Their Royal Majesties King Arnthor Inn Sterki and Queen Ceirech Na Hinnsi have a special request of the populace: they would love to fill the positions of A&S Youth Champion and Royal Brewer at the upcoming Kingdom of Æthelmearc Arts & Sciences Championship.
Youth Entry by Simon á Fjárfelli from the Arts & Sciences Championship AS 53 (photo by Master Robert of Ferness)
Our Sylvan Majesties not only enjoy to spotlight their King’s and Queen’s Choice Champions with this event, they also love to to see what the Kingdom’s youth is up to! Especially in these not quite normal times where our youth seems to have grown from six to sixteen just about overnight (due to lack of events to see them on a more regular basis). King Arnthor and Queen Ceirech would love to see what the kingdom’s kids are working on: anything started during the Plague, whether or not it has been finished yet, is welcome. We’d love to have our youth feel welcome and included at A&S events; have them feel special by sharing allll about their favorite thing – instead of their parents!
Brewing entry by Ulf Barelegs at the Arts & Sciences Championship A.S. 53 (photo by Master Robert of Ferness).
Their Majesties are also hoping to find a new Royal Brewer. In the 2021 Kingdom’s Championship at Tavern Brawl, The Honorable Lord Cassiano entered his famous Krupnik in the competition that so greatly impressed Their Majesties, They named The Honorable Lord Cassiano Their Royal Brewer. They were dismayed to find after inquiring that, even though the event site is discreetly wet, zero brewers had pre-registered for their Arts & Sciences Championship! Whom of our Brewing community will take this challenge, and present our Majesties with fermented libations, to vie for the honor of being the Royal Brewer?
But what do I hear there? You are not a youth, and neither are you a brewer? And you are not quite ready to enter a Kingdom Arts & Sciences Championship yet? Not to worry! There will be a large Display area for our industrious populace to showcase their projects, in progress and finished. Documentation is appreciated but not required, although we do appreciate your information. And if you are planning to enter Champs, but have not signed up yet – please help out our event autocrat by pre-registering, it really makes the job a lot less hectic on the day off. That way, he might actually have some time to loiter and enjoy the entries!
To the distinguished peers and populace of Æthelmearc,
At Pennsic War 49 this year, discussions and hours of planning were underway for a new program to be featured at Pennsic War 50. Next year, staff of Pennsic War 50 will help to bring the new generation into our society by fully immersing them into the experience of running a large-scale event such as the annual Pennsic War.
The new Young Adult Internship Program will be running its pilot program at Pennsic 50 and are looking for applicants from the realm to be considered for three internship positions. In this program, interns will be taken through the Mayor’s Office, Land Department or Department of Cultural Affairs branches of the Pennsic War and will be taught both basics and some details of that position. The intention of the program is to provide opportunities for young adults who may be looking to further their knowledge and find their path in the SCA.
The program coordinator and advisors are asking the peers of the realm to take some time and reach out to any young adults who they feel may be interested in taking an internship at Pennsic War 50. We are asking that young adults be in the age range of 18-24 years of age to ensure that we are ushering in the new generation of the SCA into the inner workings of our society.
For applicants to apply, we are asking that a resume with information about any service or work done in the SCA be submitted with a letter of intent specifying the position they are requesting and references for work done with in the kingdom. All SCA resumes can be sent to Internship@pennsicwar.org. Thank you for your consideration and with your help to bring the new generation into the fold of our society.
With gratitude,
Nasira al-Safiya Hatun bint Ivaz
Young Adult Internship Program Coordinator
Requirements for Application
A. Resume with details of any work/service experience in and out of the SCA
B. Personal information such as mundane and SCA name is applicable, age (preferably 18-24 years), kingdom and home address, and contact information such as email address and phone number.
The Society is a place for children of all ages to take on a myriad of project in the arts and sciences, and certainly there is a number of places online and in books, magazines, and handouts where I’ve found projects galore.
But where does a caregiver go to find projects that are worthy of entering in an A&S competition, without creating too much stress for all participants, while successfully obtaining materials readily and cheaply?
The good news is there are plenty of places from which to get ideas without breaking the bank; the better news is that there is such variety within those categories that no one has to repeat anything that’s been done before. With an open mind and ready sources of inspiration, all kids can enter an A&S competition and bring new information to the table for everyone to enjoy.
