How Do I Get Started?

1. Contact the Shire Chatelaine
   Your Shire Chatelaine is there to help you get started. She'll help you figure out basic issues like what sort of persona you want to have, answer questions, and direct you to people who share your interests. Please contact our Shire Chatelaine for more information.
   
2. Attend a Business Meeting
   The Shire of Greyhope hosts a business meeting every month, except August, usually the first Monday of every month at 7:00 p.m. Meetings are currently being held at the Valparaiso Library, and you may contact our Shire Chatelaine or Seneschal if you have questions. Check out our directions page for how to get there. 
   The monthly Business Meeting is open to everyone. They are a great way to meet members of the Shire and learn more about what events we are planning, and how you can get involved.
   The Shire provides a list of monthly activities along with a monthly calendar of events to help you get started!
   
3. Attend Practices and Meetings that Interest You
   The Shire has weekly practices for heavy weapons and rapier fighting. Most of our practices are open to all comers regardless of experience, and it's the ideal place to start learning about the parts of the Current Middle Ages you are most interested in. 
   We hold Greyhope Academy on the third Wednesday of every month at 7PM. During Greyhope Academy, a Shire member will teach other members about an Art or Science that existed during the Middle Ages & Renaissance. Sometimes this changes to an available weekend day if the class needs to be more “hands on” or if the scale of the class to be taught requires more time. 
   See our Activities page for info on this months Greyhope academy.
   Our Knight Marshal likes to hold armoring weekends [for making and repairing armor] at his home when his schedule allows for it. Information will be posted on the Activities Page when the next armoring session is scheduled.
   
   We like to hold sewing circles on weekends when possible. We currently do not have one planned in the immediate future, but anticipate having one soon. Information will be posted on the Activities Page when a sewing circle is scheduled.
   
4. Come to Local Events
   Greyhope is fortunate to have many neighboring shires and a few baronies in close proximity, so there is almost always an event within easy driving distance. Events are where you can see the SCA in full flower - fighting, feasting, arts and sciences displays and other medieval amusement. Most events require an entry fee, and you will be required to make a "reasonable attempt at pre-1600 clothing" (what people in the SCA frequently refer to as "garb.") When you plan to attend an event, be sure to contact your Shire Chatelaine first. Our Chatelaine can set you up with garb to wear, and can make sure that there are people at the event who are available to meet you and answer questions.
   You can find information about Shire events by visiting the Shire Events section of the Greyhope website. For information on Kingdom level events, and particularly to find out about neighboring Baronial events, check out the Middle Kingdome Calendar of Events web page.
   Some simple tips to make your SCA experience more fun...
   1. Ask lots of questions. No one expects a new person to know what things mean, or how to do stuff. But we don't know what you don't know unless you ask.
      
   2. Try stuff out. The SCA is not a spectator sport. It's about getting some hands-on experience in what the Middle Ages might have been, could have been, and (as many will tell you) should have been. So whatever interests you, try it out! We all have first tunics, first bouts on the list field, first times serving feasts. "Firsts" are hardly ever perfect, so don't get discouraged. Keep trying!
      
   3. Be Patient. There's so much new stuff. New people, new things, new lingo, new customs. It's easy to get overwhelmed or feel unsure of yourself. It's okay, we were all there once, we know how you feel. Don't feel like you have to learn everything all at once. Getting along here is really very simple. Until you really have a grip on all the titles, it's okay to call people "my lord" and "my lady" when you address them. If someone's wearing a crown (of any description) bow to show your respect. (Just a little one is okay for now). Be kind and courteous to everyone. You'll do fine.

Still have questions?
Contact the Greyhope

Related Pages
Back to the Chatelaine's Page
Getting Started in the SCA |  Newcomer FAQ |  Special Information for Parents with Kids