Clothing:  I use two oilskin bags (waterproof) to carry my clothes.  One for modern clothes and one for period clothes.  At Lafe, I use them as pillows.  I bring a white linen bag for soiled clothes too, and hang it from my bunk.

 

Bedroll:  I pre-roll it at home and hide any modern materials with in the folds.  If you use a sleeping bag, you may want to sew up a large blanket to cover it.  A surplus army linen/cotton mattress cover can carry your entire bedroll or hide your modern sleeping items.

 

Cooler:  I built a wooden box with wheels to hold my cooler.  I have also used a small burlap sack to carry it and hide it at the event.  I also spray painted the cooler brown with the "plastic krylon" paint.  It scratches off some, but further hides the bright blue color of the cooler.

 

Food:  If not refrigerated, I have a large net bag where my munchies reside in plastic containers for safety.  I do however "pre-open" everything that I can so I have less pieces of plastic floating around.  For some foods that can travel safely out of plastic (nuts, fruits, beef jerky, etc), I put it in linen bags.  When I go to eat, I take it out of the plastic, place it on my Roman plate, and rehide the plastic ASAP.

 

Plastic Boxes:  Avoid them at all costs.  They tend to be way to colorful and even a sliver of bright silver or blue can give it away.  If you must use them look for black or brown, as they are at least less obvious.

 

Suitcases:  See above "Plastic Boxes"

 

NOTE: We have found that using brown or black flat spraypaint makes many polastic things easier to hide!  Coolers, boxes, and bright blue, silver, and green plastic things tend to disappear if spraypainted brown or black!  Definitely a way to make it easier on yourself to hide your modernisms!

 

Wooden Boxes can be used to hold your "breakables"  My event kit box is about 12 *18 unches by 14 inches high.  Holds my plates, cups, little breakables, and some modern things too.

 

KEYS-  I am always paranoid about these.  Especially if you drove with others.  DO NOT CARRY THEM IN THE FIELD!!!  You lose them out there and archeologists will have to be called in!  Designate a spot where they MUST be placed and periodically check it.  I use my wooden box for this.

 

Eating Utensils:  Always have two spoons (one will be missing the entire event, but you will find it when you get home).  A period bowl and plate, stoneware or wooden are the minimum you need.  I also use a linen "napkin" to hold it all together.  A period-ish knife will also be useful.  If you use stoneware, cut a leather round to seperate the plate an bowl from touching.  Keeps them from chipping each other.

 

Cups:  Given the apparent proclivities of Milites for drink, a cup should be big enough to hold 12 ounces of your favorite liquid.  Otherwise you will have to hide the can/bottle!  Smaller ones are acceptable.  Wood or stoneware preferred.

 

Wine Bottles:  If you can soak off the label, they look periodish and are okay around the fire, but we generally keep any alcohol hidden.

 

Olive oils, honey, etc can be placed in clear glass or stoneware containers and cork sealed.  Remember- less to hide!

 

Bring extra linen, burlap, or cotton bags for stuff you will find that needs to be hidden at the event, usually to help others.  I packed two "hiding" blankets this year and they got used by others to hide their stuff.  It is so much easier if the bags can simply be stacked in the corner because they are already period as opposed to covering them with a blanky.

 

Those annoying plastic bags from the grocery store:  ABOLISH THEM FROM YOUR KIT.  They seem to always find a way to either stick out of a period container or get caught in the wind and blow through the camp... the HORROR.  and they always rip open...  at least use paper.

 

Cardboard Boxes:  I have seen these at events more often of late.. I guess they are better than a plastic box, but they are certainly not period... especially if white and labeled USPS.  Keep it hidden or leave them home.  They also make GREAT firestarter!!!!!!!

 

Tarps:  While things like artillery may need a seriously waterproof covering, use CANVAS tarps and covers whenever possible.  There is nothing like a bright blue plastic tarp to scream "MODERN!!!"

 

Modern Tools:  We do occassionally have to use modern tools for the sake of safety or because we do not have period equivalents.  Do your best to make them look period-ish (wood handles, remove lables, perhaps even torch the wood a bit to age it) and keep them hidden when not in use.

 

Once onsite, drop your kit and DRESS OUT!  Even if early, we came to play Roman, not watch you wear modern stuff all day.  Hide stuff As Soon As Possible, and set the standard for others to follow!

 

Finally, help a brother out!  If one of your buddies has that plastic bag sticking out... hide it for him.  If he has a paper cup- remind him.  Truth be told we ALL have a responsibility to keep the event as period as possible for us all!