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Civil War Interactive Discussion Board > Reenacting and Living History > Other General reenacting & LH talk > How to get involved? |
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Civil War Interactive Discussion Board > Reenacting and Living History > Other General reenacting & LH talk > How to get involved? |
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| How to get involved? | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Thu Mar 26th, 2009 02:00 pm |
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1st Post |
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Rebels Mom Member
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My soon to be 9 year old son is a Civil War enthusiast. He wants to do reenactments but I don't know how to get him involved. Do any of you have any advice on how to get this started? We live in NE Oklahoma but will travel. Thanks in advance for your advice.
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| Posted: Thu Mar 26th, 2009 02:47 pm |
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2nd Post |
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buzzard Member 
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There is a great website that lists events, how to get started, involved, and obtain the gear, etc. http://www.sutler.net/ The events page will let you know those that are nearest your area. Hope this helps the little rebel! Buzzard
____________________ "the way to whip an enemy is to get 'em skeered, and then keep the skeer on 'em" |
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| Posted: Thu Mar 26th, 2009 03:17 pm |
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3rd Post |
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Rebels Mom Member
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Thank you very, very much!!!!!
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| Posted: Thu Mar 26th, 2009 04:13 pm |
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4th Post |
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ole Member 
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Another avenue would be to find a near-by Civil War Round Table. Standard practice is to meet on a given week night monthly. Usually there's a speaker on a specific topic and meetings are usually in a room made available by a library, legion hall, restaurant, park district, et al. Typicacally, there will be a reenactor(s) in that group who will be able to fill you in on obscure local events where he (and you) will see various uniforms and equipment. Usually at such events, the participants are specifically to chat and answer questions about their units, their personna (nearly everyone of them assumes the name of an actual soldier and is well versed in the unit and battles), their uniform, their muskets and swords and handguns (ooooooooooo). Frequently, they put on demonstrations at schools, so many will be well-versed in talking to young people. Your little yank is much to small to participate, but you might consider getting him drum lessons so is prepared in about three or four years to get active. (Different groups have different rules about participation. And, don't panic! Music stores sell practice pads) Also, meanwhile, keep his interest alive with movies and picture books. (Your judgement on movies -- wars mean killing. Lots of it.) If his enthusiasm remains high, he will work hard to be able to read grown-up books in a few years. This summer, take him over to Wilson's Creek or Pea Ridge Battlefields. Don't know if they have a theater with a 15-minute movie about that particular battle, but a cap and a T-shirt and a pin and replica minie balls (bullet) will give him the beginning of a collection of the kind of junk little boys cherish. Most will also sell or rent a cd or tape with a driving tour. "Over to your right is ......" And "Leave your car for a minute to read the marker just in front of you to your left." Lucky boy to have a mom willing to put in that much effort in something that will fade (temporarily) when he discovers girls. Ole
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| Posted: Thu Mar 26th, 2009 04:17 pm |
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5th Post |
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ole Member
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Forgot about the History Channel. It frequently shows programs on the Civil War -- particularly this year. Don't know that he's old enough to grasp much, but the period pictures and occasional reenactment are worth keeping track of.
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| Posted: Thu Mar 26th, 2009 04:45 pm |
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6th Post |
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Rebels Mom Member
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He has quite the little libray of CW books already and does read them. He is an old man in a little kids body. He has watched many movies and knows far more about the CW than many of his elementary teachers, and I'm a teacher. His video games even are about the CW. He had to choose a President for a project, guess who he chose, not Abe, U.S. Grant. I'm really excited for him. Thanks for your help. I've already found possible units to join and places to go. It is very much appreciated. He will be a happy young man.
