Camping Tips for SCA Camping with an Emphasis on Large Scale Wars
Rosemounde of Mercia (copyright Micaela Burnham 2013)

1. Shelter—The topic of tents is an issue unto itself, but it does deserve some notes here. Most of us in the SCA started with some kind of mundane tent. I have always preferred one that I could stand up in as opposed to a dome tent, but domes are economical and easy to pack. If you have a choice, get something with sturdy poles and ropes that is big enough for you and all of your stuff.
   
2. Beds and Bedding
   1. Get your bed off the ground in some way. Camping inevitably involves flooding, bugs, dampness, hard ground, and other non-modern inconveniences. You can purchase a camp bed, or you can make one. It can be as simple as plywood on top of heavy milk crates, or a more complex period style bed.
   2. Sleep on a mattress. Bringing a standard mattress is often impractical, but they are easy to make. Three to four inches of close sell foam topped with egg-crate foam or memory foam work great. You can cut the close cell foam into sections to make it easier to pack, then zip the sections into a mattress or box spring cover. Mine are individually covered in nylon to keep out moisture.
   3. Use real sheets and blankets instead of sleeping bags. They are easier to launder and dry, easier to pack, and you already have them at home.
3. Lighting
   1. In your tent. Candles are dangerous. If they burn down or tip over, the hot wax lights all flammable materials in its path. I have seen a tent burn down (it nearly exploded) from an unattended candle. Don’t use candles unless they are completely enclosed, and never leave one lit when you leave the tent.
      1. Modern alternatives. Battery powered lights of various types are cheap and widely available. I like the fake candles. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and some look very realistic. Propane lights are safe if used properly in tents with adequate ventilation. They put out a lot of light, but should not be used in plastic or nylon tents because of the buildup of fumes.
      2. Period alternatives. Oil lamps are period, fairly easy to make, put out quite a bit of light, and are safer that either candles or propane. By oil lamp I mean one that burns olive oil, NOT lamp oil or tiki torch fuel, which are petrochemical fuels that should never be used in an enclosed space. Oil lamps are safer because vegetable oils will not burn at room temperature without a wick. If you knock one over, it goes out. Also, only the top ½ inch needs to be oil, the remainder of space in your container is water. Oil lamps in clear glass containers create a lot of light. Master Bedwyr teaches an excellent class on oil lamps and how to make them, and some merchants have begun selling oil lamps as well.
   2. Outdoor lighting
      1. Tiki torches are by far the most common as they are safe if deployed correctly and tended properly. The rule at Pennsic is that they must be the length of the pole plus 3 feet from anything flammable—like tents. Petrochemical fuels should be taken seriously. Don’t leave them unattended. Check and replace wicks as needed. Do not dump left-over oil on the ground or in sumps or ditches—pour it back into the container.
      2. Propane torches are used in some large camps. These must be in totally open areas and away from where people might bump into them accidentally. Usually these are quite tall so that the flame is well over everyone’s’ heads.
      3. Oil lamps can also be used outdoors. Large glass lamps hung from holders put out as much light as a tiki torch. They make great chandeliers in a dining area as well.
4. Clothing
   1. Be prepared for all kinds of weather, regardless of the season. Mother Nature has a sense of humor. Bring water-proof boots.
   2. Have a clean set of mundane clothes in zip-lock bags in your car.
   3. Fabrics that must be dry cleaned and camping events generally do not mix well.
5. Keeping clean
   1. Make sure that your camp has a way for people to wash their hands. All you need is a water source, a vessel, and soap. At its simplest, a pitcher of water, a bowl, and a bar of soap will do. Liquid pump soaps are more sanitary for group usage. I keep a small basin, homemade soap, and knitted washcloths in my tent so I can freshen up when needed.
   2. Anti-bacterial gels are convenient. You should have some around camp, but they are not the best thing for keeping clean. Hand washing is far better at actually killing germs.
   3. Bathing can be a challenge at camping events.
      1. For long events, like Pennsic and Gulf Wars, many camps have a shower set-up in camp. This can be as simple as a sun heated bag of water hung from a tree branch, or as elaborate as a small trailer with a hot water heater. If you decide to go this route, follow all the site rules for disposal of “grey water” by having a sump or drainage ditch.
