Hospitable Words - Dreaming on a Budget

Question of the Day

I saw this medieval group at a fair and it looks really cool. I would like to get involved but isn’t SCA expensive?

Sincerely, Looking for the Dream


Thanks for the question, Looking for the Dream. The SCA is a hobby. As such, the answer falls in the area of that depends on how much you want to invest in a hobby. Any hobby can be expensive. You could, in theory, easily find ways to spend several thousand dollars on clothes, camp equipment and armor.

But to have an enjoyable and rewarding experience in the SCA – You Don’t Have To!

You don’t even have to be a paid member to participate (you do have to be a paid member to hold office and members get a $5 member discount on events). SCA can be a rewarding and immersive experience with minimal investment monetarily but with tremendous returns in fun, friendships and community. Local SCA meetings are free and require no more than an interest and attendance. There are costs to participate and enjoy some events. Events cost an average of $20 for a day trip per person to an average of 40 per person, including a bed space and feast for an overnight weekend event. For families, children are often reduced or free and no more than 3 adults will be charged within a family. This rule is so that the SCA is not cost prohibitive to large families as we want everyone to be able to come and join the fun.

An attempt at medieval garb is required for most events. This can be daunting for many new members but these items can be simply made with fabric using coupons. Most areas have a collection of garb called “Gold Key” which you may borrow from for your first few events. Be sure to ask your local Hospitaller for more information and help. Feast gear can come out of your own kitchen and need not be expensive. Like most hobbies, there is no way to escape spending money to do things you wish to invest in, but the cost range is wide and varied depending on the interest and often people can aid you with advice on how to start out economically.

Searching online also provides many guides and clever ideas for participating in the SCA on a budget.

Dream big – on a Budget!

Kindly,
Lady Thyri Bersi