How do you motivate others or improve the hobby?

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Avoiding Burnout

Dont worry Pard.

I dont think you will find Ryan or myself pounding cold ones around the fire anytime soon. If I am going to do any drinking at events I keep it period and in moderation...and well out of the view of the 1st Sgt.

:martini_s SKÅL :beer_yum:

[Clark Badgett]

Re: Avoiding Burnout

Had burnout 4 years ago, left and have finally returned. Enjoying doing all the catch up reading of research.

[Tom Ezell]

Re: The $1500 Federal Soldier

To vouch for Phil's list and numbers, here's a repeat, sort of a cross-post from the OTB, of a little survey that I did last fall in trying to figure out what it would cost to outfit a fresh fish from scratch. The lists are taken roughly from the WIG/AoP standards for TAG and Outpost 2000... a good, generic baseline that will get you in the gate for most any of the EBUFU events here in the MidSouth.

Vendors were selected for quality of goods, timeliness of service/delivery, and reasonable cost. And even a blind hog can find an acorn or two at places like Fall Creek...

==============================================
Western Confederate Impression

Item Source Cost

Antietam style slouch hat Clearwater Hat Co. $95.00
Jones pattern Type II Columbus Depot jacket Cotton City Tailors $195.00
homespun cotton civilian shirt The Homefront $85.00
Civilian pattern drawers C.J. Daley $55.00
Richmond Depot pattern Trowsers Cotton City Tailors $145.00
Cotton issue socks, 1 pr. Mickey Black $12.00
CS Atlanta pattern shoes Missouri Boot & Shoe $127.00
Braces Scott Lyndon $35.00

Subtotal: uniform $749.00

ArmiSport P1853 Enfield rifle-musket Fall Creek Sutler $410.00
Enfield bayonet Fall Creek Sutler $29.50
Musket combination tool Fall Creek Sutler $12.50
Wiper Fall Creek Sutler $9.95
Richmond pattern .58 caliber cartridge box C&D Jarnagin $95.00
linen cartridge box belt C&D Jarnagin $17.50
Richmond pattern shield front cap box C&D Jarnagin $49.95
Richmond pattern bayonet scabbard C&D Jarnagin $40.00
Waist belt, forked-tongue buckle C&D Jarnagin $33.95
CS-issue tin drum canteen C&D Jarnagin $34.95
CS-issue Alexander pattern haversack Andrew Martin $25.00
canteen half C&D Jarnagin $8.50
mess utensils C&D Jarnagin $15.50
tin cup C&D Jarnagin $15.95
English import blanket County Cloth $105.00
painted canvas ground cloth The Homefront $30.00
Isaac & Campbell pattern knapsack C&D Jarnagin $210.00


Subtotal: Equipment $1,143.25

Total for impression: $1,892.25


We also require our folks to be working on a typical Western Federal kit, to wit:

Federal Impression

Item Source Cost Increment over basic CS impression

M1858 pattern dress hat ("Hardee hat") TP&H Trading $95.00 $95.00
M1858 forage cap Dirty Billy's Hats $95.00 $95.00
Fatigue blouse C.J. Daley $180.00 $180.00
Contract issue domet flannel shirt C.J. Daley $115.00 $115.00
Civilian pattern drawers C.J. Daley $55.00
William Deering contract foot pattern trowsers Stony Brook Co. $147.50 $147.50
Cotton issue socks, 1 pr Mickey Black $12.00
Federal issue shoes Missouri Boot & Shoe $127.00
Braces Scott Lyndon $35.00

Subtotal: uniform $861.50 $547.50

Armisport P1853 Enfield rifle-musket Fall Creek Sutler $410.00
Enfield bayonet Fall Creek Sutler $29.50
Musket combination tool Fall Creek Sutler $12.50
Wiper Fall Creek Sutler $9.95
Pattern of 1861 .58 caliber cartridge box C&D Jarnagin $95.00
Cartridge box belt C&D Jarnagin $24.95
Cartridge box belt plate C&D Jarnagin $9.50 $9.50
Cartridge box plate C&D Jarnagin $9.50 $9.50
Shield front cap box C&D Jarnagin $49.95
2-rivet pattern bayonet scabbard C&D Jarnagin $40.00 $40.00
Waist belt C&D Jarnagin $24.95 $24.95
"Puppy paw" U.S. belt plate C&D Jarnagin $11.95 $11.95
M1858 (smoothside) pattern canteen C&D Jarnagin $44.95 $44.95
Issue haversack Haversack Depot $52.00 $52.00
canteen half C&D Jarnagin $8.50
mess utensils C&D Jarnagin $15.50
tin cup G&P Mercantile $21.95
Contract issue blanket Quartermaster Woolens $138.00 $138.00
gum blanket C&D Jarnagin $43.50 $43.50
shelter half Haversack Depot $90.00 $90.00
M1855 Knapsack Cedar Creek Supply $135.00 $135.00
Overcoat C&D Jarnagin $186.00 $186.00

