Some of the best known aspects of the SCA involve armoured combat.

In the SCA, participants have the opportunity to learn about and engage in many styles of marshaled activity. These include armoured or heavy combat, rapier combat (fencing), archery, thrown weapons, and even equestrian activities.

As with many forms of marshal art, our fighters are not trying to hurt one another. They test their skills through training, practice, and melee. Fighters must be respectful of their opponents, and must participate in a safe manner. The SCA has strict rules on the use and requirements of armour and weapons in order to keep our participants safe.  These requirements are different for each type of activity. For this reason, it is best for you to speak with a marshal to decide what safety equipment or armour your desired activity will require. The best way to do this is to come to one of our practices, and speak with the marshal.

Do I Need My Own Equipment or Armour?

Loaner materials are available for fighters and fencers. These items can be brought to practice in order to allow potential fighters/fencers to try the sport. If you would like to try your hand at fighting/fencing, please stop by a practice or the weekly meeting and let us know.

Where is Fight Practice Held?

Currently, we hold our heavy fighter practices on sunday afternoons. Practice starts at 1pm, and is located on the Penn State University Park campus on the athletic fields above the Information Sciences & Technology (IST) building on the Penn State University Park campus. Parking is available in the west campus parking lot off of North Atherton Street and is open to the public on most sundays.

(The IST building can be located on this map in block G2. Parking is available in the lot at the intersection of N. Atherton St. and Course Dr.)

Where is Fencing Practice Held?

Fencing is held thursday evenings begining at 5pm on the athletic fields above the Information Sciences & Technology (IST) building on the Penn State University Park campus. Parking is available in the west campus parking lot off of North Atherton Street and is open to the public after 5pm. (Fencing is also sometimes coordinated with sunday fight practice.)

Fencers, please note that fencing practice is often held as weather and schedules permit. Please visit the Nithgaard Yahoo! group for the latest details on current practice schedules.

(The IST building can be located on this map in block G2. Parking is available in the lot at the intersection of N. Atherton St. and Course Dr.)

Does Fighting or Fencing Practice Happen Durring the Winter?

Cold weather practices are traditionally moved indoors to the Drill Hall of the Wagner building, also located on the PSU campus. For those familiar with campus, you may know this building as the home of the ROTC. Parking is available behind the building, and is open to the public on sundays. More details will be posted for this as the weather requires.