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| Soldiers at Neshaminy State Park 2014 |
I get a lot of emails from budding reenactors about to go to their first reenactment. They ask me for all sorts of advice but most of them want to know if what they have is "okay." Generally, most of them have a basic reenacting kit that will most likely soon be updated but is a decent enough starting point. We all know, authenticity is a personal journey and most will attain good enough, soon enough. This is a post to tell new reenactors what I wish someone told me: It's okay to be a little bit of a farb and here's why.
At my first event, I wanted to go super-hardcore. I thought that's what I was supposed to do as there is so much emphasis on it in the hobby. I didn't know anything about the rule of hiding non-period items so I just did without any of them, including things I really should have had with me, like a cell phone. I didn't bring a hairbrush, a toothbrush or a change of clothes. I did not know what I was in for!
Little did anyone tell me but my first event was in the mountains in the fall. I had no extra clothing to keep warm and only one blanket. I fell in a stream and had no way to dry off. I went to bed wet, cold and frozen and honestly could have gotten very sick. I was hours away from home and had no way of contacting anyone. It was very unsafe and I will always tell beginning reenactors that it's okay to start out as a bit of a farb. Safety is first. As experience grows, so will authenticity. As your kit grows, your use of non period items will dwindle. But until you reach that point. Do what you need to do to be safe.
Whenever I recieve an e-mail from a new reenactor about what to bring to their first event, I always tell them to add these items. they take up very little space and can make the difference between a horrible event and a great one. These can be very useful, even if you just keep them in the car.
Stephanie Ann's (Farby but Important) Reenactor Survival Kit
Items:
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Sunscreen- You might not always need it, but it's good if you have it.
There are even sunscreen wipes for sale that take up very little space.
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Lip Balm
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Nail Clippers- Not only are nail issues a pain at events, but these are tiny and can be used to cut thread and string.
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Trash bag- In the event of a downpour, it's good to be able to have something to throw all of your stuff in it. Also these are helpful at the end of events for trash or dirty equipment.
- Small sewing kit (if there isn't one as part of your period kit.)
-Twine- You better believe I've found a use for twine at almost every event. From replacement canteen cork holders to tent pole lashings.
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Tissues and/or wet wipes. You'll thank me when you end up in a depleted portable toilet at 1 am.
- Washcloth or small towel.
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Hand Sanitizer
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Any medicines you may need.
-Bandages-Helpful for blisters.
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| Everything Loose. |
Emergency Items:
-Spare money
-Phone numbers, addresses in case you lose your phone or it dies.
-Spare phone battery.
-Spare car key
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Gatorade Powder, chews or other electrolyte supplement. A recipe for a cheap one made from things in your kitchen can be found
here.
Optional:
-Spare change of clothing or at least undies and socks.
For ladies:
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Feminine products- You never know who will need them. Maybe I should have put this under the general section, as these are now the newest thing in
manly survival.
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Extra hairpins
For gentlemen:
-Extra canteen cork
-Extra clothing patches
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Spare gun cleaning equipment
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| All Packed Away |
For a long time, I kept my emergency items in a decent sized poke sack but a small box can be used with good results and locked up. Also, some of these items can be kept on your person if you think it would be helpful, such as tissues or lip balm.
Any reenactors have some advice for new recruits? Also, if you know any new reenactors, please forward this post!
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