Camping

In General

Camping in the SCA's West Kingdom is different than modern camping. It can be more strenuous yet more relaxing and luxurious at the same time. Planning and preparation are key, and you may find that it takes a few seasons of camping events to get used to the distinctions.

• You will haul more crap when camping in the SCA than in most anything else you do (unless hauling crap is your mundane profession).
• California summers can be very hot during the day, yet rather cool at night. Plan accordingly.
• Fire danger and water scarcity are always concerns in the West.
• If the event is large and the site is crowded, you will find yourself camping very closely with your neighbors. Sound carries, and shadows are cast.

Think about these things and give yourself time before the event to get your gear together so you can have a pleasant camping experience.

Care and Feeding of Our Sites

Read any instructions for the specific site, because some of our locations can be strict. We want to be good guests, so everyone has to follow the rules. If you are unclear on anything, ask the autocrat in advance. Some general advice:

• Drive only where we are clearly allowed, and keep to any parking restrictions.
• Put garbage and recycling in marked containers on site. Haul out garbage where necessary.
• Tell the autocrat immediately if there are any issues with site facilities (clogged toilets, etc.).
• Leave the site cleaner than you found it. After packing up, do a sweep of your camping area and pick up any debris (food, garbage, etc.). Pick up after your pets and neighbors and along any paths.

Camping in Style

Remember, we're supposed to be recreating the middle ages! So leave the Coleman and REI gear at home, or at least disguise the heck out of it. While it's awesome if you can be super perfectly historically accurate, not everyone can be at the start. But everyone can make an effort to not look modern.

Throw a thrift-store brocade tablecloth over that cooler. Swap out the nylon camp chair for a wooden one from Ikea. Instead of the electric twinkly lights, get a candle-burning lantern enclosed in glass, found on eBay. It can be inexpensive and fun to collect period-esque and full-blown authentic items for your camp setup, all of which will be just as functional and twice as fun as any modern camping gear.

Pitching Your Tent

Only historical-style pavilions are supposed to be along the Eric (the fighting field). If you have a modern tent or shade structure, make sure to place it behind the row of historical pavilions and out of view of the Eric.

Guy ropes should be flagged so that people don't trip over them.

Because California has a high fire risk, pavilions and shade structures used in this state should be made of fire-retardant materials.

Fire Safety

For events in California, be aware that summer is fire season. Some event sites have fire restrictions, so check with the autocrat about fire pits, cooking over open flame, etc.

Throughout the year, flames for light should be enclosed, such as within a lantern or a hurricane glass. Exposed candles and torches are not safe in the West.

It's a good idea for each individual camp to have a chemical fire extinguisher handy.

Water

Not every site has potable (drinkable) water available. A few sites we use are an inconvenient distance from stores. So plan ahead and bring enough water so that everyone in your camp has enough water to drink. Bring extra if you have any fighters in your group!

Freeze water in plastic bottles so it acts as ice in the cooler early in the event and becomes cool drinking water later. Similarly, fill a dispenser cooler with ice before you leave home so it'll be cool water at the site.

Conserve water on-site. Many of our locations are county parks in very dry, drought-prone areas. Don't let faucets, toilets, or hoses run, and if you see broken plumbing, notify the autocrat.

Be conservative with how much water you use in camp for cleaning up. A damp cloth and a little dishwashing liquid can clean up many dishes. Use the last bits of heated water from cooking for clean up.

Clothing

In summer, you'll want to keep cool, and in spring and fall, you'll want to keep warm. This means the same thing during the medieval era as it does during the West's modern era -- layers. Plan a wardrobe you can add layers to or take layers off. This way, you'll be comfortable all day and season long.

In hot weather, linen and other natural fibers will breathe well and keep you cooler.

At night, year-round, you'll want some type of cloak / coat / cape, because even in summer, nights can be cool. A big wool cape can also act as a blanket on your bed or a spread to sit upon.

Furniture

You don't need to invest in a lot of furniture at first. If you're sharing a pavilion with a friend, you can get along without any big furniture at all.

The one thing you will need, however, is a chair of your own. This should be something simple and light that you can carry around. You may want to take it to classes at an arts and sciences event or so you can have a seat during a lengthy court session. A wooden folding chair found at places like Cost Plus World Market will suffice, or go for a more historically accurate version such as this folding camp chair.

Sleeping

Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to a camp bed. The most simple is a modern sleeping bag on the ground, but that's also the least comfortable. A step up is to add a modern air mattress. This can be quite sufficient for many people, plus it's very inexpensive and doesn't require much storage space. In summer, this arrangement may be warm enough, although some find that air mattresses alone can be chilly.

An added layer of comfort can be had with a cot. This raises you off the cold ground and gives a different type of back support. Add a layer of egg-crate foam between cot and sleeping bag, and this is pretty darn comfortable.

Other ways to keep warm include adding a layer between the air mattress and the sleeping bag, wearing a hat at night, wearing long underwear, and using a hot water bottle (save water from doing the evening dishes).

For a more historically authentic sleeping experience, you could build a rope bed or a wooden slat bed. Then put a mattress on top of that.

Don't Forget to Bring

In addition to your usual toiletries, medications, food, water, costumes, tent, furniture, and other gear, make sure to stash these in your kit:

• Baby wipes (perfect for cleaning up when there's no water)
• Flashlight (for late-night privy runs)
• Sunscreen (it'll be sunny when you least expect it)
• Extra plastic garbage bags (for cleaning up when you leave)
• First-aid kit (in case of emergency)