Duchess Bridget's SCA Camping Tips By Bridget Lucia MacKenzie

You certainly do not have to bring all these items, but use this as a checklist to make sure the items you want to bring get packed in your vehicle.

Tent tent, ropes, poles, stakes (remember ALL the poles!) sledgehammer or mallet, shovel extra rope, extra stakes floor cloth and plastic tarp dining/sun shade poles, ropes, stakes for it light colored flags to mark ropes rugs broom & dustpan Campsite duct tape trunk transport/storage boxes camp chairs folding table sleeping bag, blankets cot or mattress air mattress & pump pillow cloths to cover boxes porta-potty & sanitizer trash containers and bags poles for lanterns/banners banners Light/Heat/Cooking fire extinguisher (for each tent) fire buckets tongs for fire fuel for fire: wood or briquettes large matches firestarter camp stove & fuel flashlights, battery lanterns Solar lights (remember NO flames inside tents) Feast Gear basket, tablecloth, napkins plates, bowls, goblets utensils, corkscrew candles, candlesticks, matches extra trashbags Kitchen cooler, ice waterbottle/waterjug (1 gallon per person, per day) paper towels, utility towels cutting board, knives dish soap, bleach, washbasin scrubber sponge/steel wool Dutch oven pots, pans, skillet, griddle measuring spoons/cups bowls for mixing, serving plates for serving bug covers for food tripod, grill, spit, oven camp stove & fuel corkscrew, bottle opener, can opener spices, herbs, salt and pepper sugar, honey, oil, tea, coffee food, alcohol aluminum foil, potholders large spoons, forks, tongs, skewers quart and gallon ziplock bags Grooming packaged wet-wipes soap, shampoo, conditioner toothbrush and paste mouthwash solar shower bag (there are solar showers and shower truck, so you may not need) towels & washcloths toilet paper hairbrush, comb makeup, mirror shaving gear feminine hygiene products nailbrush & clippers contacts and solution glasses, hair ties emergency sewing kit scissors, safety pins, clothes pins for drying towels lip balm, deodorant, hand lotion bug spray, sunblock, sunburn lotion personal protection supplies

Clothing dirty clothes bag rain poncho or tunic shoes (several pairs) boots Camp shoes, slippers belts, extra laces or ties tunics, gowns over-tunics, robes underwear, chemises jewelry, awards, coronet cloak headpieces, hats, veils extra socks extra clothes in waterproof container Fighting Gear armor bag extra cup & supporter armor fighting boots shield gambeson weapons armor repair kit more duct tape authorization card archery equipment extra bowstring Fighter Authorization card fighting favor Personal Use earplugs pouch, belt knife wallet with ID, pic of ID and vaccination card on phone money, bank card, spare keys pen and paper flashlight fan staff/walking stick sunglasses prescription medication copies of prescriptions (incl. eyeglass) allergy/hay fever medications intestinal medications ibuprofen first aid kit site pre-registration proof of membership maps/directions hotel reservations plane tickets Extras clock/radio/thermometer cell phone, solar charger, brick battery walkie-talkies spare batteries books games, toys calligraphy supplies heraldry supplies instrument and music needlework, craft supplies

• While you are still at home read the ENTIRE Great Western War website.
• Read all the rules and policies including those about fire safety, site rules, pets, children, etc.
• YOU are responsible for knowing this info and abiding by the rules.
• Look at all the schedules, making note of classes, battles and tournaments that you want to attend.
• I make my own meeting notices on my phone's calendar to remind me.
• Know how you are getting through the Gate (pre-registered or not), and if needed what forms of payment are accepted.
• Know what ID, membership card is required, and have them ready. Saves me a trip back and forth to the van.
• Know what times Gate is open, and plan to arrive when it is.
• View the map, noting where everything is.

• Write down the To-Do Projects on one list, and the Prep/Pack tasks and items on another.
• To-Do items are like MAKE A NEW HIGHLY DETAILED PIECE OF GARB or BUILD A NEW TENT. Big, scary projects that you kept telling yourself you should have done over the past 2 years while stuck at home, but by gosh, you are going to try to do them days before leaving for War. Sure, me too!
• Prep/Pack tasks are:
  • Pulling out your garb, see what fits and is mostly still functional and getting it ready for transport.
  • Make up zip-lock bags full of soup or cocktails, and freezing them.
  • Finding all your period shoes and socks, stuff into one bag/box.
  • Jewelry/weapons/armor sort and pack.
  • You are doing mental car-Tetris as you touch each item, planning how they will fit ... and how they will unload at site.

• Do the To-Do items FIRST, fitting the littler Prep/Pack tasks to break up the immensity of the big jobs.
• If you do all the little stuff first, your brain will explode when that big elephant is sitting naked and unfinished in your living room the day before you leave!
• Calm your mind, focus, and be smart with your time management!
• And if you absolutely know that you can't finish the big project, its OK to say "I will finish by Potrero May War" and move on to stuff you CAN finish! I give you permission.
• Now get your Lists and keep moving! You are doing GREAT!

• If you plan on having a spirited beverage, you must be over 21.
  • I recommend having picture of your ID on your phone so you can show it when asked. Safer than carrying around your real ID card.

• And drink responsibly.
• Hydrate while imbibing so you do not get sick and cause others to have to care for you.
• Do not offer alcohol to minors, that is a Go Directly to Jail offense.
• Do not ruin someone else's event by making them deal with your issues.
• Do not be a jerk.
• Also, keep picture of your (and your family and pets') vaccination info on your phone. And perhaps a face mask in your pouch. Officially, the SCA does not require vaccination checks or face masks anymore, but some camps or merchants might.
• Be kind, Be considerate of others, Be prepared.

• Look up the weather forecast for Taft, California, and bring clothing, shoes and accessories that are appropriate
• If it is too hot, too cold, or otherwise outside your own physical limits, there is no shame in seeking the nearest grocery store frozen food section to cool down, or get a hotel with a room heater to survive the chill of night.
• If you are not prepared to be in adverse weather conditions, you do not HAVE to rough it
• This is supposed to be your vacation, not Survivor, CAID style!

After unloading your vehicle and as you are driving to park, be aware of what camps and facilities are where in relation to the maps. This will make it easier to find them as you walk the site over the course of the event.

If you are bringing a trailer, bring chocks to wedge under all the wheels. The wind can sometimes blow around empty trailers in the parking lots.

A SHOVEL can be the most critical tool at your campsite! Needed for filling gopher holes! But please try not to tear up the grass! And definitely do NOT hurt any of the trees!

• When you leave your camp for a day of adventures, pack an "away kit" with water/hydration, lunch/snacks, meds, sunscreen/hat/cloak and other necessaries to sustain you without having to go back to camp
• If you have kids, dogs or others who depend on you, pack stuff for them, too
• Maybe bring a cart to carry your stuff
• Don't get stuck away from sustenance or other needed items!
• There are so many friends you want to see and visit with!
• Make a list NOW of those you intend to see, and then check them off as you find them
• If there are folks you have missed near the end of the event, take the time to seek them out!
• Even better, make plans to meet them somewhere, or let them know where you will be when, so they can find you!