Subtotal: Equipment $1,463.15 $785.35

Total for impression: $2,324.65 $1,332.85
==============================================

Loaner boxes are a key ingredient, as well as hopefully somebody in the group who can do some basic sewing for the new guys, or at least to populate the loaner box. Confederate Guard has a formal "sewing weekend" each year, as well as a support group to help him get outfitted in a good shirt, jacket, and pants. I'm pushing to get the same started off for our guys... every little bit helps.

Don't overlook the used gear market here, or the occasional acorn at Szabo's. Good stuff retains its value even in the secondhand market, so it's possible to save a little bit. Nor do you want to forget the power of barter...

Tom

[Michael Comer]

Re: The $1500 Federal Soldier

In the long run I think it's cheaper to buy the quality goods up front.

If you purchase a crappy shell jacket for $75 or so it's not going to last as long, you're going to be dissatisfied with it as soon as the excitement of a new piece of clothing wears off and you will either upgrade before the life of the crappy piece wears out or it will wear out faster than a good quality piece. Either way you will end up paying the same or more than if you had purchased quality in the beginning.

Plus, as mentioned before, the prices of the shoddy stuff keeps going up and up. A pair of sutler row brogans is just about as much as good quality stuff. Yeah, new guys need to take their time and get the good stuff. They will be much happier and, I think, will come out ahead dollar wise in the long run especially when resale value is factored in.

I use that resale thing a lot with my wife. "But honey, if I die unexpectedly you'll be able to get 75 or 80 percent of the purchase cost back which will help you and the kids get by." She doesn't really buy it but allows me to indulge my whims anyway - at least most of the time.

[Robert Braun]

Re: The $1500 Federal Soldier

This is a great post and it's really helped me out, but the total price may shock some people. Life as a high school/ college student is hard and getting a full kit may seem overwhelming.

Forgive my disagreement, Mr. Donavan, but my response is... BOSH!

Money is not the issue. I've seen several late-August "check in days" at area colleges, with sudents driving cars that I (for one) can't afford, unloading lap-tops (that easily run the requisite $1,500 - $1,700 for a reenactor kit) and their ton or two of essentials: divans, lamps, stereo systems, refrigerators, complete CD collections, 5.1 speaker systems for their TVs (!) clothes, clothes, clothes... it's hard to shed a tear for those "financially strapped" college-goers! With so much entertainment gear, one wonders when they will find the time to study!

As for high schoolers, in my experience far more high-schoolers are driving their own cars than ever before. That $$ has to come from somewhere. And with virtually every HS student attached to an email address... you get the idea.

I am in complete agreement that there is plenty out there to complete for every second of a high schooler's or college student's time. But based on my observations, money is not a significant roadblock.

Regards, Bob.

[NY Pvt]

Re: The $1500 Federal Soldier

Bob,
Yeah College kids and HS kids have a lot of stuff. But the key is who pays for it? I bet you most of the entering freshman have their laptops and other new entertainment things paid for by their parents. Since a lot of the stuff you mention like laptops and small fridges are almost necessities in college these days, I doubt that most parents won’t hand over even more money for this hobby to their son. Now this isn’t always the case. I am sure you can find someone who has loaded parents and will send their child two thousand dollars at their request, but don’t think that this is your average college student.

Then again the finical aspect can be just as tough for a family man with a wife, a couple young kids, a mortgage and a car loan or two.

[Robert Braun]

Re: The $1500 Federal Soldier

Well, Mr. Utter...

You may be right. I hope you are. But some reports from my college sophomore son indicate otherwise... those "dudes" (jeez, I HATE that word!) have $$ to burn. Wherever it's coming from, they HAVE it.

As for quality stuff and a reduced price, a properly motivated "college lad" could rather easily arm and equip himself from the postings in the WTS section of this Board, alone!

