[Sca-cooks] things they dont explain about Pennsic

[Elaine Koogler]

After about 24 years of camping at Pennsic, I can also recommend that 
you plan on leaving a dry change of clothing (one modern, one period if 
possible...but definitely one modern) in your vehicle. DO NOT assume 
that because it's packed in plastic in your encampment that it will stay 
dry...Murphy's Law is in full force here. It will develop a hole, manage 
to come "unzipped" or something...

Also be sure to take first aid stuff...peroxide, Neosporin, bandaids, an 
ace bandage or two...and one or more of those wonderful instant ice 
packs. Also don't forget bug repellant (personal and for the camp) and 
heavy-duty sun screen...and burn ointment.

Be sure you have your membership card or some other proof of membership, 
along with a picture ID...and have it out and with you when you approach 
the Troll...and, if you've pre-registered, your pre-reg information.

We always work on a packing list long before Pennsic, then check off 
each thing as we pack it. That helps keep us from forgetting stuff.

Kiri

Kirsten Houseknecht wrote:

>Things no one told me about Pennsic until I was there.....
>
>
>1. blocks of land are assigned to each group/household/clump of folks who
>want to camp together based on pre-registration ONLY.
>
>You can, in theory, show up at the day of Pennsic, pay at the door, and go
>find camp space.... BUT you will be in "singles camping" otherwise known as
>"wherever there is room".
>
>The big groups get square footage based only on the pre-registrations.....
>which means every person they take in that DIDN't pre reg to camp with them,
>is that much less space everyone has for elbow room.
>
>if a group takes you in after pre-reg, then be very nice to them, bring your
>smallest tent, and remember that you are taking footage from everyone else.
>
>A group did this for me my first year at Pennsic.... I had no idea what I
>was doing <sigh>
>
>2. WHY might you want to camp with a group?
>
>well they have the first pick of land, many of them have been getting the
>same spot for YEARS, and you are likely to have a better campsite.   other
>than that?  groups bring things like "dining hall tents" and SHOWERS and
>other little things that the entire group shares.  This is why you may be
>asked to pay a "group fee" on top of your Pennsic fee.  it helps pay for
>your hot showers, your extra tents, and in some groups. dinner (yes, some
>groups prepare a group dinner for everyone in the camp.)
>
>3.  Classes at Pennsic are often pre-reg.
>this means you sign up the day before or so at the sign up tent.  high
>demand classes can fill up within *minutes* of sign up opening.  sign up
>opens usually at some really inconvenient hour of the morning.  find out
>when sign up opens as soon as possible, and be prepared to get there RIGHT
>at opening if you want a high demand class.
>
>4. take a battery or wind up alarm clock.
>see number three above for why. also.. lines for the main showers and the
>laundry are usually shortest at  frightening hours of the AM.
>
>5. laundry
>there are something like two washers and dryers for *everyone* at Pennsic.
>Sane people drive into town and use the Laundromat there.  people without
>cars, and people who don't know any better, wait hours and hours for laundry
>in camp...... laundry is best done at about 430 in the am.
>
>this is why you want enough underwear and chemises that you do not have to
>do laundry very often.  outerwear can be ignored unless you spill really
>icky stuff on it.  (in period outer clothing was RARELY washed.... it was
>the chemises and undergarb that got washed often)
>
>Those portable camping laundry things? the ones that look like mini cement
>mixers or salad spinners? they are your FRIENDS.
>
>pack laundry supplies, or buy them early on at the camp store.  they run out
>by mid pre-war.
>
>see also "mud" number 9
>
>6. Drainage
>this is a myth.  there is no drainage at Pennsic.
>
>showers at the campsites must have long drainage ditches dug, and smart
>people also dig drainage ditches around their tents.  shower drainage often
