The Society of Creative Anachronism (SCA) is a family oriented, non-profit educational organization and welcomes families bringing children under the age of 13 to Estrella War (also see Teen Activities). The SCA also gives the highest priority to providing a safe and fun place for parents to learn, play and enjoy the Estrella War with their young children. This includes following stringent guidelines for how youth activities can be organized and run at Estrella War, and an emphasis on including parents/guardians in all youth activities sponsored at the event.
Before bringing young children to Estrella War, we recommend that you review all of the following information:
- ATTENDING WITH MINORS: This explains the paperwork you must complete and bring to the Estrella War for each minor child who attends with you, as well as the curfew and guidelines that parents/temporary guardians and children much follow while at the event.
- KINGDOM YOUTH ACTIVITIES GUIDELINES FOR LOCAL SCA GROUPS: PARENTS: This explains the Kingdom of Atenveldt (the local SCA chapter hosting the Estrella War) rules used to govern the running of youth activities at events in Arizona, including a description of the responsibilities of parents and temporary guardians, and the “Two Deep Leadership” model that the SCA follows when running youth activities at Estrella War.
- KINGDOM OF ATENVELDT POLICY FOR ADDRESSING TRANSGRESSIONS BY MINORS AT SCA EVENTS: This outlines the procedures the SCA follows, and the consequences that the SCA imposes on a parent/guardian and a minor child, if a minor misbehaves while attending Estrella War.
- MINOR CURFEWS AND PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Local curfews require that minors 15 and under must be in their own camp or escorted by an adult from 10 PM to 5 AM, and minors 16 to 18 years old must be in their own camp or escorted by an adult from Midnight to 5 AM. Parents and temporary guardians will be held responsible for the minor’s behavior at Estrella War, and should know that everyone under 12 must wear their youth token at all times. If a minor child is found un-accompanied and endangered, a report will be filed with the war staff, and local law enforcement agencies will be notified when it is deemed necessary. Any child found unattended in a closed vehicle or tent during the day will be ‘rescued’. Even in the middle of an Arizona winter, the interior of a vehicle can quickly reach lethal temperatures.
WHAT IS THERE FOR CHILDREN TO DO AT ESTRELLA WAR?
Welcome to the Youth Complex and Teen Center for Estrella War XXVIII (March 2012)!
We are happy to provide a safe and fun place where the future generations of our many splendid Kingdoms can come to learn, play and enjoy themselves for the duration of the war, and maybe even share commonalties with their parents and siblings too. Stop by and see what we’re up to this year!
Location:
We have moved! See the Site Maps...
Hours of Operation:
Children / Youth Complex
Wednesday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm;
Sunday 10:00 am – 12:00pm;
(Closed for lunch daily 12 pm – 1 pm).
Toddler Play Area (0–4 years):
We will have a place for parents to bring their little ones (ages 0-4) with a rug area and play-yard, as well as chairs for parents to sit and visit other parents. This is a parent lead and supervised area. There will be few toys provided, so if you wish to bring a toy for your child, you are welcome to do so (Please note: The Children / Youth Complex coordinators and volunteers will not be responsible for broken or lost toys). We do hope that this area will give parents a comfortable place to come to visit, let their little ones play and socialize with other parents.
Youth Program (5-17 years):
In an effort to provide an enriched learning environment, age-appropriate Arts and Sciences classes are offered Wednesday through Sunday in the Youth Complex. Courses are blocked in 1–2 hour increments beginning at 10:00 am, breaking for lunch from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm, and resuming at 1:00 pm. The last project may begin at 3:00 pm. Please look for posting of these classes at the Youth Complex and in the A&S class schedule. Parents are encouraged to attend classes & projects with their children.
Open activities are also offered during Youth Center hours. These include simple arts and crafts projects, a puppet theater for impromptu performances, and board games. Available projects will be rotated daily or as materials limits require.
Some classes and activities may involve leaving the Youth Center for a mini-field trip (such as to the equestrian area or bread baking ovens). Parents are asked to come along with their children on such outings. During those times, and during the lunch hour, no attendant will be on hand at the Youth Center. A reminder sign will be posted stating where we may be found and when we will re-open. Please make sure your child knows how to get back to camp, or opt to stay with them so that no child is lost. Be aware that SCA volunteers may not force a child to stay in an activity, so it is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian to keep children from becoming lost.
Inter-Kingdom Youth Minister Luncheon:
Youth Ministers from the Known World are welcome to join us for a light lunch in the Children/Youth Center on the Friday of Estrella War between 12 noon and 1:30 p.m. Refreshments and finger foods will be provided. We want the opportunity to meet and mingle with those who dedicate their time to the youth of the SCA, share information and make new friends.
