Imparting a glimpse of the past to the Public as well as other event participants is as important as learning historic skills. To that end, the School of the Ranger is asking participants to adhere to the following Clothing and Accoutrement Guidelines:
For 2022 we are asking participants to portray a Maryland Provincial Ranger or Frederick county Militia member. Click the preceding links for picture book guidelines.
Provincial Uniformed or other portrayals relevant to Fort Frederick during this era may also be permitted. Please inquire via email when you request a packet.
Additional Equipment Concerns
Appropriate winter caps & mittens not listed in the picture books are welcome.
36-60 Blank Cartridges are required. Detailed instructions will be provided.
Fork, Spoon & Cup are the required minimum. A plate and / or bowl are recommended. A Kettle and pan per mess are recommended and should be coordinated by mess mates prior to arrival.
3 unscented candles required. A Metal lantern per 4 man mess group will be issued. A mini flashlight is permissible for emergency use only.
Fire Starting Kit is required..
Period Food Items are required. Instructions will be provided. Minimize modern packaging please.
A second Blanket & ticking bed-sack to stuff with straw recommended.
Housewife or Sewing kit is recommended.
Ice Creepers or Wool Over-socks are strongly recommended if icy conditions exist.
18th C Comfort Items, Games, & Entertainments are recommended & Very appreciated
Toilet Tissue is recommended.
3 Gallons of Water may be required. In the past water lines have frozen necessitating this. Modern containers are acceptable and will be hidden should this become necessary.
Alcohol: Responsible alcohol use will be restricted to the evening social time after training is complete and arms are secured for the night. Excessive impairment or consumption during training hours will result in removal from the event for obvious safety reasons.
Prescriptions, medical conditions & special accommodations. The School of the Ranger strives to be as inclusive as possible, but there is an inherent physicality required to safely train in ranging across varied terrain in winter conditions, wearing 18th C kit, and while encumbered. The exercises are designed for the average adult but participants should expect to get cold, wet hungry and fatigued. Participants should be fit enough to hike a few miles at a time with their equipment and safely use their firelocks Prescriptions and medical conditions should not be a problem provided they don’t preclude safe participation. If you have any questions in this regard please contact us prior to registering. We want to avoid the necessity of removing someone from training for safety reasons, or holding team exercises back as a whole, when issues can be addressed via early communication & prescreening.
Personal phones, cigarettes, etc We understand the challenges involved in disconnecting from modern life that make complete “authenticity” impossible. However, we expect participants to assist us in minimizing anachronism by keeping small modern necessities tucked away and silent. We ask that participants refrain from nonemergency telephone and cigarette use during structured group activities and step “out of sight” before partaking. Please note that some team exercises may be 2 to 3 hours in length, necessitating participants refrain to avoid disrupting the simulations.
Photography. Similarly, participants are asked to refrain from photography during scheduled training exercises. Multiple SOTR staff members will be discretely photographing every aspect of the event. In addition, participants will have the opportunity for ample candid shots during the numerous unstructured and “break” segments built into the schedule. A group photo will be taken for everyone as well, and all photos will be posted to the Participant Forum for easy downloading post event.
Grooming: Facial hair beyond a few days growth in the 18th century was a rarity, we encourage participants to be clean shaven or have only a few days growth. We understand that participants have 21st Century lives, if you cannot part with your beard please consider trimming it to a shorter length.
Eyewear: Period eyewear or contacts are recommended. Modern eyewear is discouraged.
The School of the Ranger appreciates everyone’s compliance. We realize some of these stipulations may be inconvenient but material culture research continues to improve and so should our portrayals. It is impossible to have an all inclusive, F&I wide list of requirements without contradictions as issued items, standards and availability varied by geography and date. We are happy to assist with pattern or vendor recommendations. Some loaner items may be available. Please submit any questions or requests prior to registering to SOTRguidelines@schooloftheranger.com
Provincial Uniformed or other portrayals relevant to Fort Frederick during this era may also be permitted. Please inquire via email when you request a packet.
Additional Equipment Concerns
Appropriate winter caps & mittens not listed in the picture books are welcome.
36-60 Blank Cartridges are required. Detailed instructions will be provided.
Fork, Spoon & Cup are the required minimum. A plate and / or bowl are recommended. A Kettle and pan per mess are recommended and should be coordinated by mess mates prior to arrival.
3 unscented candles required. A Metal lantern per 4 man mess group will be issued. A mini flashlight is permissible for emergency use only.
Fire Starting Kit is required..
Period Food Items are required. Instructions will be provided. Minimize modern packaging please.
A second Blanket & ticking bed-sack to stuff with straw recommended.
Housewife or Sewing kit is recommended.
Ice Creepers or Wool Over-socks are strongly recommended if icy conditions exist.
18th C Comfort Items, Games, & Entertainments are recommended & Very appreciated
Toilet Tissue is recommended.
3 Gallons of Water may be required. In the past water lines have frozen necessitating this. Modern containers are acceptable and will be hidden should this become necessary.
Alcohol: Responsible alcohol use will be restricted to the evening social time after training is complete and arms are secured for the night. Excessive impairment or consumption during training hours will result in removal from the event for obvious safety reasons.
Prescriptions, medical conditions & special accommodations. The School of the Ranger strives to be as inclusive as possible, but there is an inherent physicality required to safely train in ranging across varied terrain in winter conditions, wearing 18th C kit, and while encumbered. The exercises are designed for the average adult but participants should expect to get cold, wet hungry and fatigued. Participants should be fit enough to hike a few miles at a time with their equipment and safely use their firelocks Prescriptions and medical conditions should not be a problem provided they don’t preclude safe participation. If you have any questions in this regard please contact us prior to registering. We want to avoid the necessity of removing someone from training for safety reasons, or holding team exercises back as a whole, when issues can be addressed via early communication & prescreening.
Personal phones, cigarettes, etc We understand the challenges involved in disconnecting from modern life that make complete “authenticity” impossible. However, we expect participants to assist us in minimizing anachronism by keeping small modern necessities tucked away and silent. We ask that participants refrain from nonemergency telephone and cigarette use during structured group activities and step “out of sight” before partaking. Please note that some team exercises may be 2 to 3 hours in length, necessitating participants refrain to avoid disrupting the simulations.
Photography. Similarly, participants are asked to refrain from photography during scheduled training exercises. Multiple SOTR staff members will be discretely photographing every aspect of the event. In addition, participants will have the opportunity for ample candid shots during the numerous unstructured and “break” segments built into the schedule. A group photo will be taken for everyone as well, and all photos will be posted to the Participant Forum for easy downloading post event.
Grooming: Facial hair beyond a few days growth in the 18th century was a rarity, we encourage participants to be clean shaven or have only a few days growth. We understand that participants have 21st Century lives, if you cannot part with your beard please consider trimming it to a shorter length.
Eyewear: Period eyewear or contacts are recommended. Modern eyewear is discouraged.
The School of the Ranger appreciates everyone’s compliance. We realize some of these stipulations may be inconvenient but material culture research continues to improve and so should our portrayals. It is impossible to have an all inclusive, F&I wide list of requirements without contradictions as issued items, standards and availability varied by geography and date. We are happy to assist with pattern or vendor recommendations. Some loaner items may be available. Please submit any questions or requests prior to registering to SOTRguidelines@schooloftheranger.com