Olde Times Adventures

OLDE TIME ADVENTURES.

In a private forest 35 km from Armidale the New England Colonial Living History Group reenacts a colonial lifestyle in the New World. This group of dedicated history buffs and outdoors people wear the clothes and use equipment from roughly 1720 to1760. The standards of historical authenticity are high within this group but they are not an elitist or closed group and are constantly looking for new members. Historical trekking, mid 18th century period living skills and wilderness survival skills are a major part of this group’s activities.

The historical treks are fun, challenging and test the skills of participants, their clothing and the equipment they carry with them. Trekkers learn all the skills and tricks of keeping warm in winter and surviving in the wilderness. Fires are usually lit using flint and steel and a tinderbox, but participants can also learn how to make fire with a fire bow. Period style foods are cooked over an open fire using only a period style cook pot and other items fashioned in camp. Some period foods that don’t require cooking are always carried incase it is not safe to light a fire or if the trek scenario dictates that no fires are allowed, for example, traveling in hostile country usually dictates a “cold camp”.

There were “woodswomen” as well as “woodsmen” in the 18th century and there are no age restrictions in this group. For those that don’t wish to trek on foot there are drive-in camps and ordinary regular meetings with plenty of opportunities to learn a wide variety of period skills, or just relax, eat and drink and watch others practicing skills.

Regular meetings are a time to relax and share research information or show a piece of period equipment recently acquired. Children can learn wilderness survival through “survival games” such as building a simple survival shelter. Children gain a real insight into life in another time and history comes alive for them.

Regular meetings and camps are also a good time for some friendly competition tomahawk throwing or practicing other skills such as finger weaving, making cordage or flint and steel fire lighting.

Reenacting a New World colonial lifestyle allows group members a large range of personas, activities, nationalities, skills, crafts, equipment, clothing styles and trekking scenarios to choose from. There is in fact such a wide range of skills and activities that there is something of interest for everyone and all ages. This makes mid 18th century living history an ideal activity for families where members can learn together and from each other.

Today’s world is sadly lacking in the adventure and opportunities for adults and youths that was available over 250 years ago. Modern adventures often carry a high price tag that few can afford, especially low-income families. Living History is only as expensive as the individual wants it to be. Most participants make a lot of their own clothing and equipment and trade for items they cannot make or don’t wish to make themselves. In 18th century living history you can be anyone you want to be and follow a trade or occupation that you won’t find at any modern “job center”.
So, whose for shipping off to the New World to a life of adventure and opportunity? Anyone interested in joining the New England Colonial Living History Group or wanting more information can contact the group’s primitive skills instructor and spokesperson: Keith at historicaltrekker@gmail.com