Youth Challenge Program:
The Youth Challenge Program is designed to give young people the opportunity to participate in a friendly competition. Youth Challenge Points will be awarded to young people who register and report their progress and activities. Youth Challenge points will be awarded in the areas of:
- Arts and Sciences
- Youth Combat Tournament
- Volunteer Hours
- Youth Archery
- Other participatory activities like Bardic Competitions, Hound Coursing, etc.
Please review the information regarding the Youth Challenge Program. Sign up sheets will be available in several locations where awardable activities take place. Each day of the War, participants are asked to meet with the Program Coordinator in the Children/Youth Center to record the points and volunteer hours you have accumulated for that day. The young person who has acquired the most total Youth Challenge Points by the end of the competition will be declared the winner of the Estrella War XXVIII Youth Challenge Program and will receive a scroll.
Youth Volunteer Pizza Party:
All youth having volunteered 2 or more hours in any area of the war are invited to a pizza party in their honor. We know how valuable your volunteer efforts are to the war and in appreciation of your hard work we invite you to attend Saturday evening at 5:00 pm at the Youth Complex.
Youth volunteers should go to Volunteer Point to find out where to volunteer. The Youth Center is only one of many places that need volunteers. Be sure and record your volunteer hours in the Youth Challenge book. Pages for recording youth volunteer hours will be available at the A&S pavilion, Volunteer Point, the Archery range, and the Youth Combat table, as well as at the Youth Center and Teen Center.
Arts and Sciences Classes:
A&S classes appropriate for teens and/or youth are also offered in the A&S Pavilion. Check the class description for age restrictions, or speak with the instructor if age restrictions are not specified in the class description.
An A&S track of classes targeted for youth is also offered in the Youth Center. Parents of young children are encouraged to attend classes with their children, or attend while their children play or work on open activities on the other side of the Center.
Youth Games Tournament:
There will be a games tournament held at the Youth Center. The winner will be awarded a prize, and all participants will receive a Youth Challenge point.
CALLING ALL MUSICIANS, STORYTELLERS, SINGERS, PERFORMERS!
The Children’s Center is always actively looking for bards willing to entertain the children at the center. Feel free to sign up formally or just stop by and give a few minutes of your time to entertain the little ones (and us not so little ones). Performances must be appropriate for all ages (0–17) and no scary stories please. If inappropriate material is presented, the bardic performance will be stopped. If you are unsure if some of your material is appropriate, please ask a coordinator or choose a different piece.
Music Teachers Wanted! We are looking for volunteers to teach a music class at the Youth Center (drumming, teaching songs, or the recorder if we have enough to outfit a class).
NOTE TO PARENTS
Parents or legal guardians are responsible for their children at all times. There will be no adult supervision at the Children / Youth Complex before 10:00 am, between 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm, or after 4:00 pm daily. Children & Young people may come and go from the complex at their leisure. We ask that parents stay with their children under the age of 5 years and do not leave them unattended at the Children / Youth Complex. If a child is not safe to navigate the war grounds by themselves, we recommend someone of appropriate age (12 or older) stay with the child while in the Children / Youth Complex (Youth Center Staff & Volunteers cannot restrain children from leaving the area). A child younger than 13 years old is not viewed as an age appropriate guardian for a younger child left at the complex.
Appropriate behaviors and adherence to the Kingdom policies are expected. Weapons, live steel, and/or illegal items are not permitted at the complex. Youth combat weapons are welcome at the complex, however may only be used during youth combat activities under adult youth marshals supervision. We strongly recommend that items of significant value be left at camp as we will not be responsible for lost or broken personal items. In the event that a minor sustains an injury, a parent or legal guardian must be present to authorize treatment, so it is recommended that parents or legal guardians stay within sight and sound of their children.
Reminder: There are canals on site. These can be dangerous areas. Do not allow children to play in or around these. (This goes for grownups, too.)
Parents and guardians should be aware of the curfew for minors at the event, and are asked to review the Kingdom of Atenveldt Policy for Addressing Transgressions by Minors at SCA Events as well as Kingdom of Atenveldt Youth Activities Guidelines (copies of these will be available for review at the Children / Youth Complex).
If you have further questions, or are interested in volunteering to help at the Children/Youth Complex or teach classes geared to SCA youth, please contact the Youth Center Coordinator or Atenveldt Kingdom Youth Minister for more information. Questions about youth combat at Estrella War should be directed to the Estrella War Youth Combat Coordinator.
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