Block Printing
One of the easiest methods of creating patterns, block printing uses a shape created from some carveable/cuttable material and transfers ink or paint onto fabric, paper, or other material like a stamp. The block, made of wood, linoleum, rubber, foam or even a potato, creates the stamp from which the ink will transfer the design. Block printing is traditionally Asian with the concept predating paper. In India, block printing is used to transfer patterns onto fabric which is then made into clothing. By the 1300s, it would appear that block printing reached Europe and, according to one paper, block print designs were used for children’s clothes, thereby making clothing, linens for household, wall hangings, and paper products all appropriate entries for any child to put into an A&S competition.
Designs for repeated patterns can be simple: Circles, plus signs or Xs, flowers, spirals or geometric designs, stars, and so on. For singular stamps, more intricate designs can help create book pages, fabric art for tablecloths or napkins, or designs for art squares to display on walls. Another useful project is to place single printed pieces on cardstock for holidays or birthdays, or as largess for thank-yous from the Crown.
Clay
Quite possible one of the easiest mediums for most hands large and small, there are also a lot of different ideas that clay can accommodate. Pottery is a popular way to go, and certainly the number of pieces from all regions of the world can allow a budding young artist to pick and choose their subject matter. All cups, bowls, and saucers are useful and can be put together for a child’s first feast gear, or as gifts to give to others.
When it comes to period styles, a little Google can go a long way. For example: one can start here for English Medieval pottery examples, and then they can move on to more specific shapes, sizes, and mixes. In the Middle East and Eastern traditions, there are a number of varieties of bowls, tea cups, and jars to peruse and copy. Or one can research tiles.
With a couple of squares of clay hardening, a kid can let their imagination run wild with this resource that connects to several books all about different styles of tiles of the Middle Ages. Tiles are also not only pretty and decorative, but lovely gifts and great ways of showing techniques and styles in a competition.
But clay can be used for so much more. One key use is as game pieces for a variety of medieval games. Roman Dux and even chess pieces can be created with clay. Also, rather than allowing a child to play with real bones, clay can be manipulated to create a set of knucklebones, the first dice. Dice themselves came in a wide variety of materials.
In addition, runestones are popular, as well as Chinese dominos. Clay tablets were used for writing as well as for creating prayers that were left at temples as offerings. The abacus can be created using small clay donuts as the counters. For other projects, clay can be broken down into pieces to make safe mosaic tiles, and clay can also be used as the material base into which the child presses mosaic tiles. Finally, clay makes for great counterweights for scales, construction projects, and STEM experiments that are medieval or ancient in nature, like the groma or a scale.
Clay can help make masks used in theater performances such as what’s seen in
Roman times or in Asian cultures. If not making the mask itself, clay is a great mold for applying papier-mâché (also period) in order to make funerary molds, coffins, death masks, helmets, doll heads, and so on.
Woodworking/Leatherworking
This is more for the older kids, especially when it comes to knives and other sharp implements of destruction, but can be very rewarding—leather was used for all sorts of containers, accessories, with a number of household applications.
Wood was used for everything at one point in Europe, so much so that entire forests were denuded. Pieces of balsa can also be used to make fans, in miniatures and model making (see later), and for containers of all sorts. Sticks and reeds from out in the wild are useful for everything from measurements, to weapons, to hats and baskets. Larger pieces of wood can be used to carve dolls.
Cooking/Recipe Redaction
Cooking is one of the great ways to get a kid involved with history. When I was
homeschooling my first child, we got a great book from the library that was all about cuisine from other countries, called “Cooking Up World History.” None of the recipes are particularly complicated or involve hard-to-find ingredients. I’ve seen other historical/cultural recipes in other books about history and highly recommend you look around.
In addition, there are a number of “medicinal” recipes for external remedies that kids can redact and show others, such as soapmaking. Another example would be “cold cream” for which Galen was said to invent one of the first recipes. Even henna requires a recipe.
Other examples include honeyed or syrupy dates, butter, hummus varieties, red bean soup, Roman sweet cakes, or handmade soap. Seriously, anything can be turned into a recipe redaction, and Google is your friend for reading ancient recipes by Nostradamus, Pliny the Elder, or Henricus Institor. Through information from Wikipedia and Google, you can find digitized copies of the very first printed cookbook, De honesta voluptate, from 1480.
Weaving
Loom weaving can be achieved using sticks (set up as an open frame) or cardboard for a frame while the warp and weft is created with yarn, thread, or fabric strips. Reeds and sticks can help create basketry of all sorts. Cardboard can also be used for Kumihimo, a Japanese form of weaving that creates fantastic woven ropes for all sorts of projects. Fingerloop weaving is still a valid project. Although tablet weaving requires a more intricate set-up, it isn’t difficult, according to Coblaith Muimnech, who talks about it and many other kid-related activities in detail with complete instructions here.
