Tips for Weekend Events

It gets cold, especially out in those cabins. Find the warmest sleeping bag you can. If you don't own one or can't find someone's to borrow, bring a big, big pile of blankets.

Remember also a pillow, though many Questies go without one, or wad up their cloaks, etc.

Remember the cold! You won't be spending all day outside, but pack as if you will. Pack sweatshirts or sweaters, and dress in layers. If you have long underwear, bring it; if not, consider getting some!

We ask you to put some effort into at least a simple costume, but we'd rather you be comfortable than look medieval but be in discomfort. Cloaks or plain-color cloth coats are preferable to ski jackets, but if the only warm coat or cloak you have is a ski jacket, bring the latter.

Bring rain gear. Your raincoat or poncho may not look very "period", but if it's raining like mad, you won't care. Bring something plastic and waterproof, if just a plastic trash bag to wear as a "rain tunic".

Bring extra underwear.

Bring gloves. Our weekend games take place in spring and fall, and you can't just tuck your hands into your jacket, since you won't have a jacket. Also, it's hard to tuck in your hands while carrying a sword.

Lastly, and especially if your outfit doesn't have pockets, bring a pouch of some sorts. You'll have lots of junk to carry around!

Bring boots, preferably waterproof. Make 'em comfortable, too, 'cos you'll be hiking around a lot. If you don't have boots, sneakers might cut it, but they'll get real dirty/wet/muddy... If you have an extra pair of boots, bring them, too. Better safe than sorry.

We'd prefer you not wear sneakers or modern-looking shoes, but if those are your only shoes that are good for hiking around in the woods, we'll allow it.

Pack lots of warm socks, especially wool ones. Pack as many as you think you need – then pack more. If the camp is muddy or snowy, you'll never regret doing so.

Quest provides all the meals, but not the snacks, so bring snack foods. And bring healthy ones, 'cos just like your mom told you, a quick sugar fix won't keep you going – especially after mediocre sleep in the cabins followed by lots of exercise. Chocolate and M&Ms are popular Quest snack foods, but unwise choices, really. Bring stuff like granola bars instead.

Bring soda or sports drinks if you want them. We have coffee and tea, but no soda. And the caffeine and energy can help during the Saturday afternoon "boy, I'm getting tired" period.

Quest doesn't provide dinner on Friday night, so eat before you arrive, or bring a sandwich.

Bring painkillers, decongestant, etc as you need. Consider also a few Band-Aids and/or some Kleenex.

Chap stick. All that exercise will dehydrate you, and being outside only makes it worse.

A small flashlight. The cabins we use are unlit, and you won't be able to find anything in the dark.

Toothbrush and paste. While most folks go without showering, many simply cannot deal with three-day tooth buildup.

Sports glasses are also recommended for those who wear glasses.

Bring some garbage bags. They have a billion uses. Same goes for duct tape.

You can shower if you want, but few Questies do. And no one minds, because everyone smells, so no one notices. (How historically accurate, too.) If you plan to wash at any point, bring soap, shampoo, towel, etc.

We provide these.

If you don't have a prop weapon, Quest has a supply you can borrow for the game.

Even if you're not going to fight with them, they can be a safety hazard.

These are expressly against our policy.

All that hiking and combat will sap your energy real fast. At mealtimes, eat your fill, and eat high-energy foods, like proteins and complex carbohydrates.

The best way to prevent the "chapped lips for the next two weeks" syndrome is to drink lots of liquids (meaning more than just a glass with dinner).

You'll be too tired. Trust us. Don't put off that Monday morning assignment or say "I'll study when I get back", because it won't get done.

If you're bringing a personal weapon, especially a non-Quest design, it will have to pass weapons inspection. Quest maintains tight safety standards (for example, NERO's PVC swords are unsafe by our standards, and are out of the question), and your homemade weapon may not be approved.