Sorcia's Packing List

When preparing for Events, one often finds one tends to forget many things. In an attempt to reduce the amount of "Aw Shit" occurances at any event, Sorcia was wise enough to post the following on the Wolfpack web board:

Sorcia’s Simple Camping Guide

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Spring is on its way and that means the event season is getting close. This guide is a basic approach to camping at a Belegarth event. Disclaimer: This guide is not definitive and “common sense supersedes all loopholes”.

I. Before the event.

Make sure you ask for time off work before the event. A month is good and make sure to remind your boss a couple of weeks before the event. Get directions to the event. The organizers will usually give you directions but it’s usually a good idea to have a map of the area anyway. Take some time to plan out your route either on your phone or your car's GPS. A backup could be a simple atlas of the U.S. ($5.00 at Walmart) can help you find a different route at the last minute.

Under 18? You will have to bring a notarized waiver with you to check-in. Your parents have to sign the event waiver in front of a notary so the organizers of the event know your parent(s) actually signed it. Notaries are found at banks, law offices, city halls, currency exchanges, and sometimes even libraries. If there is a fee, it’s typically no more than $5.00. You also need to have a chaperone if you come without a parent. Chaperones have to be over 18 or over 21 depending on the event. It is important that your parents know and trust your chaperone. If your parents are so inclined, they can grant temporary medical authority so your chaperone can seek medical treatment for you. As this varies from state to state, you need to contact a lawyer or medical professional to find out what’s needed. You need to show up at the event with your chaperone and they have to be onsite while you are. If they leave, you leave. If you are expelled from the event, they will need to leave with you.

Supplies

Here’s part of the list of stuff veterans usually bring to events and they can be separated into six different categories:

• To sleep in and support camping:
  • Tent (check that all of its parts are there before you leave home)
  • Tent stakes (sturdy, 8” or longer)
  • Mallet
  • Tarp (big enough to go under or over your entire tent)
  • Flashlight
  • Batteries
  • Ninja chair (it sucks when you have to sit on the ground in the rain)
  • Hatchet or ax
  • Multi-tool or knife
  • Plastic boxes to store your stuff in so it doesn't get wet

• To sleep on:
  • Sleeping bag (appropriate for the weather)
  • Air mattress and air pump (should you desire comfort) or cot
  • Pillow

• To be clean and healthy:
  • Towel (even if showering isn’t an option) (refer to The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy)
  • Prescription medications (keep in original packaging)
  • Baby wipes (trust me, they can even strip paint…yes, I’ve tried.)
  • Toilet paper
  • Paper towels
  • Toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, women’s needs, contacts, etc.)
  • Sunscreen (SPF 30 or better)
  • Bug spray (trust me, ticks suck…literally)
  • First aid kit (band-aids, Neosporin, pain killers, tweezers)

• To wear:
  • Mundane clothing
  • Garb (bring lots and lots of garb)
  • Socks (again bring lots and lots)
  • Underwear (if you’re into that sort of thing)
  • Cloak (always have a warm cloak, even in summer)
  • Sturdy shoes and boots
  • Pouch
  • Mundane jacket
  • Set of dry clothes in a bag in the car
  • Rain Poncho
  • Sewing Kit

• To sustain you:
  • Cooler with lots of ice
  • Cooking utensils (knife, pan, spoon, grill, fuel for grill)
  • Food (make sure you have plenty of snack foods with you just in case)
  • Feast gear (plate, utensils, bowl, napkins, mug or goblet)
  • Can opener (never go camping without a can opener)
  • Trash bags
  • WATER!!! (Bring enough for a gallon a day per person or at least a large jug to fill onsite)
  • Money
  • Cooking Fuel (charcoal, lighter fluid, camp lighter, propane)
  • Cigarettes if you smoke
  • If you vape, consider bringing disposable ones instead.
  • Cell phone
  • For the love of all that is holy, please bring your own booze. :)
  • Spare keys for your car that stay with a trusted friend at the event

• To fight with:
  • Weapons (check and make repairs before you leave and bring foam and tape for repairs)
  • Armor
  • Protective gear like kneepads, gloves, and cup

Weather is always a factor so you need to be prepared for anything from rain to heat to cold. Check the weather report for the area around the event a few days before you leave and pack appropriately.

