Camp is considered "open" from 9:00 a.m. Sat until break-down Sunday. All modern gear should be put away, either in your tent or car, and left there until break down. This may be extended back to Friday night if we are all arriving then.

Unload thy stuff, then move your vehicle as quickly as possible. Nothing is worse than a great period camp, where everything is perfect, except somebody forgot to move their car. Ruins the whole atmosphere.

Cars may not be in camp overnight Friday, or whenever camp is "open". See above. 

Less is More. Can you prove a soldier carried that item? That wood stove sure would be nice, but can you carry it? You should be able to say that a Soldier in the 18th Century carried with HIM whatever you have visible in camp or on your person when camp is open. If in any doubt, ask the Sgt., he'll politely tell ya to lose the item.

"It looks old" is not acceptable documentation. Original items, paintings, written descriptions, sketches, or some form of documentation must be used to show that the item you would like to bring with you - 1. existed in the later half of the 18th Century in the Southern Colonies, and   2.would have been carried by the person you represent. Slat chairs, for example, look great, and look like an old design. HOWEVER they were invented in the 1920's, and would be too heavy to carry on your back. 

The Common soldier, or civilians with the army did NOT have access to baggage wagons. The wagons were to carry tents, food supplies for the army, officer's personal baggage, even forage for the horses, but not soldiers gear, or anything for the civilians. If you got lucky and found something really neat, you would be forces to leave it behind if you could not carry it along with your normal gear load.

Poor vision? Period eyeglasses or contacts must be worn. Adults either wear contacts, or we recommend Otter frames from Colonial Williamsburg. The style of the time was round lenses (no technology yet for oval grinding) Townsend also makes a set of frames that will work, if the finish is removed. Almost anywhere, including Wal-Mart, will do lenses for these frames. Exceptions will be allowed for children, but AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, get a set of round wire frames that fit the child, or as close to round as possible.

Wearing modern shoes as a temporary measure? Keep them covered! As soon as possible, get your 18th century shoes- they are not that expensive. Until then black low-quarters may be worn as a temporary solution, BUT MUST BE KEPT COVERED by gaiters or half-gaiters. Again, Exceptions will be allowed for children, as feet are still growing, but put them in non-shiny,  low black shoes, which can be had at a thrift-house for not much. 

Facial hair limited to a 3-4 day growth. It does grow back, I promise. The time period of the American Revolution is no different than today, in that fashion ruled dress. At that time, fashion dictated that men be clean shaven, even while on campaign. Numerous orders are issued for the men to be kept neat, and paintings of the time reflect that clean shaven look as well. Usually twice a week is normal for shaving. Some ethnicities, such as Germans, may have sported moustaches, but beards are hardly seen, and odd enough to be remarked upon in some diaries & journals. Army regulation would override your ethnic reason for a moustache, so even Germans in the British Army shaved. 

No Fire Irons- Use a substitute- Wood, or a key-hole type fire. As of now, there still have not been any original fire-iron sets dug up, or discovered hidden away in a museum. If you locate a set, that can be dated to the American Revolution, and not the American Civil War, please let us know.  We still would not be able to use them, though, because they are IRON, and too heavy to carry on the march... Much easier to cut some wood when the army arrives than carry iron for the same purpose.

Absolutely No Lantern Stands. See Fire Irons above... still have not had ONE dug up, or discovered, they are IRON, and you did not have a lantern more than likely anyway. They look good, but did not exist.

Cooking is to be done in period fashion, and limited to period foods. Most foods are boiled in the late 18th century- they thought it healthier for you. The soldiers did roast or broil some meats; we know this from many orders telling the troops to stop doing so! No can do on the fried chicken or pizza though.

No camp furniture, unless in Garrison.. There were some items made by soldiers for comfort when they stayed a long time at any given place, from benches to stools and tables. Plans can be had to make copies of these items, but they can only be used in situations that THEY would have used them in., which are pretty infrequently.

Musket is to be kept bright & clean, same for bayonet... Many orders are issued on polishing, and from experience, we know that the guns can rust overnight. This rule is really to stop folks from bluing (did not exist yet) or browning (against military rules) their gun, as we know they were supposed to be "bright"

No cigarettes. Smoke a pipe... Pipes were common among soldiers. Cigars may have been smoked here in the south to a small extent, obtained by trade with the Spanish. Cigarette were very rare, hand rolled, and effeminate. Avoid cigarettes in your impression. If you crave tobacco, smoke a period pipe, or leave the camp area for a private place to have a cigarette.