Turning the Corner on Practice

Last night's practice at the Dells had nineteen people at it. Nineteen! Twelve of them were students or somehow associated with the University. Five students armored up and I couldn't track the number of students fighting rapier.

That's extraordinary. We've come a long way since Philip and I started wandering from spot to spot around Grounds, trying to figure out where to practice and how to interest students.

I feel really good about the mix of skills and interests among our students too. Everyone seems enthused but not so into it that they'll end up flunking out. (I've seen that happen before.) Even more important than the number of people putting out effort to get in gear, I see that all these first and second year students are coming together as a social circle and mutual support, which is a positive feedback loop that helps everyone keep going because of the mutual support.

Next year has strong potential to be even better. Finally, finally, we'll have at least two students able to armor up and fight at the Student Activities Fair in the fall. That's been a goal of mine for three years now. Just having Timm in armor standing at the booth made a big difference this past year, so actually being able to get guys armored up and fighting up on the amphitheater stage will be a huge PR boost. Also, instead of having a core group of one grad student and one second year, we'll have a core group of seven or eight second years and a third year. That turns the Students for Creative Anachronism from a tiny idea of a group that requires outside life support into a healthy on-campus organization able to steer its own course.

Kendra deserves a huge measure of thanks for this. Her gentle leadership encouraged the growth of the social activities that help bind these people together.

More pictures of last night's practice are available here.

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