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 12 and under must be in their own camp or escorted by an adult from 10 PM to 5 AM, and minors 13 to 17 years old must be in their own camp or escorted by an adult from 11 PM 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 XXVI (February 2010)!
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:
North of the Main Battlefield.
Hours of Operation:
Children / Youth Complex
Wednesday 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Thursday - Saturday, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Sunday 10am – 12:00pm
(Closed for lunch daily 12 pm – 1 pm).
Teen Center- Thursday through Saturday 7:00 pm – 10:30 pm daily.
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 for the Youth, age-appropriate projects have been added to the daily schedule. These projects will be held in the Youth Complex Wednesday through Sunday. 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 pm Please look for our schedule at the Youth Complex. Parents are encouraged to attend classes & projects with their children. In this manner, the children will receive one to one attention and parents will have the opportunity for some positive interaction with their children. No attendant will be on hand before or after the posted project times or during lunch. Please make sure your child knows how to get back to camp or opt to stay with them so that no child is lost. 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.
Teen Center – (Teens only):
The Teen Center is located in the Youth Center Complex. We wish to offer a safe place for teens to gather Thurday through Saturday evenings from 7:00 pm – 10:30 pm Teens need to be advised of the curfew law for the city in which the war is held.
*Curfew as per the City of Florence, Arizona:a. Minors 12 and under must be in their own camp or escorted by an adult from 10 PM – 5 AM. b. Minors 13 to 17 years old must be in their own camp or escorted by an adult from 11 PM – 5 AM.
We ask that teens under the age of 18 leave the Teen Center by 10:30 pm to allow time for traveling to their campsite. The teen center operates on an honor system: all civil laws apply. No adult beverages or illegal substances are permitted. We ask that you provide games of your choice, soft drink beverages and snacks to share. Special Teen Center events TBA.
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 Games Tournament
Please review the information regarding the Youth Challenge Program. Each day of the War, 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 will be declared the winner of the Estrella War XXIII Youth challenge Program and will receive a scroll and an award.
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 pm at the Youth Complex. For each hour of volunteer time recorded by 3 pm Saturday, you will receive a ticket stub. The tickets go into a special raffle that will be conducted during the pizza party. All youth are encouraged to participate in the volunteer effort at Estrella. If you do not know where to volunteer please come by the Youth Complex and we will help you. Please make sure you get your volunteer hours recorded with Lady Ilora von Neunhoff in the Children /Youth and Teen Complexes.
Arts and Sciences Classes:
A&S classes will be offered in the A&S Pavillion. Check the A&S class descriptions for age appropriate classes.
CALLING ALL MUSICIANS, STORYTELLERS, SINGERS, PERFORMERS!
We understand that there are a plethora of opportunities to show your wonderful talents. All we are asking is that in your scheduling of Bardic activities for the week of War, that you don’t forget the Children. Feel free to sign up formally or just stop by and give a few minutes of your time to entertaining the little ones (and us not so little ones). (*Please note: all performances must be appropriate for all ages (0-17) and no scary stories please. If inappropriate material is presented, we may be forced to ask you to stop, which would sadden us greatly and disappoint the children more so. If you are unsure if some of your material is appropriate, you may wish to ask a coordinator or choose a different piece.*)
NOTE TO PARENTS:Parents or legal guardians are responsible for their children at all times. Please note and understand that there will be no adult supervision at the Children / Youth Complex before 10 am, between 12 pm and 1 pm, or after 4 pm daily. Children & Young people may come and go from the complex at their leisure, therefore if a child is not safe to navigate the war grounds by themselves, we recommend someone of appropriate age (13 or older) stay with child while in the Children / Youth Complex (Youth Center Staff & Volunteers can not restrain children from leaving the area). 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 burms and canals on site. These can be dangerous areas. Do not allow children to play in or around these. (This goes for grown ups too.)
*Curfew* as per the City of Florence, Arizona:a. Minors 12 and under must be in their own camp or escorted by an adult from 10 PM – 5 AM. b. Minors 13 to 17 years old must be in their own camp or escorted by an adult from 11 PM – 5 AM.
Please take time to review theKingdom of Atenveldt Policy for Addressing Transgressions by Minors at SCA Eventsas well asKingdom of Atenveldt Youth Activities Guidelines(a copy of each can be found at the Children / Youth Complex.)
Estrella War XXIII Children/Youth Activities Staff:
Children/Youth Activities Coordinator – Lady Ilora von Neunhoff
Emergency Deputy Children/Youth Activities Coordinator – Lady Misha Mac Bain
Toddler/Parent Area Coordinator – Lady Hrefna
Teen Center Coordinator – Lady Misha Mac bain
Youth Volunteer Pizza Party Coordinator – Lady Ilora von Neunhoff
NOTE TO PARENTS: The Children's/Youth complex is NOT a Day Care or a babysitting service. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for their children at all times. Parents and guardians are expected to know that there will be no adult supervision at the Children / Youth Complex before [hours TBD], between [hours TBD], after [hours TBD] daily and that the center will only be manned by volunteers during these posted hours. Young people will be allowed to come and go from the complex at their leisure, and to meet with friends or participate in activities of their own choosing. Therefore if a child is not safe to navigate the war grounds by themselves, we recommend someone of appropriate age stay with the child while in the Children / Youth Complex.
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. A child younger than 13 years old is not viewed as an age appropriate guardian of younger children 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.
SAFETY NOTICE
There are berms and water canals on site. These are dangerous areas. Do not allow children to play in or around these. (This goes for grown ups too.)
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, to give parents a comfortable place to come to visit, let their little ones play, and socialize with other parents This is a parent-lead and supervised area. We encourage you to bring a toy for your child as there will only be few toys provided. (The Youth Complex, Coordinators and Volunteers will not be responsible for broken or lost toys).
Children’s Program (5-9 years):
We strive to provide an enriched learning environment for the children with some age-appropriate classes in our daily schedule. These classes will be held in the Children / Youth Complex.
Parents are encouraged to attend classes with their children so that each child gets individual attention.
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.
OTHER LINKS OF INTEREST: