Reenactor Event Checklist

[DaveGink]

Has anyone created their own event check-list that they use? If so, how about posting it?

Below is mine. It's tailored for a Federal, Regular Army Cavalry Impression and of course what I use from the list varies depending on the type of event I am attending (So please, no ripping on the "mainstream" event stuff ). Since I like multiple styles of reenacting, I created the list to incorporate all of it. Yet I am still going as authentic as possible with my core impression, so that when I do authentic campaign style events I am good-to-go. Also, I do not yet own everything on the list, so it's also a nice guide to see what I still need.

Anyway, let me know if you see anything I missed.


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EVENT CHECK-LIST

BEFORE LEAVING:

___Turned off Appliances
___Closed Windows
___Cats have plenty of food/water and clean litter
___Notified Landlord of where I'll be - left cell phone number

MODERN ITEMS/HIDDEN FROM VIEW OR LEFT IN CAR:

___Cell Phone
___Medications
___Glasses
___Contact Cleaner/Supplies
___Wallet
___Keys
___Emergency Flashlight
___Set of Civilian clothes
___Bug Spray
___First Aid Kit/Band-aids/Blister Pads
___Tooth paste
___Shoe pads
___Drivers License
___Insurance and Emergency Info
___Check Book


UNIFORM/CLOTHING:

___Mounted Service Jacket
___Sack Coat
___Trousers
___Shirt(s)
___Socks
___Forage Cap
___Slouch hat
___Gauntlets
___Great Coat
___Vest
___Drawers
___Shoes/boots
___Suspenders


UNIFORM MISC:

___Rubberized Poncho
___Shoulder Scales
___Hardee Hat
___Dress Gloves
___Spurs


WEAPONS & WEAPON SUPPLIES:

___Carbine
___Revolver
___Saber
___Powder
___Caps
___Cartridge Paper
___Cream of Wheat
___Bore Butter
___Powder Flask
___Nipple Pick
___Gun Cleaning Equipment


UNIFORM ACCOUTREMENTS

___Saber Belt
___Holster
___Cap Box
___Carbine Box
___Carbine Sling
___Canteen
___Tin Cup
___Haversack


PERSONAL ITEMS (PERIOD):

___Wallet
___Cards/Dice/Checkers
___Bible
___Comb
___Mirror
___Shaving Equipment
___Tooth Brush
___Medicine Containers
___House Wife/Sewing Kit
___handkerchiefs
___Journal
___Period Glasses (back-up to contacts)
___Pocket Watch
___Hard Candy

CAMP EQUIPMENT:

___Mucket
___Plate
___Fork/Knife/Spoon
___Gum Blanket
___Blankets
___Mattress bag
___Pillow Tick bag
___Small draw-string Tick bags
___Lantern
___Candles
___Matches
___Sheet Metal Skillet
___Small fry Pan
___Spatula
___Dipper
___Cooking Fork
___Folding Table
___Folding Chair
___Camp Box
___Wicker basket
___Hatchet
___Wood Cot
___Hidden Cooler with Period Cover


TENTING EQUIPMENT
___Shelter half
___A-frame
___Poles
___Ropes
___Tent Stakes


HORSE EQUIPAGE:
___Saddle
___Bridle
___Halter
___Crupper
___Surcingle
___Saddle Blanket
___Saddle Bags
___Curry Comb, Brush, Hoofpick, and Spare Horseshoes
___Nose Bag
___Picket Pin and Rope
___Feed


FOOD/DRINK:
(open per event)

[Rob]

All of my gear resides in two closets, and, except for perishables, will be packed and ready days in advance.

After it's loaded in the car, a quick look around tells me whether or not anything got left out.

[Rob Weaver]

That's great - I do my list in my head, and most of the time I wear my clothing to the event. That's the easiest way to remember it. I forgot my shoes once and remembered them 2 hours down the road. First thing I did when I got there: new shoes. Ate up all my mad money!

[GrumpyDave]

There's something you need to add and, I'm not sure how to put it in words. Let's try this. Make sure you've read all of the event information and are familiar with the goals of the event before you arive. Don't rely on someone elses' word, make the effort to do it yourself. It amazes me sometimes how little attention folks pay to any communication put out by event organizers. They can't find registration, they didn' tknow they needed a cloth canteen strap, they didn't know who they were supposed to see upon arrival after check-in, they didn't know it was a flat haversack event or they were supposed to bring their own rations, and on and on. I was at an event where two folks said theydidn't know they had to carry all of their stuff and walk 5 miles on Saturday, after they had arrived in the Friday night camp 3 miles from their cars. And, from that, "Winnebago" was born.

Oh, add; Make sure my musket is clean, has all of it's parts, and is functional before I leave the house. Just thought of that one.

That list would be helpful for a newbie for sure. Different events, though, require different lists. You only learn how to modify your list after you've attended an event or ten.

