[Ansteorra] $7 Pennsic camp fee

[Susan McMahill]

Dear Lady,
 
I have never met you or your husband, that I am aware of, but I have noted the many times that you and your lord husband have taken on the role of 'camp mom and dad.' Your service to the citizens of the Kingdom are well known to many of us who have not had the opportunity to enjoy your hospitality. I hope that some day, I may experience what those many have praised.
 
I have never been to Pennsic, and won't be able to go for some years yet. I think that the amount of money is not so much the issue, but rather how it was presented. I too read the initial message as you either pay the $7 or you can't camp with Ansteorra. Now, I very much understand that you and your lord husband would like to make this trip more of a break even sort of thing, rather than footing so much of the cost, but would suggest that it could have been presented in a better way. 
 
I am going to show my ignorance here, and please forgive me, but how did you come to be the camp 'host/hostess?'  Were you actually appointed by the Crown, or is this just a role that you have taken on. If you were asked to do this, then I would suggest that it should have been someone representing the Crown that should have made the request. If this is a role that you have taken without the Crown actually acting, but another group has asked, then I would have gotten the approval from the Crown for such a fee, and again have it presented in a more "official" manner. If this is a job that you have assumed on your own, well...it should have been presented as a donation, not a fee, and it should not have included remarks that were guaranteed to be inflammatory, like where it was said something like:  If you don't want to pay the fee, camp somewhere else. I cannot find the original posting for a direct quote, but that is the way that I read it. It very much seemed that those that could attend Pennsic, would not be permitted to camp with their own Kingdom, but be outcast. I could not believe that our Kingdom's hospitality could be so exclusive.
 
I would also suggest that most of the costs be absorbed by a meal-plan fee. This should include whatever propane will cost for food prep, cooking, clean-up, and lighting of the kitchen area in addition to actual food costs. I would also ask for donations of cash/supplies and even keep a 'tip' or donation jar in camp where folks can chip in a little extra.
 
A final suggestion...no one forces anyone to take on jobs in the SCA. You and your lord husband have done this sort of things many times and are aware of the costs that you incur, yet you took on the task again, knowing them. Before taking on a role such as 'camp mom and dad,' there was another option....the word 'no' comes to mind. It's the toughest two-letter word on the planet, but could and should be used from time to time. If you were asked to take this role, even by the Crown, it would have been possible to say, "Your Majesties, we are most honored by your request, but we have decided that this year, we would like to enjoy Pennsic in the way that most others do, watching the fighting, shopping, and enjoying our 'period' vacation. Perhaps we can discuss this again in your next reign."
 
Anyway, that is my two cents worth. Please do not take this missive as critical in any way, it is not meant to be, only to present what I see was the main issue, how the message was originally stated, and possible ways to smooth the waters in future encampments, should there be one.
 
Well-behaved women Seldom make history - Laurel Thatcher Ulrich


 
> Date: Fri, 20 May 2011 01:56:51 -0500
> From: aferrell at greatambience.com
> To: ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org
> Subject: [Ansteorra] $7 Pennsic camp fee
> 
> Yikes, I didn't mean to make anyone feel excluded or unwelcome.
> The whole idea behind a group encampment is to come together.
> The fee was decided after a lot of thought and conversations with many.
> 
> /The kingdom and populace encampment are to support Ansteorra as whole.
> We are one, not a series of individual camps. Everyone is asked to 
> pitch in
> for the good of all. That's why, for example, you'll see Sir Wilhelm 
> taking out
> the trash, or Aingeal bringing water to the fighters.
> *We collectively act and contribute for the honor and glory of Ansteorra.*/
> 
> When you go to an event in Ansteorra, the site fee goes to the 
> sponsoring group
> who provides things such as water, pickles, trash bags, lighting in the 
> common
> area and such. At Pennsic, your site fees do not contribute to this. 
> Your camp fee will.
> 
> To make things more equitable every adult is being asked to pitch in 
> $7. For most Ansteorrans,
> this comes out to be a $1 per day at Pennsic. I don't think this is too 
> much to ask of people
> to make the Ansteorra camp more hospitable for both Ansteorrans and 
> visitors.
> 
> I hope this clarifies that the camp fee isn't for individual services
> but for things that better the encampment as a whole.
> 
> 
> sincerely,
> Seraphina
> 
> 
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