How would one get involved in campaining?

[Pvt.A.Wells]

What I am saying is that having the best gear is not the important thing. Attitude is what counts. Start out with loaner gear, and spend your time learning how to life, speak, and act the role of the man of the 60's. I one item you should get is a good pair of shoes. A good progressive, campaigning outfit will be able to help you learn. Now if you already have gear, use what you have, and improve it as you can. Again attitude still trumps stuff. I rather see a fellow with mainstream gear, and uniform that speaks, and acts like the man of the 60s, with good knowlege of drill, than a guy in outstanding gear and uniform, that doesn't know squat.

Getting a group with good sponsors and role models, is really important. They can stear you clear of spending your money unwisely, and show you ways to improve without spending a fortune. Learn basic sewing skills. The men of that day had to. Really the mainstreamer spends more money on average than the campaigner over time. Reason is simple, the campaigner (if sponsered correctly) spends his money wisely on what he really needs, while the mainstreamers spends what he thinks he needs, or sub standard items, then keeps buying as things wear out quickly or has he upgrades over the year, not to mention too much canvas and camp gear.

 

[GAvolunteer]

If Anders is thowing the shindig, it is well worth doing. There is a huge difference between
the authentic campaigner events and what Chris Anders does. Campaign style (re)enacting
is the opposite, really.

What does he do?

 

[RNMCSA]

What does he do?

Go here and you will find out http://www.marylandmymaryland.org/

 

[GAvolunteer]

Go here and you will find out http://www.marylandmymaryland.org/

How are they different?

"There is a huge difference between
the authentic campaigner events and what Chris Anders does"

 

[James B White]

How are they different?

"There is a huge difference between
the authentic campaigner events and what Chris Anders does"

I agree that there's a huge difference. I've been to a couple of Anders events, and quite a few campaign events. Here's a summary of guidelines for one campaign event, based on an email I received recently for an event I'm going to next year.

There won't be any sanitary facilities. No Portajohns; also no first aid stations and no chance of hiding modern things. Particiants must be physically fit in order to handle the event. Last time, a handful of participants overestimated their abilities, brought too much to carry, and had trouble. The only access down to the site is on foot or horseback, so we can't send an ambulance in. Once the event starts, all conversation will be in first person, with no off time. There will be no pre-planned scenarios. Participants must be able to march with everything on their back for several miles a day, up or downhill, possibly in rainy or hot weather.

That's what I'm used to for a campaign event. I was at the last edition of that particular event, and it was lots of fun.

Compare that to the guidelines for Anders' events, and you'll see the difference. They're aimed at a different type of reenactor, who wants a different kind of experience, but for people who want what Anders offers, I'd recommend his events as generally well organized and well run.

 

[GAvolunteer]

There won't be any sanitary facilities. No Portajohns; also no first aid stations and no chance of hiding modern things. Particiants must be physically fit in order to handle the event. Last time, a handful of participants overestimated their abilities, brought too much to carry, and had trouble. The only access down to the site is on foot or horseback, so we can't send an ambulance in. Once the event starts, all conversation will be in first person, with no off time. There will be no pre-planned scenarios. Participants must be able to march with everything on their back for several miles a day, up or downhill, possibly in rainy or hot weather.

That is something id love to get into. ...mouth waters...

 

[James B White]

That is something id love to get into. ...mouth waters...

Check your private messages.

 

[Craig L Barry]

What he means is that going out to a campaigner event and being a good sport about it is more important than having all of the perfect equipment and going out w/ a bad attitude. One of the other hallmarks of a campaigner event is the attempt to cram everything that could happen to a soldier in four years into one weekend.

If something can go wrong, it will. You need to have a certain level of field craft to deal
with the "surprises." Some planned, some unplanned. Of course, rough terrain, no water
where water is supposed to be located, etc.

 

[Pvt.A.Wells]

Both Craig and James put it best. At my age, I am now in the campaign lite phase. I love the camplife, the lingo, but can not handle more than 5 miles. Just not in shape anymore. True campaigning is really a young pard activity. For me Ander's events are of a nice quality. I notice I am going more and more towards Living History, but good scenarios with people of like minds keeps things fresh for me. So far the highlight of this year has been Mills Spring in Jan. Hoping to recapture that kind of magic at Maryland my Maryland with campaign style camping.

 

[Craig L Barry]

It all depends on how you have fun and what level of experience you want.
Campaigner events are more for the young bucks true enough, based on the
physical challenges. I know of one seasoned (re)enactor who was diabetic and
almost perished out in boonies when the going got tough. You have to know your
limitations and what to expect.

