Everyone should volunteer at Pennsic. With ten thousand or more people on site, the most dedicated staff in the world cannot do all of the work without help. However, if every one of those ten thousand people would give just one hour each, there would not be enough work to go around and they would have to turn volunteers away! Volunteering as a new Pennsic attendee also is a fantastic way to learn about how the event is organized, meet new people, and gain new skills.

Those who are medically qualified are always needed at Chirurgeons' Point. This huge tent is nominally a "first aid station" but is in a tent the size of an army MASH unit. The people who work there are professional in their attitude yet still have a sense of humor and like to socialize when there's a lull in the workload. There is a genuine feeling of teamwork and comradery among Chirurgeons at Pennsic, and if you are new to first-aid, the variety of injuries and illnesses you will see in just one shift is amazing. Non medical people are also needed to help as Scribes to keep patient records, so you do not have to be a Chirurgeon to help. By the way, first aid and CPR classes are usually taught at Pennsic (there is a small fee to cover course text and materials), so you can actually become a Chirurgeon by the end of War if you start early enough and are willing to devote the time.

Keeping watch over the entire camp is the job of Security Point and the patrols they send out. Security officers are not police and do not have mundane law enforcement authority, so you do not have to be specially qualified to help here. The Pennsic Security force is responsible for patrolling the camp to spot unattended fires, illegally parked dragons (cars), dangerous or destructive behavior, or other undesirable situations. At times, the Security patrols are called upon to relay emergency messages to or from campsites, or to summon Chirurgeons to medical emergencies in remote areas of the camp. Calm, confident mannerisms, courtesy, and clarity of thought under stress are the personality traits that make good Security volunteers.

If you want to meet people and learn a great deal about what is going on, volunteer at Information Point. This special tent is an information booth, purely and simply. They have a complete list of classes and activity schedules, locations of key encampments, and other often-requested information, and are in radio contact with Security and Chirurgeons for emergencies. You do not have to already know everything to work here--the information is mostly written down and you learn things yourself while looking it up for others. Also, they put an experienced person with a new person at Autocrat's Point, so you will have help if you're new. Heralds' Point coordinates the crying of the camp with announcements every few hours. They also operate a consultation tent for those needing help preparing names or heraldic devices for submission. If you are interested in heraldry, or just have a strong, clear voice and don't mind walking, Heralds' Point can use your help.

Pennsic has traditionally had a newspaper during War Week. The name has changed, but the goal has remained the same: to provide news and information for attendees. Volunteers are always welcome for typing chores, and any urchins who would like to earn a little spending money selling papers are urged to apply.

Finally, there are many informal ways to volunteer around camp. Storm blew down everyone's tent but yours? Help people set up again. See someone having trouble with a heavy cartload of ice? Offer to help, if you are going their direction. Give directions to someone who's lost. Lend someone your hammer if they need one and forgot to bring it. Find out what your kingdom's scheduled activities are, then volunteer to help out. Do something nice for the other people in your encampment. In the SCA, we pride ourselves on chivalry and courtesy. What a great opportunity exists at Pennsic to truly Live the Dream!