      2. If you use the site’s shower facilities, be sure that you wear shower shoes of some kind and have a convenient way to carry your toiletries, towel, clean clothes, and soiled clothes.
      3. Use travel size and individual use packages of toiletry products. They pack easily, are more convenient to tote around, and if you lose one, you have back-ups.
6. Fires: Fires are great to have in camp. You have lighting, heat, and a cooking method all in one. You also have safety issues, so be sure that you know the site rules and follow them. Have a working fire extinguisher, a bucket of water, and/or a container of sand located near, but not right next to, your fire.
   1. Starting the fire
      1. Many methods work. Splash a little tiki torch fuel on your kindling, or use purchased fire starters (usually sawdust compressed with wax), or put charcoal briquettes into the cups of a cardboard egg carton.
      2. Butane lighters with long stems are better and safer than matches. You are much less likely to burn yourself, and most of these work in cold and wind.
      3. Everyone in the SCA should light a fire with flint and steel at least once.
   2. Maintaining the fire
      1. Never light a fire and walk away. There should be someone watching an open fire at all times.
      2. Fires require maintenance. You have to give them fuel periodically and rearrange the fuel that is already there
   3. Types of fires
      1. Cooking fires usually have low or no flame, and they have the heat distributed evenly for even cooking. Charcoal fires are generally hotter than wood fires for cooking and require a special skill set.
      2. Bonfires are for enjoyment, light, and heat. You can toast marshmallows on them, but only if you like yours coated in ash.
      3. You don’t have to be able to see it from space for it to be a real fire.
      4. S’mores are awesome even when you’re an adult.
7. Maintaining your health
   1. Medications: if you take regular meds, make sure you bring them. There are many convenient carrying boxes available to have meds divided into dosages per day. Also bring a variety of common over the counter meds for tummy troubles, allergies, pain remedy, and insect bites, etc.
   2. Condoms. Have them, use them, give them to others.
   3. Bring sunscreen. Remember to use and reapply the sunscreen. Bring aloe vera in case you forget to use the sunscreen. Also bring a brimmed hat.
   4. Bring a complete, well-stocked first aid kit with lots of bandages. Throw in some ace bandages, hot and cold packs, muscle rub, and various ointments for cuts and rashes.
   5. Make mini-first aid kits to carry in your belt pouch. Start with zip-lock snack sized bags and put in each a single use pack of anti-bacterial ointment and several adhesive bandages. Add anything else you are likely to need for your personal health—lactase pills, emergency inhaler, etc.
   6. Don’t get any new piercings or tattoos within two weeks of going camping.
   7. Be careful what you drink. This applies to water in some areas, but also to other beverages.
      1. Some camping sites to do filter or treat water. Be sure you treat it or drink bottle water.
      2. Just because the punch at the party is free, doesn’t mean you should drink it. Always ask what is in the drink you are given. Don’t drink anything called “The Sodomizer.”
      3. Use some restraint when consuming alcohol. You want to wake up knowing what you did and where your clothes are. Alcohol poisoning isn’t fun for you or anyone else around you.
   8. Don’t touch any wild plants or wildlife unless you know it is safe.
   9. Use insect repellent. Some homemade ones are fine, but only Deet products protect against ticks. Mosquitoes, fleas, flies, and gnats can be discouraged with incense, lavender, sage, and other products. Actually keeping them from biting you can be more difficult. Be sure you have some bite and sting remedies in your first aid kit. Use only food safe insect killers in camp, especially if there are children and/or animals present.
   10. Stay hydrated. Drink lots of water, even if you don’t think you need it.
   11. Know how to get to the nearest hospital.
8. Keeping dry
   1. A tent is not a house. It is made of cloth and even the best ones will leak and/or flood under the right circumstances. Be prepared in advance.
   2. As previously mentioned—get your bed off the floor.
   3. Now that your bed is off the floor, use the space under it for storage with waterproof bins. Have extra empty bins and extra-large zip-lock bags in your tent for use in an emergency.
   4. Even without flooding, high humidity and morning dew can cause things to be damp or downright wet. Anything that is moisture sensitive (like your cell phone) should be kept in a waterproof container.