Sewing and Embroidery
Young children of old were taught to embroider at a young age and it seems that those ideas still work well today. Whether sewing up a stuffie of some sort to decorating a napkin or piece of linen as a favor, there are many patterns that look great and are relatively easy for most kids. In addition, thrift stores can supply an endless cheap supply of cotton squares and other pieces of fabric and sewing notions. Other easy projects include a pillow, a chemise or T-tunic, or maybe a Jorvik cap, with or without embroidery.
Herbal/Apothecary/Aromatherapy
Although making Galen’s cold cream or an herbal tisane used for coughs is in some kids’ wheelhouses, most won’t be as interested in medicines. Thankfully, my research in plants and apothecaries has opened a whole other rabbit hole: aromatherapy. Medieval society was totally into the idea that certain scents created medicinal or magical responses, as well as an entire trade for herbs and spices from all over to excite the senses. I first started making little herbal pillows based on Cunningham’s magical herbs texts, but then applied the same ideas to in-period concepts, helping kids make their own scented sachets using whatever made them feel good. Herbal sachets can be readily made by taking a square or circle of cloth and adding in whatever herbs and spices you have lying around the house. Add a bit of pillow stuffing, tie it up, and you have a wearable or carry-able herbal sachet just like days of old.
In addition, there is a load of traditions in medieval culture involving household (i.e. stuff you can obtain in any grocery or discount store) herbs and spices such as gift-giving, containers, scented pomanders and linen ideas, and other projects that are readily researched and reproduced, some of which I discuss further in my Herbal and Apothecary Newsletters, found here.
Model Making/Miniatures
The one aspect of A&S that I feel kids would love is making models—these could be either miniature buildings or small models of devices that once existed. I got this idea from a book I picked up called “The Encyclopedia of Ancient History”, which has a number of projects throughout on different cultures. One of them is a cardboard replica of a Chinese wheelbarrow invented about 100 AD. It is fascinating, easily replicated in miniature, and such projects open up a whole world of ideas for A&S competition.
I’ve seen reproductions in miniature of the Parthenon, Pyramids, Japanese structures and gardens, and so on. In addition, recreating such interesting devices as boats and ships, Archimedes screws and bronze cannons, water or candle clocks, or siege towers and merchant wagons is about as awesome as any miniature catapult or trebuchet. There has been some great miniature work on creating single rooms, such as the parlor or dining room of a Victorian house, and it makes sense that a kid can attempt to recreate a scene from any number of illuminated sources. For example, I took the idea of the apothecary from a source:
And reproduced it here:
Art and Illumination
Paintings are everywhere and there are numerous in-period styles that can be
examined and replicated, and all caretakers need is a visit to a local craft store or big-box store for a pack of gouache paints, some brushes, and a couple of stretched canvases or pieces of nice paper. Should the child become more involved, then more involved supplies can be obtained through the internet.
When it comes to a project, the sky’s the limit: a young person can do calligraphy & illumination for scrolls, a modern song or an illuminated letter, or perhaps their name in calligraphy. I picked up a number of in-period pieces to copy by googling “medieval illumination” and the subject in which I was interested, so “winter”, “queen”, “the letter P”, for example.
Weapons
Kids can start fighting in heavy weapons and rapier combat when they turn six. They can certainly start working on their own kits, decorating them any way they want, and it is absolutely an arts and science worthy of competition. Examples include painting their own shields, designing their own armor, or creating a period fencing buckler.
In addition, archery and thrown weapons can be started as soon as they show safety on the range—my five-year-old was allowed to try her hand throwing an axe, although she wasn’t really safe enough to continue. She’ll learn. At any rate, hand-fletching arrows, making a quiver or even an axe sheath would be a great project.
Music/Bardic
I highly encourage folks to let kids be noisy, either playing music on instruments or singing at the tops of their lungs. Same goes for the SCA. We should be encouraging music and dance every chance we get for kids because they’re the ones that most freely enjoy it. Back in medieval times, people danced and sang because it was an expression of freedom; today’s peeps (yes, not all, but a large portion) have so many venues of entertainment that we’ve put our own dancing and singing on pause. Through the kids we can get a little of that excitement back.
Reading music is a little more difficult for little ones, but Youtube is your friend for listening and copying singers until they have all the words down to any number of in-period songs. Sure, that seems vague, but I’ve watched my five-year-old pick up an entire folk song, in a completely different language, that she liked simply by watching it on repeat. Kids are ridiculous.
