Learning New Skills

The best reason to join a reenactment group is the opportunity to learn a new skill.  In my case, the skill was fencing.  I always wanted to learn how to fence but I never knew where to begin.

The SCA(Society for Creative Anachronism) solved that problem because in the SCA you begin by talking to the people in your group about your interests.  Tell someone you’re interested in becoming a fencer and pretty soon you’re being introduced to the fencing marshal.  The fencing marshal and your fellow fencers then guide you through the requirements of becoming an authorized fencer and show you where to buy swords and doublets.

The best part of all this, the lessons are free, or the most it will cost you is the floor fee (sometimes fencers have to contribute towards the rent of the practice space.  Currently the average is $5.)

If you’re not sure fencing is for you, the SCA has loaner gear:  masks, gloves, swords, etc. on hand so you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars only to find out fencing is not for you.

Nor do you need previous experience.  I found the atmosphere in the SCA to be so encouraging of people learning new skills that I would say the attitude of the fencing marshals is there is no such thing as a bad fencer, just one that needs practice.

And you get lifetime support.  There’s always someone ready to answer questions about maintaining weapons, advice on how to improve, and a network in place to keep up with the latest advances.

When I joined Ye Pyrate Brotherhood, I never shot a gun.  And again I found the same kind of enthusiastic encouragement from the group.  I was taught how to safely handle a gun, load and clean it as well as getting advice on where to buy a black powder weapon.

Reenactment groups are full of true enthusiasts who love to teach newcomers the skills they possess and continue to help them improve.  All a person has to do is ask.  So don’t be shy, ask away.  Explore the past by learning how to brew,  sew, weave or play a period instrument.  This reminds me I need to talk to my bosun about him teaching me his neat trick of tying a rope into handcuffs.

If you think learning an “old” skill would be totally useless in today’s society, then read this article about an English Civil War reenactor who foiled a robbery with skills he learned in his group. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2184465/Heroic-Civil-War-buff-uses-400-year-old-Cavalier-fighting-skills-disarm-knife-wielding-robber-attacked-shop-worker.html