Make sure someone in your group knows how to contact your family in case of emergency. If you need help on site find a marshal or an event coordinator. Some events have security that can assist you during the nighttime activities.

II. At the event

When you arrive, your first stop is Troll. This is check-in and also the information center. As soon as you pull up, park next to Troll and get out. You will need to sign a waiver and a sign-in sheet. If you haven’t pre-registered, you need to pay and then you will receive your event token. This token is your pass to the event and you need to keep it with you at all times. If you receive a parking pass, place it so it’s visible in your car.

There are three rules of ettiquette for cars. Don't honk your horn on site, don't blare loud music of any type and never park in a way that others can't move their cars. These all ruin the experience of the event and the general mood of people nearby.

Now you can drive into the campsite and set up. Find a spot that isn’t already reserved. Some events allow groups of ten who have pre-registered to reserve certain spots. If you’re unsure, ask someone at Troll or an event coordinator. Next, be sure the site you choose is on flat ground and not where rain water might collect. There is nothing worse than your tent becoming flooded when it rains. During warm summer events, it’s also good to camp in the shade so that your tent doesn’t become an oven. Finally, check for toilets and your distance to the fighting field. After you set up your tent, put on garb and start having fun.

Weapons Check. You must get every weapon checked prior to fighting at an event. Weapons check is usually held in the morning before fighting. Some shorter events require you to check only once and the longer events every other day. If in doubt, go to weapons check and ask. While there, watch your weapons get checked and retrieve all passed weapons immediately. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to find your weapons at the bottom of the pile. Only hang around weapons check if you are getting something checked or are helping the staff. Should a weapon fail, immediately ask why. Checkers see so many weapons that it gets really hard to remember why something failed. If you are an archer, you should get to weapons check early so your arrows can be checked. Arrows take so long that your help is greatly appreciated. Be aware that your bow also gets tested and arrive with it strung and ready to go. Weapon checkers will not string your bow. Keep archery equipment separated and be sure you put them in the right pile. Once weapons check is over, the most important thing to remember is DRINK WATER! If you’re dehydrated or don’t feel well you need to stop fighting and ask for help.

Marshals. Marshals are the referees of Belegarth. If they call you dead, don’t argue about it. Take the death and talk to them after the fight. Arguing can get you ejected from the field. Remember, you will be back up and fighting in only a few minutes. If you hear “HOLD!” called, immediately stop moving and drop down to a knee. Keep quiet and wait until the marshals give you instructions. Only call a hold if someone is injured or a safety hazard exists. Some examples are a weapon breaks and the person doesn’t realize it or you’ve been backed into an obstacle with no possibility of avoiding it safely. Don’t call holds if you lose a contact or a weapon flies out of your hand.

After fighting, the nighttime activities begin. There are feasts, gladiator pits, bonfires, and drinking. If you are under 21, we strongly urge you not to drink. If you do and you get out of hand, you can be asked to leave the event. For anyone who drinks, I recommend you do so in moderation and drink plenty of water before bed. It’s really difficult for most people to fight with a hangover. I encourage you to walk from camp to camp and meet as many people as possible. When you walk around be sure that you don't shine your flashlight right in the faces of anyone coming towards you. When you arrive at a camp, yell “Hail, camp!” If you don’t get an answer, hail again. If all is quiet, move on to another camp. If there seems to be a lot of activity in a camp you approach, they may not hear you hail. If this is the case, walk up to the fire and immediately make your presence known. When you approach the main fire, you generally don’t need to hail. If you make a fire in your own camp, make sure it’s completely contained within the fire ring or the fire pad. Don’t leave fires unattended. Firewood is sometimes available at the event but if it isn’t, you can always use deadfall. NEVER CUT DOWN LIVING TREES! If there is no usable wood on site, you can buy some from a store in town.

Feast. On the nights that feasts are prepared, I recommend you wear your nicest garb and come early. Bring your own plates, utensils, napkins, and cups as they are not always provided.

III. Pack up and go home

When you pack up, make sure to clean up your site and leave it like you found it. Take trash to the trash cans and put out any embers that may still be burning. Use the water from your coolers if needed. If you smoke, all your butts need to go in either the fire or the trash. Any left on the ground have to be picked up by the staff. When you get home, take any wet items out of the car immediately to prevent mold. Put away any leftover food, take a long shower and try to get some sleep.