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We hate to be the bearer of bad news but we, the primitive rendezvous community, are getting sloppy! There have been a lot of complaints at the last two rendezvous about people wearing non-period clothing and some real poor excuses for footwear. We all need to take some pride in the fact that we are re-creating one of the most exciting times in American history. Lets all try to be as accurate as possible. This re-creation includes adjusting your attitude. If you are looking to push the limits of what is acceptable, or just get by, we would rather you just stay home. Wrangler corduroy jeans with pockets and zippers and off colored jeans are not period correct. Lace-up work boots, tennis shoes, sandals, rubber soled Wellingtons and Birkenstocks don't cut it either! You have plenty of time to work on this. There are many kinds of period boots and shoes that cost no more than a pair of good moccasins. Non-period clothes and footwear will not be allowed. If you try wearing these on trader's row or on the shooting ranges, you will be sent back to your camp. It is your rendezvous and up to you to do things right to make this a quality event. If you can't or won't wear moccasins or period shoes, DON"T COME! If you have a medical need for non-period footwear please let us know so we can accommodate you. Wearing your logging boots because your feet can't tolerate moccasins is not the answer. There are many alternatives; in the worst case, even a pair of tennis shoes can be disguised as moccasins. At least this shows that you care enough for the spirit of the event to make the effort.
Another problem we have to deal with is the inconsiderate smokers who feel it is OK to stamp out there butts and let someone else pick them up. Cigarette Butts are trash! Pick up after yourself! We should all be chewing, smoking pipes or rolling our own and lighting them with flint and steel. If you do smoke tailor-mades, do it in your own camp. Throw the butts in your fire pit or put them in a butt can. If you smoke on trader's row, field dress them {strip the tobacco from the end} and put the butts in your pocket or pouch. Do not leave them for someone else to pick up. We are on a private ranch and we don't want the property to look like a big ashtray! This is going to be a rendezvous. Not a Disneyland version of what you think a rendezvous is. If horse manure and hell raising offend you, JUST STAY HOME. There is NO CURFEW. We will have a quiet end of camp but we do not plan on catering to crybabies. Police yourselves and check out your neighbors before setting up your camp. We have a large amount of events for people to compete in and a diverse seminar program. We have lots of kids games planned too. Please do not bring your kids to the games and expect the ladies to baby-sit for you. Help them out if you can. You will find that participating with your kids in their events could be some of the most fun you have all week. Parents, you need to remember that your children are your responsibility and you need to know where they are and what they are doing all the time. We are going to have an Indian camp for people who enjoy drumming. If you like to drum this is the place for you. You can drum all night if the mood strikes you. There will be no drumming in Horse Camp this year. Please keep all non- primitive items covered at all times or in your lodge or tent. Bring a bag to haul ice and to cover your water jug. There will be some burlap bags provided at registration, so pick one up on your way in. Beer bottles are not period so be sure to pour it in a cup. What goes on in your camp is your business but if you offend your neighbors hopefully they will let you know. We do not want to police this event with a large number of Dog Soldiers. Police yourselves! If you find someone breaking the rules and being offensive, tell them so and why, in a decent manner. After all, we want to keep the donnybrooks to a minimum. There should be room for all of us at this event. Our philosophy on rendezvous is, "It is not the people putting on the rendezvous that make it great; it is the people that come." If you like primitive rendezvous and you have your clothing, your camp and your attitude together, we hope to see you in Bear Valley in 2004. Water Moccasin (541) 755-5476 and Rotten (541) 567-0863 |