I blew out my knee at a campaign event out in the middle of nowhere, literally
the tendon that holds the top of your leg to the bottom half snapped in two. I had
to limp back for several miles using my musket as a crutch, and falling hard
more than a few times. Didn't bother me too much as it was pins and needles numb,
which is how you know you have really screwed up something that aspirin won't fix.
The whole thing seemed very realistic, in fact. I was kind of proud of myself for getting
out of there in the way which circumstances proved necessary. Different strokes
for different folks.

That was late October. Got the knee operated on and was back in the field
(with a brace) in time for the Stones River anniversary programs in late December.
Now, that is not everybody's cup of tea.

 

[Pvt.A.Wells]

What I mean is you could have the best of gear, and uniforms, and still not be a progressive. Attitude is far more important than anything else.

In other words when you start out, do not worry about getting all the gear together, instead work on drill, living the life in the field, perfecting field skills, learning the lingo, and learning how to think like the man of the 60s. With time you will aquire the needed items. but your main Focus on ATTITUDE, and learning good skills.

Too many times I have seen guys buy gear, uniforms ect. and burn themselves out before they really get thier feet wet. Why because they did not invest in what really counts. I rather see guys with loaner uniforms, or not all that good gear, but living the progressive campaign style life in the field. They then come to love the hobby, and with time will get up to speed with weapons, equipment and uniforms. With the proper attitude the fellow will naturally progress.

 

[kealbo54]

What I mean is you could have the best of gear, and uniforms, and still not be a progressive. Attitude is far more important than anything else.

In other words when you start out, do not worry about getting all the gear together, instead work on drill, living the life in the field, perfecting field skills, learning the lingo, and learning how to think like the man of the 60s. With time you will aquire the needed items. but your main Focus on ATTITUDE, and learning good skills.

Too many times I have seen guys buy gear, uniforms ect. and burn themselves out before they really get thier feet wet. Why because they did not invest in what really counts. I rather see guys with loaner uniforms, or not all that good gear, but living the progressive campaign style life in the field. They then come to love the hobby, and with time will get up to speed with weapons, equipment and uniforms. With the proper attitude the fellow will naturally progress.

As almost always,I agree with PvtWells.With attitude comes the willingness to learn,and the passion to pass it along to others.I cant count the times I am sure I have bored people to tears with my passion to pass along information I have picked up along the way.My kit is not all perfect,but my willingness to improve it,when and where I can,means more to me than always being able to.I have "two" of lots of things,because it took me that willingness.I have never done a campaign style event,heck ,150th Antietam(mainstream) will be my first event as an actual registered participant,and from that,I hope to learn enough each time,to just be able to spark an interest in someone else.We dont live in vacuums,someone,somewhere sparked our own interest in this hobby.The things I have learned in just the past year amaze me,but it took the right attitude to study minute aspects of a war and a time and place to do it.My impression of a war correspondent from England has even set me to brushing up on accents.I recently scored a good deal on a Canton Blue china cup and saucer,as I refuse,as an Englishman,even in camp,to drink my coffeee from a dreadful tin cup.Its kind of like Hollywood,where you get to be your own actor and director,with access to a great research staff.My fun,is correctly teaching others,and hearing that "wow,thats cool,I never knew that",and if my vest doesnt have the correct number of buttons,being able to accept hearing that from someone who may know better than me.Sorry about the long ramble.

 

[Craig L Barry]

What I mean is you could have the best of gear, and uniforms, and still not be a progressive. Attitude is far more important than anything else.

In other words when you start out, do not worry about getting all the gear together, instead work on drill, living the life in the field, perfecting field skills, learning the lingo, and learning how to think like the man of the 60s. With time you will aquire the needed items. but your main Focus on ATTITUDE, and learning good skills.

Too many times I have seen guys buy gear, uniforms ect. and burn themselves out before they really get thier feet wet. Why because they did not invest in what really counts. I rather see guys with loaner uniforms, or not all that good gear, but living the progressive campaign style life in the field. They then come to love the hobby, and with time will get up to speed with weapons, equipment and uniforms. With the proper attitude the fellow will naturally progress.

If that is you in the avatar image, I would say you have a pretty darned good looking kit.

 

[Pvt.A.Wells]

If that is you in the avatar image, I would say you have a pretty darned good looking kit.

Yepper that is me at Hale Farm this year. Going campaign style for the weekend.