[bill watson]

And remember to pack a good attitude.

[DaveGink]

And remember to pack a good attitude.

One of the most important items.

[DaveGink]

There's something you need to add and, I'm not sure how to put it in words. Let's try this. Make sure you've read all of the event information and are familiar with the goals of the event before you arive. Don't rely on someone elses' word, make the effort to do it yourself. It amazes me sometimes how little attention folks pay to any communication put out by event organizers. They can't find registration, they didn' tknow they needed a cloth canteen strap, they didn't know who they were supposed to see upon arrival after check-in, they didn't know it was a flat haversack event or they were supposed to bring their own rations, and on and on. I was at an event where two folks said theydidn't know they had to carry all of their stuff and walk 5 miles on Saturday, after they had arrived in the Friday night camp 3 miles from their cars. And, from that, "Winnebago" was born.

Oh, add; Make sure my musket is clean, has all of it's parts, and is functional before I leave the house. Just thought of that one.

That list would be helpful for a newbie for sure. Different events, though, require different lists. You only learn how to modify your list after you've attended an event or ten.

Excellent points.

I've added: "Review Event Guidelines" and "Check Weapons" to my 'BEFORE LEAVING section

[AZReenactor]

For early war 1st California Infantry events my list is pretty consistent and dictated by orders with a few added personal items.

Knapsack containing:
greatcoat; blanket; forage cap; extra woolen shirt; extra pair of drawers; extra pair stockings; towel; handkerchief; two combs (one fine and one course); housewife with needles, pins, thread, buttons, cloth, scissors, beeswax, and nail scraper/ear spoon; soap; toothbrush; pencil & stationary; reading material/sanitary paper; night cap; oil cloth scrap; twine or string; and extra 20 rounds of cartridges in bundles with caps.

A traveling wallet packed with the items I will wear or carry in my pockets:
jackknife; billfold with period currency; handkerchief; poke bag containing medicines, insurance card, emergency contact info, modern money, credit card, car key, and ID; drawers; trousers; woolen shirt; stockings; brogans; blouse; and cravat, neckerchief or leather stock.

My haversack packed with:
plate; knife; fork; spoon; tin cup; tinder box with flint, steel, & tinder; vinegar bottle; rag; poke sacks; and rations (if they are not being issued).

I also take my musket; bayonet and scabbard; cartridge box with cartridges, tampion, musket wrench, patches, and spare nipple; waist belt; cap box with caps and nipple pick; belt knife; canteen; 1858 uniform hat

For later war or garrison events my load may also contain:
gum blanket; shelter half; rope; tent pins; tin can for cooking; button board; boot black; clothes brush; hair tonic; uniform coat; woolen gloves; domino set; dice; cards; mattress tick; private purchase shirt; shaving kit; or slouch hat.

Of course there are very different lists if I'm portraying confederate or cavalry. There is also a totally separate list for horse tack and such.

[GrumpyDave]

"Bring a good attitude"

That's the first thing I put in the car, right after the rain gear.

[DaveGink]

For early war 1st California Infantry events my list is pretty consistent and dictated by orders with a few added personal items.

Knapsack containing:
greatcoat; blanket; forage cap; extra woolen shirt; extra pair of drawers; extra pair stockings; towel; handkerchief; two combs (one fine and one course); housewife with needles, pins, thread, buttons, cloth, scissors, beeswax, and nail scraper/ear spoon; soap; toothbrush; pencil & stationary; reading material/sanitary paper; night cap; oil cloth scrap; twine or string; and extra 20 rounds of cartridges in bundles with caps.

A traveling wallet packed with the items I will wear or carry in my pockets:
jackknife; billfold with period currency; handkerchief; poke bag containing medicines, insurance card, emergency contact info, modern money, credit card, car key, and ID; drawers; trousers; woolen shirt; stockings; brogans; blouse; and cravat, neckerchief or leather stock.

My haversack packed with:
plate; knife; fork; spoon; tin cup; tinder box with flint, steel, & tinder; vinegar bottle; rag; poke sacks; and rations (if they are not being issued).

I also take my musket; bayonet and scabbard; cartridge box with cartridges, tampion, musket wrench, patches, and spare nipple; waist belt; cap box with caps and nipple pick; belt knife; canteen; 1858 uniform hat

For later war or garrison events my load may also contain:
gum blanket; shelter half; rope; tent pins; tin can for cooking; button board; boot black; clothes brush; hair tonic; uniform coat; woolen gloves; domino set; dice; cards; mattress tick; private purchase shirt; shaving kit; or slouch hat.

Of course there are very different lists if I'm portraying confederate or cavalry. There is also a totally separate list for horse tack and such.

Ahhh...you actually reminded me of a couple things I missed.

By the way, what reading material do you use for "sanitary paper".