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With the planning and soon execution of our Spring Wagon Escort this May, we have put a great deal of effort into making a quality campaign experience for those who plan to brave the distance and head to the wild frontier of Wyoming. This year's event has focused around the following details of a "campaign":
1. Covering enough distance to actually be called a Campaign: 10 miles?: I learned during our 2015 escapade (See AAR Here) that even fellow authentic campaigners cannot cover the original distances discussed in period manuals. Therefore, we have significantly shrunk the mileage to only 10 miles per day for infantry, cavalry and the wagons.
2. Having a mission with some perceived threat (even though we don't expect any enemy encounters, the possibility HAS to be there in order to give the guys meaning in the suffering they withstand): My experience has shown me that people need a "why", a reason for why they are freezing to death and suffering on a perfectly good weekend off. Not offering a "back story", threat of enemy hostilities, etc will not create the sense of importance and commodore that we enjoy when that "threat" is ever-present.
3. Drinking water from the creeks and streams: I feel this little gem is something that has been lost in many reenactments. We use the water purification tablets most of the time which disinfects the water but still leaves the dirt, chunks, moss, and overall "earthy" flavor that the original guys experienced every day. There is a hole host of tips and tricks from drinking from streams that have been lost due to relying on the ridiculous semitrailer "water buffalo" so conspicuously parked in camp.
4. Manual Labor/Details: Thankfully, many of the EFUBU events add this detail into our events. But, never the less, I feel it is required.
5. Formal Picket Duty: Again, this is something found at EFUBU but is not really done appropriately almost anywhere else (that I've been).
So, my question to you all is what makes a good quality campaign event for you guys? Not garrison, not battles, just a simple campaign event that covers some country.
I am honestly curious what would attract you to an event. And at the same time, what would go too far to discourage you from attending (too authentic!! NAH, may it never be!!).
What say you guys?
1. Covering enough distance to actually be called a Campaign: 10 miles?: I learned during our 2015 escapade (See AAR Here) that even fellow authentic campaigners cannot cover the original distances discussed in period manuals. Therefore, we have significantly shrunk the mileage to only 10 miles per day for infantry, cavalry and the wagons.
2. Having a mission with some perceived threat (even though we don't expect any enemy encounters, the possibility HAS to be there in order to give the guys meaning in the suffering they withstand): My experience has shown me that people need a "why", a reason for why they are freezing to death and suffering on a perfectly good weekend off. Not offering a "back story", threat of enemy hostilities, etc will not create the sense of importance and commodore that we enjoy when that "threat" is ever-present.
3. Drinking water from the creeks and streams: I feel this little gem is something that has been lost in many reenactments. We use the water purification tablets most of the time which disinfects the water but still leaves the dirt, chunks, moss, and overall "earthy" flavor that the original guys experienced every day. There is a hole host of tips and tricks from drinking from streams that have been lost due to relying on the ridiculous semitrailer "water buffalo" so conspicuously parked in camp.
4. Manual Labor/Details: Thankfully, many of the EFUBU events add this detail into our events. But, never the less, I feel it is required.
5. Formal Picket Duty: Again, this is something found at EFUBU but is not really done appropriately almost anywhere else (that I've been).
So, my question to you all is what makes a good quality campaign event for you guys? Not garrison, not battles, just a simple campaign event that covers some country.
I am honestly curious what would attract you to an event. And at the same time, what would go too far to discourage you from attending (too authentic!! NAH, may it never be!!).
What say you guys?