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| Posted: Thu Mar 26th, 2009 08:56 pm |
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7th Post |
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Albert Sailhorst Member 
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My advice is join reenacting with him. I have a 7 year old son who just can't wait for the season to start. Last year, I started taking him with me to events and he loves it. He's met kids from other units that he plays with, etc. Then, he acts as flag bearer for our artillery unit. The best thing about joining with him is he gets to experience camp life, which allows him to play with his freinds after the public leaves (which, for a kid, is the most fun!! He'll learn about the CW just by being around it at the same time he is playing with kids his age). He also loves attending the Military Ball in the evening, listening to the music and dancing. If he really likes it (and, at that age he'll probably like it more if he gets to stay after the public leaves so he can play with his new freinds) then his interest will grow. To simply let him join in a battle only to go home afterwards means he's mising out on the "being a kid" part of reenacting that the young ones enjoy so much. Besides, you'll get to make new freinds, too, and enjoy it with just as much passion as your son. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!! Albert Sailhorst, Scott's TN Battery Last edited on Thu Mar 26th, 2009 08:58 pm by Albert Sailhorst |
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| Posted: Fri Mar 27th, 2009 01:48 am |
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8th Post |
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ShadowHunter Lurker 
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My son got us all involved in reenacting when he was 8. We went to a local living history and followed up with a 4 day stay at Gettysburg and we all got hooked. We joined a family unit and all had a role to play in camp. He started as a Yo Boy (runner or aid de'camp) was flag bearer and drummer and is now in the field carrying a musket. He is 16 now and tomorrow he is giving a mini lecture to his high school history class on the life of a CW soldier. I also have a daughter who sometimes goes as a soldier. They both have had great fun and memories of our weekend encampments. Playing with new found friends, sitting around the camp fire at night, learning how to churn real butter and have it for breakfast with fresh baked biscuits the next day. And not even miss a single electronic device the whole time. They learned to play horse shoes, cards, domino's, sew, and even listened to me read a book aloud after supper. I wouldn't trade those weekends for anything.
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| Posted: Wed Apr 1st, 2009 04:25 pm |
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9th Post |
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sunnylady408 Lady Reenactor 
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Rebels Mom, I am in Northwest Arkansas and my family and I are members of the N.W.15th Arkansas Infantry. We have members in Arkansas and Oklahoma. We do have a website but not sure if I am allowed to post it here. Also, I know of another unit that is in Oklahoma. I am willing to help you in anyway possible. To let you know it was my now 16 yr old son that got us involved in reenacting. Pea Ridge Military Park and Prairie Grove Military Park have my contact information just ask how to contact Cindy Parker a member of the N.W. 15th Arkansas Infantry or contact me here.
____________________ Cindy Parker Ladies Division N.W. 15th Arkansas Infantry Civil War Reenactors |
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| Posted: Wed Apr 1st, 2009 04:28 pm |
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10th Post |
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sunnylady408 Lady Reenactor
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Shadowhunter, I am like you. I treasure the weekends reenacting now days. It seems like I see more of my children during these times than I do at home since they are busy with school, church, friends and other activities. I also have made many friends since starting this wonderful hobby and it feels like a family reunion at every event. To bad you are in New Jersey and not closer to Arkansas I bet we would get along wonderfully.
____________________ Cindy Parker Ladies Division N.W. 15th Arkansas Infantry Civil War Reenactors |
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| Posted: Wed Apr 1st, 2009 04:42 pm |
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11th Post |
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ShadowHunter Lurker
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SunnyLady, With the current state of affairs of New Jersey politics, corruption and the highest income and property taxes in the nation ANY other state is lookin' good right about now! Find me and my husband a job and we'll move out there and I'll be your BFF!  Lorraine
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| Posted: Wed Apr 1st, 2009 04:48 pm |
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12th Post |
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Rebels Mom Member
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I have been on a website that is located in NW Arkansas. It says there is a meeting every 3rd Tuesday of the month, is this you? We are planning to attend on April 21.
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| Posted: Wed Apr 1st, 2009 05:52 pm |
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13th Post |
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sunnylady408 Lady Reenactor
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Rebels Mom, That is not us sorry. I am not sure who that might be unless I heard the name of the unit. I sent you a email with some information. Please feel free to contact me anytime.
____________________ Cindy Parker Ladies Division N.W. 15th Arkansas Infantry Civil War Reenactors |
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| Posted: Wed Apr 1st, 2009 05:53 pm |
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14th Post |
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sunnylady408 Lady Reenactor
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Lorraine, Jobs are hard to find here right now with Wal-Mart laying off. But I am sure there is something here for you and your hubby. I need a bff I am tired of hanging out with my hubby and 4 teenagers lol.
____________________ Cindy Parker Ladies Division N.W. 15th Arkansas Infantry Civil War Reenactors |
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