Getting Started in Reenactment

[Jishnu]

I have been interested in reenacting for a long time, but I was never sure how to get involved with it. A few weeks ago however, I talked to some people that were able to point me in the right direction.

I have talked to some American Civil War reenactment leaders and am going to be going to an event in early May just to check it out.

I have also talked to a guy that does French and Indian War (or Seven Years War for you EU gents) reenactments and leads a company of French Marines. He has an event in early June that I am going to check out.

They both told me not to worry about equipment or anything and that they will both supply me with equipment for a while until I decide if I enjoy reenacting.

What should I know before I go or what should I do to prepare?

[DeoVindice61]

Awesome to have more reenactors!

Anyway, what these guys said to you, pretty much cover everything. You just gotta show up to a event, check the unit out and how reenacting works out for you. If you like it, they will have more advice to tell you to start. All you gotta do is just to check it out.

Altough I can say most common advice is, when you are interested, get a canteen first. Sounds lame but its realllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllly handy and helpful. 

[Jishnu]

Awesome to have more reenactors!

Anyway, what these guys said to you, pretty much cover everything. You just gotta show up to a event, check the unit out and how reenacting works out for you. If you like it, they will have more advice to tell you to start. All you gotta do is just to check it out.

Altough I can say most common advice is, when you are interested, get a canteen first. Sounds lame but its realllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllly handy and helpful.

Lol, I will be sure to make that my first item to get. I'm sure it will be quite useful in the blistering Summer sun. Hopefully it won't be too warm in May or June, but god knows I've spent too much damn time on my PC avoiding the magical place called outside lately. 

[Jocam]

I would love re-enecting myself, the only two barriers for me are time (which I would barely have for it) and the language (I just detest dutch)

[Duuring]

You are from Groningen... Where they speak Dutch...

[munky-wunky]

were are you from?

[Jishnu]

were are you from?

I live on the Illinois side of the Mississippi right next to St. Louis.

[DeoVindice61]

were are you from?

I live on the Illinois side of the Mississippi right next to St. Louis.

Illinois? Say mate, Im from Illinois too. I am currently in 10th Illinois.

[Jishnu]

were are you from?

I live on the Illinois side of the Mississippi right next to St. Louis.

Illinois? Say mate, Im from Illinois too. I am currently in 10th Illinois.

Where in Illinois are they based out of? The group I have been talking to are located in St. Louis.

[DeoVindice61]

Probably too far for you but we're based in Chicagoland-Suburbs like Aurora, Joliet, Naperville, Elgin.

[Jishnu]

Probably too far for you but we're based in Chicagoland-Suburbs like Aurora, Joliet, Naperville, Elgin.

Lol yeah. The only ones I found in Illinois were in Northern Illinois and maybe as far south as Springfield.
There isn't anything or anyone in Southern Illinois. 

[Landrik]

Just like any camping trip, make sure you've got the travel money and be able to dish out money for food since your group may or may not provide grub. Bring extra socks and underwear, hunny!

But for real, even if the forecast says hot or cold, be prepared for both. I've had those times where I wasn't prepared and was completely fucking miserable trying to sleep through the night. Get some bugspray n shit for when you're going to sleep at night.

But yeah, have fun and make the most of the money you put into it! A lot of the fun of reenactments is the anticipation and just hanging out with your buddies you make. It takes a special sort of weirdo to dress up in wool in 100 degree weather to shoot imaginary bullets at other weirdos.

[Jishnu]

just hanging out with your buddies

I might make friends?! It would be so nice to have actual friends.

[Jocam]

You are from Groningen... Where they speak Dutch...

does that automatically mean that I love the language?

[Duuring]

It means you speak it. Saying you don't want to re-enact because you hate your native language is kinda...weird.