Whether or not you are camping with us, be sure to bring water or drinks (and that may mean a cooler with ice in it that you’ll need to store out of sight in someone’s tent) so that you don’t have to hike over to Sutler’s Row and rely on the sutlers and their sometimes exorbitant prices to provide you with something to drink. The days can be awfully hot and dusty and you will definitely want something to drink, especially if you are wearing wool clothing on a warm day or if you wear all of those beautiful Victorian undergarments with your dress. If you choose not to participate in the Food Committee (explained in your Information Packet), be prepared to cook or else bring food that does not require cooking. Do not bank on restaurants being close at hand.

You may decide that you want to really "rough it" at each event (termed "hardcore camping" or "campaign-style campaign" by some in re-enacting), and bring no camp furniture or shelter of any description. Some choose to do without camp furniture, and sleep in the open under nothing more than a blanket, or a blanket and a poncho. It certainly takes less time to set up and tear down than a tent and furnishings. Most folks in our Company have chosen to bring along something more than that, though, and that commonly includes some form of camp furniture as well as a tent.

Most people in the company have afforded the outfitting of themselves, including camp furniture, but don’t have enough for other folks, so if you plan to sit on something other than the seat of your pants and the ground, buy a canvas camp stool at Wal-Mart or the more comfortable canvas-back chair from Service Merchandise for each member of your family attending the event to make sure that you and we can all be comfortable. If you don’t like to sit on a stool (here’s a hint - nobody sits on a stool when there’s a chair available), bring your own chair rather than taking someone else’s. The difference in price is about $15 - a stool costs about $8 and a canvas-back / seat director’s chair costs about $23. Some sutlers sell folding canvas-backed chairs for somewhere around $16 to $25, but these are not always readily available at re-enactments. If you are going to spend money on camp furniture, we recommend that you spend the extra money for chairs and be comfortable.

Make preparations for the weather. If you have sensitive skin, particularly if you are a man wearing a kepi or a woman or child who may not be wearing any form of hat, be sure to bring and apply sun block. The small bill of a kepi is just big enough to make men think that they have a real hat on their heads, but it’s too small to keep you from burning your face to a crisp if you spend much time in the sun. Ladies may want to give some serious thought to having a shawl or even a cloak for the cool or colder evenings. If you have allergies, they will act up all weekend because you will be spending the weekend in the factory where allergenic materials are produced.

Bugs also like to camp out. You may want to bring bug spray for wherever you will be, and citronella candles or citronella oil to burn around the camp and in the tent. Some folks burn citronella oil in their kerosene lanterns or their oil lamps. While citronella is not 100% effective in keeping mosquitoes away, you are 85% less likely to be bitten than someone who uses no citronella at all. Also, when setting up your tent or placing your stools, beds, sleeping bags, chairs, or tables, look out for fire ant hills. Fire ants will test your religion sorely, and may exercise your vocabulary excessively.

The rule in camp is to burn all garbage that is neither plastic nor recyclable. That is especially important when it comes to food, for nothing will attract bugs and animals like that food you have been heating for them all day in the trash sack. Burn your scraps.

Bring a roll of toilet paper or two. No matter what event organizers may claim to provide by way of amenities (whether porta-johns or flush toilets), spectators may steal the toilet paper or it may get knocked into the wet, nasty floor, or they may simply run out. Don’t find yourself having to "rely upon the kindness of strangers" - especially in some out-of-the-way porta-john spot. Be prepared. Some folks tote their toilet paper to the porta-john or the bathroom in either their haversack (men and boys) or their reticules (ladies and girls) when they don’t want everyone to know their business. Just don’t leave home without it. Using leaves may improve the authenticity of your impression but will probably ruin your disposition. We are not that authentic.

You can count on losing, damaging, or breaking at least one thing every time you go out. Plan on it. The legs of your $8 camp stool will break, or you will not be able to find the fan you bought yesterday at the sutler’s. You will set down a tin cup that no one will ever see again. Put your name on things that will be easily mixed up with the same items owned by other folks, and then relax. If someone in the unit mistakenly takes your - well, whatever you lost - you can bank on it coming back to you. If it breaks, fix it or throw it out. Remember that we’re trying to have fun, so don’t let these little things bother you. As Elvis said when he was asked why he made all of those mindless, silly movies, he said, "We do it because it’s fun. When it ceases to be fun, we shall cease to do it."