The SCA is an avenue to pursue skills and information about the past, and also to learn to apply them now. Values from the past are cheek by jowl next to modern ideals. While we reward acheivement, we believe everyone is truly inwardly noble. In the past that type of egalitarianism would have brought the person a great deal of grief.
A really interesting well done book about the Society for Creative anachronism has been published called The Knights Next Door: Everyday People Living MIddle Ages Dreams by Patrick O'Donnell [isbn:0-595-32530-0 pbk, or 0-595-666677-7 cloth]. I got my copy through Amazon.ca.
Here are some links I have chosen that are either to others in the SCA's websites where they discuss what the Society means to them, Like Sir Martin the Harper and his Lady Mistress Ariel de Courtenay, or others sites which feature people in the SCA being involved in local community life, like the press coverage shown on this page.
Ones I know:
Imaigne de Brysele. Talk about retinue experience. And arts projects just seem to flow from her fingers. And lists. And brewing. And carpentry. And tent construction. Oh yeah, did I mention garb? And embellishment? She has incredible experience turning silk purses out of sows ears. To come. Once I convince her...
Catharine Townsend's projects website. My sewing buddy from Seagirt. She has angel fingers, and no sense of a project too big or too detailed to do. She has an ongoing project for her 'best quality' or uber-garb that is planned to take two years.
Mistress Issabbella Kendal of Ravensrift. Was kingdom A&S champion. Is a costumer extraordinaire. To come.
Ones I don't know in real life:
Mistress Agnes of Cresswyke. Shows her projects and interests.
Marquessa Laurellin's Renaissance Tailor website.