What are some SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) social networks?

Question

Is there an SCA version of Myspace?

I'm pretty insular- how do I go about finding other SCA people who have interests like my own without either a) volunteering/participating in activity after activity while quietly seeking or b) subjecting people I meet to 'So what are you into, do you like___' etc?

I'm really not interested in Amtgard (no one in my area anyhow) or Ren Faires (No interest in making it a business).

I've checked the yahoo groups, but I'm not gung-ho about my interests, I just like to dabble, and all those people seem far more focused than I am.

I have been in the SCA for 16 years, and I'm aware of the SCA main site and so forth- it's that I've moved around so much that I no longer have any social connections, and thus far I do NOT like the (majority of) people I've met in Bjornsborg. The people that I've met that I DO enjoy being around already have their niche and social circle.

It has been explained to me, and stated within my hearing, that most of the people here do not warm up to new people because they've already long established their comfort zone.

Answer 1

Perhaps what I need to ask of you is what are you seeking from people with similar interests to your own? Are you looking for only a few people that share multiple interests so there are fewer to have to keep up with, or could it possibly be that you have a need for something else that goes deeper than this? (No offense, I'm just very analytical). Remember that no two people are the same and everyone will have different interests.

I dabble in many things and do not focus intently on more than just a few. To seek information and connect with others who do the same I am on many yahoo lists and read them more when I get the itch to do a particular thing, and do less when I need a break. The people who I actually hang out with I met by going to events (doing my own activities), by going to activity nights of interest, and through friends I have already met from the above two.

The thing about the SCA, and you know this from doing it for 16 years, is that you do have to reach out a little to meet with people with similar interests. You can pursue your own thing by your lonesome until your heart is content. The best source I can think of to find people with similar interests is to just seek the lists of things you like and go from there.

Does your group (either local or barony) have specific meeting nights for different activities? I have different friends from different activities that I dabble in - some focus mostly on garb, others in archery, others in rapier, fiber arts, etc. We also have people who share an interest in the SCA and often will do non-SCAdian stuff like repelling or knitting blankets for sick children.

I am sorry to hear you had trouble from a settled group who treats newcomers indifferently. They'll feel it later as the old stock rotates out and no new stock is coming in. Have you tried reaching out to the chatelaine/hospitaller at the baronial or kingdom level? Maybe it is something with the local group that needs to be addressed. I don't think we have that problem in Atlantia. :)

Answer 2

There is no centralized SCA social network. SCA members are as vast and different as any person you may meet.

www.sca.org is where you go to find more information. The local groups will have their own Group List which in many cases will be yahoo groups. You can go to sca.org to find local groups.

You can also search places like YahooGroups or MeetUp and other Group List services for SCA groups and join them to chat with other SCA people both locally and across the globe.

#1. SCA people are (on the whole) not put out when you ask them their interests. I encourage you to ask away with the caveat that you may get more of an answer than you bargained for. Many SCAdians, as SCA members are known, as will expound greatly and in extreme detail on their interests. It is all about the learning and the teaching.

#2 The SCA is made of of many people who are getting many different things out of the SCA some volunteer all the time everywhere. Its what they like to do. Some don't volunteer much at all and they enjoy the social aspect. You are not required to do any of these things.

#3 You do not have to be a member of the SCA to participate or speak to SCA people about their interests.

Basically all these things are true with the understanding that people are people no matter what. If you ask what are you interested in and they do not want to talk about it to you then that is not necessarily an SCA thing just that person.

I suggest you state your own interests to others, such as, you like this, that and the other thing and mention you are aware of the SCA and are not looking to participate at this time but are interested in conversing about these subjects.

As I said before you may get an earful. Join the lists, be polite and respectful.

Laraque

Answer 3

Google SCA or the Society for Creative Anachronism.
Also look on Meetup.com for groups.
And finally, check out Amtguard too, similar type group.

Answer 4

I think it's just a matter of finding your local groups and going to events.. ( I haven't even noticed any on meetup. com.. there may be in your area, but. *shrug*) Sometimes there will be some yahoo groups.. (I'd start searching for yahoo groups for local ren faires.. and see if they have listings of local SCA groups)

I know all of our local faires have their own yahoo groups..

Answer 5

Maybe yahoo groups have one~
I prefer the Amarna period of Kemet- "Ancient Egypt", so I don't know...