This goes for cheap instruments. I’ve gotten my daughter two doumbeks, two recorders, one tin whistle, a ukulele, and we borrowed/stole an electronic keyboard from my brother. Most pieces I found for cheap/free. There’s a guitar waiting for her when she gets a little bigger.
Competitions should overlook modern instruments, especially for children, as long as they are a modern version of an old one. Given the use for “filk” as an SCA experience, it’s easy enough to create music for kids to play and sing based off of modern songs in tablature. Nursery rhymes that are considered in-period include “To Market, To Market” and “Ding Dong Bell.”
The Competition
Æthelmearc has a pretty good Rubric for judging all participants on an equal scale, but some conversations with Midrealm’s Vigilant SæhildR barngóðR (aka Baroness Silly), Kingdom A&S Minister and creator of the It Takes My Child to Raze a Village event, show that there are many ways of creating competitions for children.
“The current Age Divisions for competition are: Duckling (6 years and Under), I (7-9 years), II (10-12 years), III (13-17 years), and Adult (18+). Participants of all ages fill out a form to share about their entry and learn some basics of SCA A&S documentation.
The first time we held the A&S Competition, a five-year-old stole the show with his “Tun-ip Soup” and the populace only got three beans for voting. Now we have a chart that rewards people who have been recognized in the Arts and Sciences with more beans (trusting their expertise!).”
Certainly, children should be encouraged to enter A&S more often, which leads to:
The Order of the Silver Sycamore
I have seen ONE of these awards given out. We should be giving these out like candy. Children should be given awards, because once they hit a certain age, they’re done. So, there’s no reason to hold these in reserve. Give ‘em to all the kids!
Feast is FULL!! Please contact me if you want to be put on the waitlist!
There will be a fire both Friday and Sat night that everyone is welcome to join.
The camp installed new soffits in the bathhouse so no more birds nest in the bathrooms and they installed on-demand hot water!! Hot showers for everyone!!
We are following Æthelmearc’s current COVID policy – found here. You must stop at COVID check in FIRST!!! you can not unload first. If you are coming on Friday evening after 10 pm you MUST notify us beforehand!
It’s time to prepare for War – plus have a handfasting! Please join the Dominion of Myrkfaelinn for our annual War practice June 3rd-5th and help celebrate Gytha Oggsdottir and Sanada Nobukatsu’s handfasting. There will be heavy fighting, fencing, thrown weapons, children’s activities and a Feast!
The site is the beautiful Camp Barton Boy Scout Camp right on the shore of Cayuga Lake 9640 S Frontenac Rd., Trumansburg NY 14886. Site opens at Friday at 5pm and closes Sunday morning at 11am. Sideboard will be prepared by THL Cristina inghean Ghriogair. Please contact her at donnamac123@hotmail.com, 607 591-0999 with any questions or dietary restrictions.
There will be an amazing feast prepared by THL Lasairfhiona inghean Aindriasa. Please contact her via Facebook Messenger (Vicki Presler) or email at ravenheart.vp@gmail.com with any question or dietary restrictions. Not only will it be tasty but is free – donations are accepted. Feast is capped at 48.
Lady Meadbh ni Clerigh is preparing a whole range of children’s activities for our youth, so please bring them with you and keep her busy!
The Co -Autocrats are Gytha Oggsdottir (Lori Drake 101 Uptown Rd. #33, Ithaca NY 14850 607-351-8433 gythaoggs@gmail.com) and Cristina inghean Ghriogair, (Donna Ankrum donnamac123@hotmail.com 607 591-0999, 107 Oak Hill Rd., Ithaca NY 14850)
Adult Event Registration is $20
Adult Member Discount Event Registration is $15
Child age 0-17 are free!!!
Feast FREE – donations are accepted. Feast is capped at 48.
Event registration includes Saturday sideboard lunch and Saturday night camping. Camping Friday night is an additional $4 per adult.
Pre-registration is always appreciated, please send reservations to Master Hrólfr á Fjárfelli (Rolf Verberg), (607) 272-2996, at 680 Sheffield Road, Ithaca NY 14850. Make checks payable to SCA NY, Inc. – Dominion of Myrkfaelinn. Please include modern name, SCAdian name and membership number for each person covered by your payment. Also, indicate if any are minors. Include contact info for confirmation of receipt and to receive last minute notifications..
Æthelmearc is in need of a new Chancellor of Youth. Mistress Cordelia has had the position for many years, and we thank her for her kindness and hard work.
