A quiet space at your event

What is a quiet space?

A comfortable area separated from event activites, where people can rest and recover. It is specifically designated as a space where people should NOT make noise or conversation.

Why have a quiet space?

SCA events are typically full of lots of people and lots of activities, many of which can be loud and/or crowded. Having somewhere quiet and calm can help people recover from the more intense parts of the event so that they can keep enjoying their day.

Who is a quiet space for?

Anyone! Lots of people have reasons to value a quiet space, including:

A parent whose kids need a nap
A person with a headache from standing in the sun
Someone with PTSD or anxiety who feels safer away from crowds
A too-busy volunteer who needs some time to themselves
A person with fatigue who needs to rest for a while
Someone with a sensory disability who wants to relax in the quiet
A newcomer who’d like some time away from talking to new people
Someone who had a bit too much mead at last night’s bardic circle

If you make a quiet space easy for people to find and get to, then anyone who needs to or wants to can take advantage of it.

What should the space be like?

Your quiet space should be somewhere that is pleasant to relax in. Try to include:

Shelter from sun, wind, rain, and extreme temperatures
Chairs to sit on, and a ground-covering if using a tent without its own floor
Enough separation from the main activity area that it actually is quiet
Dim lighting
Clear signage about the purpose of the space (see right).

Try to make sure people don’t need to navigate stairs, steep hills, or rough ground to get to your quiet space. Lots of people who might want to use it will be tired, or have mobility issues, or simply be bringing children with little legs.

A sign with the following text: Welcome To Our Quiet Space. This area is for anyone who wants some peace and quiet. To respect other people using the space, please keep all noise to a minimum. Use headphones with any devices that make noise, and take conversations elsewhere if you can. If someone else wants to use the space, please make room!

What should you tell people?

If people don’t know a quiet space exists, they won’t use it. Make sure you tell people about your quiet space at the beginning of the event, on the schedule, and/or on the event map. Your announcement could say something like:

“We have a quiet space in the red-roofed pavilion near the Gate. Anyone is welcome to use this space during the event to get some peace and quiet for a little while.”