About Park Maintenance

Arthon

DasArcaneStars asked on about why stick skills were more important to the park than his desire to have fun in 'new and creative ways' to the point his park mates didn't want him to come back to the park. Arthon replied

"DasArcaneStars,

The sad fact is that pure stick jockery kills parks. For a park to thrive it takes all kinds - roleplayers, stick jocks (in moderation), garbers, blanket bunnies, ...etc.

That being said, I cannot imagine that if you go out and play battlegames with the "I'm here to have fun attitude" that anyone would try to get rid of you. There may be some ribbing, sure, but if you feel that people are trying to drive you away, you need to ask yourself if it is because of your lack of skill or because of your attitude.

This is a social game, no matter from what direction you approach it. I doubt that if you approached the good fighters at your park and asked them to teach you some skills that they would drive you away. Same holds true of the folks who are good at arts and crafts. People almost always want to help other people fit in and have more fun. Seek these people out and integrate yourselves into 'their' game. You and they will all gain a new perspective about each other which often leads to more understanding and tolerance.

If you are being persecuted, your local leadership should be very interested in putting a stop to it for the good of the entire park. If the local leadership is not concerned about losing a member (or members), well, you need to figure out if it's because you've pissed everyone off or because the whole park is full of nothing but jackasses. Odds are low that the latter is true.

I know E-Sam is a good place to vent about injustices (perceived or real). In Amtgard, there will always be dicks (Lord knows I've filled those shoes before) But if you enjoy Amtgard, the onus is on you to figure out where the problem lies (be it yourself or some outside influence) and take action to try to correct it.

Arthon

P.S. In answer to your original question - I am almost exclusively a 'stick jock' and yes, I enjoy Amtgard very much. I also recognize that my particular path is not everyone's cup of tea.

P.P.S. If, as stated in your original post, you still enjoy Amtgard immensely, why are you posting this rant? It would seem needless."

Brennon

That IS how you fix it.

Amtgard at a local level lives and dies by people putting effort into running a fun, friendly local park.

Amtgard at a kingdom level works if the all the parks are willing to work together towards common goals and supporting one another.

Amtgard at a national level prospers if all the kingdoms are willing to work together towards a stronger, more unified, more structured and professional organization.

Pick a park. Improve it. If enough people do that, Amtgard as a whole improves.