If there was no S.C.A.

[Elayne Hoover]

I for one know that the world is full of other organizations who do 
similar things.  Yes, if the SCA were not around, I could still fill the 
gap.  But, It's rare to find the many smaller hobbies combined into one 
single club.  It's an archery club, a martial arts club, a camping club, 
a cooking club, a sewing club, an embroidery club, a dancing club, a 
research club, a historical re-creation club..... all in one.  If I 
decide tommorrow that I never want to hold a rapier again, and I only 
want to sing songs.....I don't have to leave one club and join another.  
I don't lose contact with all my fencing friends.  If the SCA didn't 
exist, I would take taikwondo more seriously, be more involved in the 
drama departement at my university, find a sewing circle, and do my own 
private research.  Yeah, I could do all the stuff I'm interrested in, 
but I don't think I'd be this happy with my life.  I'd be really lonely.

Just my thoughts on it,
Ghia

Casey Weed wrote:
> 
> Dieterich Hier,
> 
>         Just an addendum to what has already been said about what our
> members would do if the S.C.A. dissappeared tommorrow...
>         I think many of you are under the impression that the S.C.A. is the
> only medievally oriented history group out there or that the others are
> somehow 'inferior'.  Although it is true that the fantasy groups by far
> outnumber them, there are a healthy number of clubs that somewhat parallel
> ours.  These include the Order of Saynte George, the Live Steel Society,
> Legio IX, and a number of organizations that specialize in later period
> research.  Outside the role-playing end of the spectrum but just as
> fascinating are groups such as the Richard III Society that are dedicated
> more towards research.
>         Not to bash our club, mind you, but ALL of the organizations above
> have much higher standards concerning historical accuracy and some of them
> are actually credited with significant advancements in our knowledge of
> history.  The idea of research through 'living-history' is neither new nor
> exclusive and it's an area we seem to be lacking in.  But I digress...
>         The three things I most love about our club are: learning about man
> after Rome and before the gun reigns supreme on the field, playing the part
> of someone in history, as well as the martial experience of fighing by our
> rules.  Their Excellencies Galen and Bors have already touched on the
> fighting- any dojo can help you fill that gap, complete with a code of
> honor, a rank structure, and sense of 'fair play'.  The other two elements
> can be supported in any of the groups I mention above.  Other outlets that I
> have noticed are common attractors to scadians are the theatre (to satisfy
> the love of roleplaying), role playing games (they dont appeal to *me* but
> some find that they give an adequate outlet), pursuit of degrees in related
> areas (I know an armorer who has a PHD in Metallurgy), and avid
> participation in the world of art (Dieterich tips his hat to Mistress
> Aquillane).
>         I guess my point is this: if the S.C.A. dissappeared tommorrow, I
> know I have PLENTY of outlets for all the aspects of it that I enjoy.  The
> idea that "the S.C.A. could be 'taken away'" is absolutely ludicrous to me-
> how do you 'take away' someones interests?  If, after the S.C.A. somehow
> dissolved, you lost interest in history, athletics, art, role-playing,
> sewing, etc. I say that you were never really in it in the first place and
> lose nothing.
>         As a parting shot, I'd like to make a challenge...
>         I would like to hear/read as many of you as possible, in your own
> words, define the S.C.A. as it should be found in an encyclopedia.
>         I would also like to hear/read your 'mission statement' for the
> S.C.A.. In other words, in one sentence describe our goal.
> 
>                 Giving you yet another headache,
> 
>                         Dieterich Kempernich von Eltz
>