Dutchess Legion, eh? Pretty good regimental history and a neat monument on Culp's Hill at G-burg. I'm an old Ulster County boy myself...!

Kind regards, Bob.

[HOG.EYE.MAN]

Re: The $1500 Federal Soldier

Guys,

Don't forget about SPRING BREAK expenses!!! Admission to clubs, wet T-shirt contests etc.... :tounge_sm

I bought a bunch of Civil War stuff while I was in college.. I just figured out a budget plan...... and still had money to party.. ..

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: The $1500 Federal Soldier

I replaced all of my kit while I was in Highschool/college AFTER I had bought all my farby stuff. The idea of buying a sutler row item with the idea that you are going to replace it later with a quality item seems idiotic to me. Say you are going to buy a sutler row haversack for $60 rather than $80 for a good one, that means you spent $60 to save $20! Were is the logic in that? Save up and extra $20 mow a few more lawns drink a few less redbulls ect. and buy the good one. Cry only once!

[tomarch]

Re: Avoiding Burnout

Bob:

Tom

You know that I have been all sides and all periods.

What now!?

I know this is going to sound like damnable heresy, but since you're a fellow Californian, how about doing Gold Rush? Bill Dunniway knows of a small, good group of authentic Argonauts! Maybe even git yerself initiated into E Clampus Vitus!

Tom Smith
Elephant Temperance Society, ECV :D

[BHoover]

Re: Avoiding Burnout

Bill Dunniway knows of a small, good group of authentic Argonauts!

Is this the same Wm Dunniway the wet plate artist? If so, the image I use for an avatar is from an ambrotype struck by him when I was reenacting the Gold Rush at Columbia, CA several years ago!

[tomarch]

Re: Avoiding Burnout

Is this the same Wm Dunniway the wet plate artist? If so, the image I use for an avatar is from an ambrotype struck by him when I was reenacting the Gold Rush at Columbia, CA several years ago!

That is the very same gentleman! I saw your photo, and I also have seen a few other taken by Wm. of other argonauts as well. Do you do Gold Rush very often? Are you a Clamper?

I remain &ct, Tom Smith

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Avoiding Burnout

Bob:


I know this is going to sound like damnable heresy, but since you're a fellow Californian, how about doing Gold Rush? Bill Dunniway knows of a small, good group of authentic Argonauts! Maybe even git yerself initiated into E Clampus Vitus!

Tom Smith
Elephant Temperance Society, ECV :D

Tom...there is an image of me on this site doing gold rush :tounge_sm

Im not burned out on Civil War, I am buring out on WW2. However I am looking at the Civil War with a fresh enthusiasm and different takes and attitudes that I used to have. Right now I am trying to round out my AoT impression and then I am going to dig into civilian. Its amazing how so much of my stuff shrank in the closet :confused_

[JR Myzie]

Re: Avoiding Burnout

I found that if you're the right personality type, you could burnout doing just about anything. There was a time when I was a big farb that I thought it was necessary to go to as many events as possible and burn as much powder as I could. I was pretty burned out and was about to quit, when I joined the ranks of the p/c/h. But I've found that being over-committed to acquiring all the best gear, or trying to attend only the most authentic events, or working at being the paragon of NCO leadership can just as quickly lead to burnout. I've discovered personally that the best way to avoid burnout is to diversify your portfolio. If you're always the first-sergeant, try being a private for once. If you're always in the field, see what being on event staff is all about. Try a garrison event when you haven't seen a yard of canvas for years. I find that when you can enjoy any number of different jobs or experiences, and become good at them, you're less likely to over-commit yourself to a single one and burnout.

[Jimmayo]

Re: Avoiding Burnout

I agree with Jeffrey. I started this strange hobby in 1979. Since then I have seen lots of folks burn out and leave. I think variety and rationing will help the burnout problem. I started strictly CS and didn't attend every event that came along. Partly due to the responsiblites of being a parent. Since then I usually attend one or two medium to large battle events a year and then stick close to home for the rest of the time doing living histories. I have increased my impression to include US and also do Inf. and Artillery. Along the way I have made many friends and have been known to sit out the battle and chew the fat around the campfire. You can just burn so much powder that it gets old.

Having a laid back attitude concerning what others do also helps. If you can't stand the Sears & Robuck reenactors, stay away from those events. I have several other related hobbies that I also spend time at which helps keep reenacting fresh.

I guess it can be said that there can be too much of a good thing for some people.