They said it couldn’t possibly be done, which was like encouragement to Laurie Wignall of The European Re-enactment Agency ltd and me, so we went ahead and did it anyway. We staged the initial History Boot Camp at Phasels Wood Scout Camp, near Hemel Hempstead, just off the A41 near J20 of the M25, where we provided re-enactors and history buffs with a unique opportunity in a vast 96 acre playground with great facilities for happy camping, such as shower blocks and toilets and subsidised beer.

 

On offer were a series of “master classes” in such things as the history of perfume, medieval book-binding, lighting a fire with flint and steel, archery, use of sword and bill, making arrows, using a PA system, first aid, repairing your armour, even playing the recorder, and black powder safety. Additional courses in building snowmen were arranged when we found 3” of snow on the Sunday morning!

 

It was enjoyed by everyone who came – as well as the classes retail therapy was on hand, with around 27 traders brave enough to try something so different and good reports of business being done. One costume maker ran out of stock entirely!

 

The usual Trollsbottom Bar was installed in a centrally located hut, and a series of tarpaulins hung on ropes from trees next to the Beer Hut to provide for a sheltered “Beer Garden” where several campfires were lit.

 

As well as the snow, we had bright sunshine, showers, and lots and lots of lovely sticky mud! We chose the first week end in April aware that it might well be chilly and changeable, but needed to avoid the busy summer season when not only would the re-enactors be busy elsewhere, but the Scout Camp would not be available on a n exclusive deal – because one of the rationales behind the concept was a “no public” setting so that there was no pressure to perform or to sat “authentic”. Instead, a relaxed atmosphere and a great chance to play – indeed, the only limit is the imagination of those who want to come and play!

 

Next year’s History Boot Camp will be the weekend of April 3rd, 4th and 5th, and we are already taking bookings and accepting volunteers who wish to share their expertise. Laurie will get round to updating the website in due course, I do keep nagging him, but it does provide useful information, see www.history-boot-camp.co.uk   Prices for 2009 are the same as 2008, which is £23 per adult camper, £33 if you want dormitory accommodation (limited, first booked first allocated) children under 16 free, and no pitch fees for traders.