Æthelmearc Teens and Tweens ages 12-17 are invited to the second Æ Teen Tween Zoom Chat this Friday, June 26th at 7 P.M. By popular request, it will be costumes night, though costumes are not required.
Parents, if your child is interested in joining in the chat please contact Mistress Cordelia in advance at Aechancellorminor1@gmail.com for the login credentials.
Æthelmearc Teens and Tweens, you are cordially invited to participate in your own Æ Teen Tween Zoom Chat this Friday June 12th at 7 P.M. There will be activities planned. Chat will be moderated by Mistress Cordelia, the Kingdom Youth Minister, aka Colleen Charleton Martino, and Duchess Ilish O’Donovan. Parents, if your child is interested in joining in the chat please contact Mistress Cordelia in advance at Aechancellorminor1@gmail.com .
Greetings from the Pennsic 49 Family Activities Coordinator!
Photo by Baroness Clarice Roan
I know that it feels like Pennsic just happened, but next years’ staff is already hard at work preparing for Pennsic 49. Family Activities cannot run without the help of many hands, and we are looking for volunteers for several of our coordinator positions, as well as folks who think they might like to shadow those jobs to possibly do it in a few years. We’d love to prevent burnout by having many folks trained on jobs. Please fill out the linked form or email me at fpoint@pennsicwar.org if you are interested in any or more than one of these jobs. For jobs requiring an SCA background check, there is plenty of time to get one, and I’ll be happy to walk you through the process.
Thanks!
Mistress Leonete D’Angely, Family Point Coordinator
Unto the Kingdom of Æthelmearc does Duchess Ilish O’Donovan send fond greetings
Their Majesties, Gareth and Juliana, have given me the honor to create a fun-filled event for youth of our fair kingdom and their families. It is Their Majesties’ wish to have an evening of merriment and games, face painting, crafts, prizes, treats, and snacks for all who attend.
The party will be held on Monday, August 5th from 5:30 to 7:30 in Æthelmearc Royal. Please feel free to come by and play a game, paint rocks to hide at Pennsic, enjoy some snacks, and share in the fun.
To ensure all who attend find much joy, I am reaching out to the kingdom for support to make the Æthelmearc Youth and Family Party a fabulous time for all.
So, what could your barony, shire, canton, household or as an individual do to help? There is a great need for volunteers to run games, crafts and face painters. There is also a need for prizes for grab bags and pre-packaged snacks.
Donations toward the party help support and defray the costs and help create an evening of fun!
Ideas for donations:
Prizes for games: foam swords, necklaces, glow sticks, items you may find at a carnival. Such items can often be found at Dollar Tree, Dollar General and Oriental Trading Company.
Food ideas: Pre-packaged, gummies, fish crackers, cookies, candies etc…
Volunteers are needed to help run games, crafts, and entertainment for youth and their families.
These are just a few quick ideas. There are so many ways to help make the Æthelmearc Youth and Family Party Youth and Family Party a success. If you have any questions or are willing to make a donation or offer help, please feel free to contact me. Donations can also be dropped off at hospitality in AE Royal.
Greetings from the Family Activities Staff of the Pennsic War!
The deadline to submit classes for Pennsic that will appear in the site book is mere days away, on May 1st!
The Family Activities department runs three separate tracks of classes and activities, and all three are still looking for teachers. Teachers do not have to have been background checked or have any specific youth qualifications. They just need enthusiasm for their subject and a willingness to teach. Having a second adult for the class is helpful, but not required.
Family Point, focused on those aged under 10, is looking for teachers of hands-on crafts, mostly for Peace Week slots. If you are not sure what to teach, we have pre-packaged activities ready to go, such as Viking bead lacing and rune carving, which just need teachers.
Youth University, aimed at those aged nine to 14 (and located at the playground), is looking for SCA history, persona-specific, and hands-on classes targeted to tweens. We have openings during both Peace and War Week.
Teen University, aimed at those 13 to 17 (and located in the regular university area), is also looking for classes on SCA history, actual history, heraldry, sewing, other hands-on classes, and practically everything in which adults are also interested. Many teens also take classes at the regular university, however we provide a lower-stress entry point for those who need it. We have openings both weeks.
If you are interested in teaching, you can either enter the class in the Pennsic University System in the parent/child category with a note in the additional scheduling for either TeenU, YouthU, or Family Point, or you can email me.
Please help us provide a full slate of classes for each group in order to help our next generation fully integrate and remain interested in our society.
Many thanks,
Mistress Leonete D’Angely, Pennsic Family Activities Coordinator and former teenaged Pennsic attendee
