[Nordskogen] Ramping up for camping season

[David Remington]

Giovanna wrote:
> I know this is a difficult subject to ponder when the temp outside is in the negative numbers, but now is the time to start thinking about tent needs for the camping season.
>    
>   If you are planning on making your own tent/ shade fly now is the time to start, however if you are thinking about purchasing your first pavilion this is a good time of the year as well because many companies are clearing out their stock and are having SALES.  In hopes of spreading the canvas bug I am including a list of commercial pavilion sellers in this e-mail.  Most people are aware of the big names (Panther) but there are many pavilion sellers who have reasonably priced tents that are useful for the SCA.  
>   
As incentive, I can assure you that a period pavilion is 10x more 
comfortable than a modern nylon pressure-cooker. There is nothing nicer 
than taking a nice, shady nap in the middle of a hot Pennsic afternoon 
or being able to sleep in after some revelry because you aren't forced 
out of your dome with the rising of the sun. And when the autumn weather 
gets a little colder, you can safely heat your *roomy and breathable* 
period pavilion in ways that would be definitely unsafe in nylon.

You don't even have to drop big bucks on one of the commercial 
outfitters. You can often barter with an SCA craftsman and get exactly 
what you want instead of picking one of five styles from a catalogue--or 
you can sew your own. A good-sized pavillion takes a couple days of 
solid labor for the sewing (not counting fancy embellishments), and good 
fabric (sunforger rocks) will cost some $$, so barter fairly, but you'd 
be surprised. And, I know several people who have armed themselves with 
a few tips from a tent maker and just up and done it. (Including a 
12-year-old from my home shire who insisted on making a 14' round 
pavillion of her own by herself.)

Sir Ilya