   5. Chests are one of the best ways to store clothing. They keep everything dry and are the most period method of storage. Make sure that your chests have feet that keep them off the ground/floor. If the bottom of the chest gets wet, the moisture will wick up to everything in it.
   6. Baskets are great for storage. To keep the contents dry, cover the top with a cloth. Hang your baskets from hooks, or if they must sit on the floor, line the interiors with a waterproof material like outdoor tablecloths.
9. Cooking, eating, and dining
   1. Scenario #1:  You don’t cook, don’t want to cook, and just want to have your food appear magically.
      1. There are probably food merchants that would be happy to cater to your needs. Some even have reasonably priced meal plans.
      2. If you cannot afford, or just don’t want to eat out three times a day, there are some easy alternatives. With a one or two burner camp stove and minimal equipment, you can prepare a variety of hot foods from cans and packets. Some of them actually taste OK. There are also meal bars, meal beverages, cracker and cheese packs, tuna and chicken salad packets, and sandwich makings.
   2. Scenario #2:  You are a bit more adventurous with cooking, and/or you see camp meals as a positive way for everyone to get together.
      1. With minimal equipment, you can put together a camp kitchen and dining area. Plywood on saw-horses, plastic folding tables, or more period wooden tables are all useful for both dining and work surfaces. Plastic bins are good for storage, as are the wide variety of plastic food storage bins and bags. Everything from tiny spice holders to gallon pitchers can be had at reasonable prices. Cookware and utensils can be stored in bins or hung from hooks.
      2. “Garage” style tents, pop-ups, even lean-tos can be adapted into excellent kitchen and dining tents.
      3. Find a way to make good coffee and tea. If you can boil water, you can use a French press pot, and stove top percolators are still available in camping stores.
      4. Use a fire for cooking. Whether it’s a charcoal grill or a camp fire, fire is an excellent medium for food preparation. Basic frying, grilling, sautéing, even poaching are easy to do over a fire.          
      5. It is OK to use some convenience foods. Pre-mixed pancake batter of the “add water and pour” variety is a great time saver. Sauce and gravy packets, pre-made stocks, etc. are good time savers without sacrificing flavor.       
      6. Do use fresh foods like fresh vegetable, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and fresh meats whenever possible.
   3. Scenario #3: You love to cook, are an accomplished home cook, and might want to experiment with period foods.
      1. You can make fresh bread in camp. Bread can be baked in a variety of ways: in a camp stove oven that you can purchase, in a period style oven that you can build in camp, or in a Dutch oven, buried in hot coals. Bread dough can also be formed into balls and deep fried or rolled thin and cooked on a griddle, or many other ways. Use frozen bread dough if you don’t want to make it from scratch.
      2. Start with period recipes that have already been “redacted,” i.e. translated into modern English with amounts and cooking times.
      3. Make period sauces from scratch. These are fairly simple and can’t “break” like modern sauces.
      4. Don’t forget beverages. Sekanjabin (minty water with vinegar and honey) is perfect for hot weather. Mulled wine is great for cool nights.
10. Manners in Camp, or How to Keep Your Friends
    1. Don’t leave you crap lying around. Restrict your sloppiness to your own tent.
    2. If you borrow something, put it back. If you get something dirty, wash it.
    3. Have a duty roster posted that everyone can refer to. Make sure everyone in camp is one board with their duties and knows how to do them.       
    4. Set behavioral boundaries
       1. Rough language and nudity are fine in some camps—not so much in others. Make sure everyone is aware of, and respectful of the needs of their camp mates.
       2. Noise. Loud parties are OK in some places and not in others. Be respectful of your campmates and your neighbors.
       3. It is uncool to flaunt mundane law.
       4. Sexual harassment is unforgivable under any circumstances. No mean no. Chemical rape, and this includes alcohol, is still rape.
       5. You are responsible for you own emotional well-being. Don’t take out your issues on others. Keep the drama to a minimum.
11. Have fun
    1. Don’t get so bogged down in camp duties or rules that you suck all the fun out of your vacation.
    2. Make sure you have time for yourself, to do exactly what you want to do.
    3. Don’t be pressured to participate in activities that you don’t enjoy. If you’d rather sleep than party, say so.