Newcomers Event

A newcomers event is an event in the SCA specifically geared towards new people. Often this is held in areas that have affiliated post secondary clubs where there are influxes of new people in bulk that can be planned for, but can be held anywhere it may be befitting.

Newcomers events are great when they are graced with courts and feasts, giving newcomers a rounded experience for expectations in court, how feasts are done and interactions with Royals. This type of event is best suited for indoors, and generally do not include fighting tournaments but instead focus on instruction of etiquette and expectations within the SCA.

Classes

Newcomers events have classes that introduce people to how the SCA works. Classes range on topics from garb, how to behave, the structure, types of events and what to do.

The University of Tir Righ (TUTR) has an entire curriculum designed around the SCA with the newcomers in mind. These classes generally are given an hour to go over things and take questions, but can be condensed or be hand-outs for people to take as needed.

An example of a day's classes at a one day event could be structured:

Intro to SCA - Structure & How it Works

Courtly Chivalry & Etiquette

Combat Protocols & Etiquette

Surviving & Thriving in the SCA

Keeping Busy - What to Do?

Medieval Dance

Court

When court is held at this event it is a great opportunity to pair up newcomers with an escort who knows the drill for when they are called up for this being their first event, allowing them to go through the process of where to bow. It is also an excellent time to call up the long-time players who can make a good laugh in court to show that this part of the SCA does not need to always be serious.

Feast

For newcomers feast having loaner feast gear is always a good idea, alternately passing off old feast gear to new people can also be done.

Merchants and Yard Sale

When a this event happens it is a great chance for long-time SCAdians to bring in garb, gear and other odds and ends that no longer get use to sell or pass off to the newcomers. This can be done by a few means, for free or by cost and pooling as a fundraiser for the branch, private sales or having a dedicated merchant handling money transactions. Merchants who sell items that are commonly used in the SCA are also great additions to the event if space is available.