Pennsic for Youth
A guide from Mistress Leonete D’Angely, East Kingdom Chancellor Minor and Pennsic Youth University Coordinator
What Can I Do At Pennsic?
So you are in the 11-17 age range, and you are going to Pennsic. Maybe you are super excited. Maybe you are going because Mom and Dad said so. Maybe you wait all year to be able to fight twice a day. Maybe you aren’t so sure there is anything that interests you in this SCA thing. Either way, there is so much for your age group to do at Pennsic. This is a basic overview of some of the options. There is no way I could fit all of the activities into one article, so please check the Pennsic University Schedule and your site book for more ideas and options.
Martial Activities
Armored and Rapier Combat are the two main activities where youth cannot generally participate alongside adults. We do have Youth Rapier and Youth Armored Combat! These activities require special equipment. There may be some for loan, but you would need to check in at that activity. You should bring your parent/guardian with you at least the first time and then ask about the specific rules from there.
Youth Armored Combat – (ages 6-17) 8/3-8/10 Most Days 8:00AM – 10:30AM and 3:00PM – 5:00PM. Check the schedule for special tourneys or cancellations.
Youth Rapier – (ages 6-17) 8/6-8/10 9:00AM – NOON
Archery – Range is open with some exceptions from 8/2-8/4 11:00AM – 3:00PM, 8/5-8/9, and 8/11 9:00AM – 5:00PM. There is a family range geared towards those under 14, but youth are also welcome to shoot at the other ranges. There is a youth specific tournament on 8/8 at NOON.
Thrown Weapons – Range is open 8/2-8/10 9:00AM – 5:00PM. Youth Tourney is 8/9 at 10:00AM.
Performance
Enjoy acting, singing, or improv at home? These activities are for you. Some of them are a weeklong commitment, though.
Youth Reader’s Theater – Geared towards 14 and under, staged reading of A Bag Full of Fables. Rehearsals 8/3 and 8/4: 12-2, performance 8/4 at 6pm in the Performing Arts Tent.
Commedia dell’Arte – Fancy way of saying Medieval/Renaissance Improv. Geared for 10-17 year olds. Rehearsals 8/6-8/10: 9:00AM-10:00AM, 8/11 12pm-1, Performance at 6:00PM in Performing Arts Tent.
Youth Choir – 8/6-8/9 NOON – 1:00PM. Geared for those gentles aged 12-19. There is a children’s choir as well for the younger set. Performance is the evening of Thursday, 8/10.
Classes
Want to learn something new? The only classes off limits to those under 18 are classes that are clearly marked as such, usually because they involve alcohol, mature topics, or are in private camps. Youth are welcome at all other Pennsic University classes. However, we have organized a set of classes geared specifically towards youth and teens. You can find them by searching YouthU or TeenU on the PennsicU website. There are a ton of classes, but here are a few highlights:
Do a martial activity? Play a sport at home? Learn some strategies for increasing your strength and endurance with Teen Training (8/4 10:00AM – 11:00AM) Bring a towel or yoga mat.
Learn about service and getting what you want out of events with Retaining 101 (8/2 11:00AM – NOON) , Youth Ideas Matter (8/6 2:00PM – 3:00PM), and I Want to Help At Events (8/7 3:00PM – 4:00PM),
Want to learn how to make your voice carry? Interested in reading scrolls? These classes are for you! Public Speaking for Teens (8/3 10:00AM-11:00AM), Tournament Heraldry and List Running (8/6 1:00PM– 1:30PM), and Voice Heraldry (8/10 NOON – 1:00PM)
Volunteering
Pennsic Runs on volunteers, and there are a lot of places where youth are welcome to help. Volunteer Point is open 9:00AM-2:00PM daily at the Town Hall next to the ice store. They can help match you with volunteer opportunities appropriate for your age and skills.
Other Events of Note
Youth A&S Display: This is a non-judged display open to all youth. It is located at Family Point, on Monday, August 7th. Set-up from 9:00AM-10:00AM; items on display from 10:00AM – NOON; clean-up from NOON – 12:30PM. Submission forms for entries will be available online and at Family Point.
EK Teen Party – Monday, August 7th from 7:00PM – 10:00PM in EK Royal. Open to all gentles 13-17
Aethelmearc Teen/Tween Party– Saturday, August 5th, 6:00PM-9:00PM. Open to those 10+.
I hope that this list of activities helps you discover something new this Pennsic!
*Note* Activities and Times are subject to change. Any mistakes are entirely the fault of Leonete. This is not an exhaustive list of all activities, and my apologies if I have left anything out.
NO PROGRAMS, ACTIVITIES OR EVENTS TAKING PLACE AT WAR ARE INTENDED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR THE PROPER ADULT SUPERVISION OF MINORS.
Sources:
Pennsic U: http://thing.pennsicuniversity.org
Pennsic 46 Website: http://www.pennsicwar.org/penn46/
Pennsic 46 Family Activities page: http://www.pennsicwar.org/penn46/ACTIVITIES/familyschedule.html
Pennsic Youth Choir: https://sites.google.com/site/kwcpennsicchoir/home/pennsic-choir/pennsic-youth-choir
Aethelmearc Teen/Tween Party: https://aethelmearcgazette.com/2017/06/21/teentween-party-at-pennsic