>fills up after the third shower.. it can take all day to be absorbed into
>the ground.
>
>if it rains at Pennsic (if?) then the ground becomes saturated FAST! do not
>put any extra water into it (showers, laundry, whatever) unless you HAVE to.
>
>7. weather
>yes, have some.
>
>Pennsic weather ranges from 118 degrees in the shade to below freezing.  I
>have seen it do this in one week.
>
>THIS YEARS WEATHER:
>Assume it will pour rain, soaking all your clothes, and then turn cold.  as
>soon as you have gotten your warm socks dried out, it will turn hot.  It
>will stay hot, dry, and sunny until it is  time to pack, at which point it
>will rain.
>
>your tent will try to blow away, unless you stake it down for monsoons and
>tornados, at which point it will be dead calm, humid and muggy.
>
>8. clothes choices
>see number 5; laundry, and number 7: weather
>
>take lots of linen undergarments (coolest fabric out there, trust me) and
>lots of wool overgarments (warmest stuff out there, except for silk maybe)
>I suggest very light weight (summer weight) wool that can be layered.
>
>take at least one bog dress, or fabric that can be pinned around you for
>emergencies.
>
>pack a hat.  veils and hats are PERIOD and they can save your life from the
>worst heat stroke and sunburn.  take several "veils" that can be soaked with
>water.
>
>pack several pairs of socks in water proof bags!  you can survive a lot of
>weather if you have dry socks!  also pack at least one towel in a plastic
>bag.
>
>if you are allergic to wool (or whatever) you can still wear a wool outer
>tunic, or surcoat.  just line and cuff the sleeves and collar with a neutral
>fabric (silk? silk is good) and wear it OVER something tightly woven.  you
>never need to touch the wool.
>
>if you are worried about the kosher rule against mixing wool and linen, take
>a cotton or silk layer you can wear between any wool and linen, and pack
>them in separate trunks.
>
>all your clothing should be pre-washed! (you did pre wash your fabric before
>you made any clothing, right?)
>
>9. Mud
>Pennsic is famous for its mud.
>
>Pennsic mud is red.  it is an Iron Oxide compound (rust).  it STAINS,
>permanently, if not washed out properly.
>
>do NOT , ever, apply chlorine bleach to a Pennsic mud stain.  it will react
>chemically with the rust and you get a brownish grey stain that will never
>come out. (same thing with blood stains, by the by)  you want either
>Hydrogen Peroxide, or some other rust /blood stain remover.
>
>your best bet is to brush off the dry dirt, then rinse in cool clear water
>until it is almost all out, then rinse/wash in detergent and cool or warm
>water until no more comes out.  keep this up until you get it all out
>do not use hot water or put it in the dryer.. heat sets the color.
>
>If you take clothing to a dry cleaner make sure you tell them the muddy
>stuff is a rust stain, too.
>
>10. food storage and eating
>
>ice, lots of ice.  replace/add  ice frequently.  buy the best cooler you can
>get.  even if you do not plan on cooking store at least drinks in there....
>
>wash your hands.  not just the alcohol goo.. soap and water.
>
>use a light amount of bleach on the rinse water of your dishes. dry dishes
>thoroughly
>
>bring gateraid or similar drinks, and CUT THEM by half with water.
>
>freeze all meats solid before leaving home.  use them as they thaw out in
>the cooler.
>
>if the heat makes you lose your appetite, at least eat something salty and
>drink water. you MUST eat some salt in hot weather.  this does not have to
>be a lot, but some!
>
>
>
>
>
>land grab and pre reg <sigh>
>I never understood this until I WENT to Pennsic. (I have helped people to
>prep for Pennsic a lot longer than I have been going..)
>Kirsten Houseknecht
>Fabric Dragon
>kirsten at fabricdragon.com
>www.fabricdragon.com
>Philadelphia, PA     USA
>Trims, Amber, Jet, Jewelry, and more...
>
>I worry about you, wear a reflective sweater...
>
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>  
>

-- 
Learning is a lifetime journey…growing older merely adds experience to 
knowledge and wisdom to curiosity.
					-- C.E. Lawrence