass or who walk near us, as a sign of respect. You can learn the etiquette by observing court. Feel free to ask someone next to you what is expected.
	At camping events some people host open social areas with a fire pit or other beautiful light sources in an inviting space. Always speak a greeting and ask if you may join, because sometimes a camp has an activity specific to that household going on, and is not open for visitors. Wandering the grounds to visit open camps can be wonderful. Ask the Chatelaine if you want an escort.
	Every group that hosts an event must pay to rent the site and usually collects a fee for the day or the weekend called a “gate fee.” Look for the desk or small pavilion called Gate to take care of this and get information about where to camp and/or the rules of a particular site.
	Modern disposable cups or thermal beverage containers are discouraged and most people bring a pottery or glass cup or mug to every event to hold their beverage of choice. This is essential starter gear. Many individual camps at an  event have water and drinks to share if you find yourself in need. You will also want to have a cup for hot drinks made of pottery. Look for pottery vendors in Merchant’s Row, or go to an arts festival where community potters are selling their creations.
	Some sites are “dry” (for example, a city park where alcoholic beverages are not permitted) and other sites permit the consumption of alcohol, following all the local guidelines for legal use. It is usually OK to bring your own alcoholic beverages to the latter events (except in Canada, where different laws apply.) People bring a beverage of choice to an event – whatever the beverage, pour from that aluminum can or plastic bottle into your pottery or glass cup or mug. Some people brew beer or wine as part of their re-creation of history and share their creativity with those of legal age.
	At camping events, when you aren’t sure what to do or need help, you can always look for our baronial pavilion to ask someone for help or advice. The pavilion will be pitched somewhere along the edge of the large open area of the medieval combat field, and will have the Madrone banner dislayed.
	When you ‘re going to an event, as you get close to the destination, look for signs like this one to help direct you to the entrance and where to park. This is especially useful for large camping events in rural areas on a farm.

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SCA-WELCOME HOME from Raiya Corsiglia on Vimeo.