The tips tricks and advice for attending events are stolen from http://home1.gte.net/res031er/tips.htm and organized with my own comments added.

The longer you attend SCA events, the more stuff you accumulate. It never hurts to go through your gear and make repairs or replacements previous to events (always a favorite to remember after you arrive at an event what is ripped, broken, etc.). When choosing replacements, always remember newbies and the Gold Key when getting rid of old gear or garb.

TENTS

Bring a good source of light for night time (while still being considerate to your neighbors) in case you have to put up your tent (or someone else's) in the dark (which happens all the time!).

Have a comfortable place to sleep. That means a waterproof tent, and a comfy bed, preferably off the ground. It will make an enormous difference in how well you feel.

Period event-gear: sheepskin (it's warm and soft to sleep on, sit on, or even to drape around you).

If you've just purchased a new tent, practice putting it up *in the dark* before you take it to an event!

If you're buying a tent, the "sleeps five" ratings on the box are a joke. That rating presumes everyone is in a mummy-style sleeping bag with *no* extra gear. (Sleeps 6= 2 can comfortably live.)


PACKING
Non-period Rubbermaid tote bins (~18 gallon size are a good size to put a lot of stuff in, some duct tape makes sure they don't open during the ride, AND they're completely waterproof. Also, when filled with garb or non-breakables, double as seats and tables for the inside of the tent! (This is great advice- we used a rubbermaid foot locker at our last Pennsic to tote garb.)

Practice loading the vehicle a week before. This makes a *lot* of difference.

Make up a generic event packing list (There are some of these floating around that you can get copies of already). Check off everything as you pack it. It sure sucks to get all the way to the event and realize you left something at home! (Laminating this list or keeping it in a large enough ziploc is also helpful- but make sure you can still write on it!)

Make the tent the last thing packed, so it's the first things out. That way once you get on-site you can set up the tent and *then* unload everything else directly into it.

Always bring at *least* one more than you think you'll need: Prescription medicines, Sanitary napkins, Diapers, Dry socks & underwear (pack them in a ziploc bag), Matches or lighters, Stove fuel, Flashlight with fresh batteries, Drinking vessels. This advice really goes for anything and everything that's important-helmets, duct tape, etc.

Bring a pillow. Trying to sleep with your head propped up on a box, a pile of used clothes or armor etc., is the pits. (Even if it isn't a camping event, it never hurts to have comfortable passengers on a car trip!)

Always always have a set of DRY clothes (garb and driving clothes) in your car at Pennsic, do not touch these clothes till the last day!!!! Also keep an extra gallon jug of water in the car.


DRESSING YOURSELF AND OTHERS

Don't try to save money by using non-natural fabric. It is never ever worth it. Cotton is good, silk, linen and wool are more expensive but superior if you can afford them.

ALWAYS pre-wash your fabric in a realistic way (if you normally wash your clothes in hot water, don't pre-wash your fabric in cold, etc.)

Wool keeps you dry in most kinds of weather.

If you can't sew, make your first t-tunic two sizes too large. For some unknown reason these things always end up smaller than intended.

Wear something on your head- hat or veil. It's period to do so, it keeps you warm in cold or windy weather, and keeps your brain from broiling in summer- even cloudy days can cause a sunburn if you are out all day.

Don't make garb out of fabric labeled 'Dry Clean Only', sooner or later you'll get caught in a downpour!

OTHER ESSENTIALS TO CARRY

First Aid Kit in a water proof container and a list of what it contains- not what it is supposed to contain. Always restock before an event.

Multi sized safety pins.

A pocket package of tissues. Good for sniffly noses, they're even better if you find (too late) that the toilet facilities are out of paper. They are also a good padding/compress material for a cut. For camping events, bringing your own hand sanitizer is a wonderful idea.

Rope, string or twine (lucet cord is also a timeless favorite) for tying down tent parts, tying together garb or armor, for sword lanyards, and a million other jobs.
Bring clean pieces of cloth (different sizes, especially cotton or linen) for just about anything including makeshift veils, bandanas for sweaty fighters, packing, bandages, patching clothing, makeshift belts, blowing your nose and making torches. Extra rope and cloth will be the two things you bring to an outdoor event that you'll learn very quickly to appreciate.

An alternative to matches: A block of magnesium (metal) with a flint embedded in one side. You scrape shavings off with a knife onto your kindling, and then scrape the flint with your knife (aiming at the magnesium shavings) to ignite. With this, I never worry about wet matches or spent lighters. I got mine at Wal-Mart (in the camping section) for 3 bucks; they're available at many other places also. Mine is made as a key fob, so it's never forgotten. (If you choose this alternative, make sure you know how to use it before you leave for the event!)

Most interesting advice, especially for court: Some "stocking stuffer" toys and games, easily findable at toy, science, dollar stores rarely degrade and can be just what is needed to keep a cranky child from driving you crazy (make sure it is big enough not to choke on)- and since they're cheap, you won't mind losing it if the child forgets to return it. Rarely have I seen the parent who has disliked my offer of a distraction. (I have personally found a brightly colored laminated bookmark in church given to young noisy children does wonders!)

LIVING ADVICE: CULTURE OF THE SCA

Know the difference between gossip and politics, and when to keep your own counsel.

Find something to do while you are sitting- a piece of needlework, a new chainmail coif you're working on or whatever. Not only will you get something done, you'll have something to talk about with people you may not know.

Don't believe everything you're told-research it, but remember books are sometimes out of date with new research. Ask for sources when having a conversation so you can learn more on your own- and you'll be more interesting to talk to when you meet this person again! If you have decided on a time frame/culture for your persona, do the reading to learn about it, and look at period paintings/sculptures/descriptions to learn about armor, clothing, etc. NEVER EVER believe you know it all or know the best when it comes to a topic. There is always someone who thinks they know more than you do- whether or not they do.

Don't expect to be entertained. You are not *watching* a play, you're taking part in one. Have fun interacting with people and trying new things
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Remember it is only a game, it is not real, you do this for fun and personal enrichment. If it gets to a point where it is continuously not fun then it is time to re-evaluate the place SCA is taking in your life and possibly approach it from a different angle.

Remember at all times that this activity is *your* free time, and that it is supposed to be *fun*. Awards, offices, victories -- all of these are nice, but what keeps people in the SCA is our friends and the good times we share together.

When you hear a herald call "Pray attend!", stop and LISTEN! They may be announcing that it's *your* tent that's on fire.

Courtesy and charity never wear out.