We have a big demo annually at a beautiful granite fort which is a state park. It brings between 1000-1700 members of the general public on a single Saturday in September who see a day of SCA activities, staged somewhat like a theatre show or a circus – there is a large green where the “performances” happen and the “audience” is around them.
We have a parade, fencing, music, dancing, and a pas d’armes – the set takes about 2.5 hours and there is a fashion show in the middle before the second set begins. We also have A&S displays and martial displays happening around the fort. All four of the SCA groups in Maine attend and assist at this demo and sometimes folks will come from even farther to play!
Because it can be overwhelming, one year I made a SCAvenger Hunt to help littler ones have a good experience. It worked really well! The next year we got neighboring Malagentia’s Mistress Carolyne de laPointe, to make a little scroll for us to give as a certificate. We photocopy them on cool paper and sign their name in calligraphy. We change some things every year and even adults get into the spirit of the thing!
- it gives a goal and some focus
- it ensures that visitors have an idea of all we do
- people get a checklist of things to try
- it is rewarding on its own; more with a token upon completion
- it can be done on any timeframe (minutes or hours!)
- it is easily adaptable
- it is very inexpensive
- it encourages people to interact with our SCA members and ask questions about the Society
Here is what we use – make some for your demo or event. We print them on half-pages of regular sized paper.
Or maybe give younglings a token when they complete the hunt!
This is our certificate:
SCAventer Hunt for 2011
There is a lot going on today! Do the things listed, and
get an SCA member initials beside what you’ve tried.
When you’re finished, come to the Info Point inside the
Fort for a special certificate!
Learn and say a medieval name.
Listen to a piece of music.
Touch something handmade.
Hold a piece of chain maile.
Touch a ballista.
Hold a sword.
Talk to someone in armor.
Count the feathers on an arrow.
Try on a helmet.
Find someone wearing a kirtle.
(These we print and cut to quarter-page.)
