SAVGR’s Open Door Policy

Be Respectful, Speak Friend, and Enter

SAVGR has always been a welcoming community. We value friendship, learning, and personal growth. While we strive to maintain an open door policy, we must ensure that no one who may harm others enters. Let us be clear on a few points.

Zero Tolerance for Discrimination

SAVGR does not discriminate based on race, religion, disability, age, sexual identity or preference. We will not tolerate any form of discrimination, whether in person, online or in any setting where we are present or associated.

Like historical Vikings, we accept anyone into our society who wishes to embrace our lifestyle. Vikings judge their peers by how closely they lived their shared values, not by gender or sexual preference. Those who promoted hate against productive members of society were considered weak by other Vikings.

While Vikings did practice slavery, SAVGR does not ignore this issue. We strive to be accurate historians and educators. We do not condone the practice of slavery. People captured during battle or defeated in conflict, or criminals were sometimes taken as thralls. Our thrall characters educate patrons that we don’t know much about the details of their servitude.

SAVGR’s Policy on Religion

SAVGR has never been, nor will it ever be, a religious group. We respect all religions practiced by our members and others. To be a member of SAVGR, you MUST respect everyone’s religious views, regardless of personal opinion.

You will encounter Christian and Pagan elements and activities in our encampments at events. THESE ARE FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY and do not represent the beliefs of SAVGR or its members. Later in the Viking Age, many Vikings converted to Christianity, but remained culturally Viking. Occasionally, you may also see elements of Norse, Celtic, or Germanic Paganism, as these were practiced by Vikings before converting to Christianity. We sometimes consult as experts to ensure historical accuracy and religious respect to the best of our knowledge.

Bottom Line

Be kind, be respectful, and respect others’ private lives and religious views, regardless of personal opinion. If you cannot do that, you have no place here.