Re: MtMan-List: BP Guns & Getting Kids Started in Buckskinning (not re: NMLRA)

[John Kramer <kramer@kramerize.com>]

At 03:36 PM 6/14/98 -0400, JSemninerio wrote:
>Dear Angela 
>
>As always a great post. 
>But Why Oh Why,  did you get me started ? ? ? 
>
>I agree with your post.  I do think you have slightly missed a very important
>point.  The point is HOW WILL WE GET AND KEEP PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES
>INTERESTED IN BUCKSKINNING.
>


Interesting topic.

I am proud to say I've never fired a shot at a "public" rendezvous.  I have
touched off a few rounds hooraying a town or robbing the stage coach up in
Davey Jackson's hole.  I was a better shot years ago when my eyes didn't fuzz
so much.  Snuffing candles, and splitting cards is for the eagle eyed young
who's ears don't ring all the time, yet.

What makes a rendezvous is the exchange of learning.  That comes in many and
diverse forms.

The storytellers, the scholars, those that lead children in old games.  Those
that teach by showing their fine work demonstrating or speaking of the skills
they've learned add to everyone's experience.  Shooting is only one skill.

Learning to build a fire -- no matter what you don't have.  Learning to cook
with minimal equipage.  Learning how to really sharpen and use knives and
axes.  Learning to stay comfortable in any weather with a few simple
possessions.  Learning to make much of what we need.  Learning enough to know;
that no matter what circumstance dictates; we have the skills to survive
without: which builds confidence in every other aspect of life.

Traders contribute greatly when they know their goods and speak to the
history,
acquisition and manufacture in correct terms of the period.  Those who make
what they sell or only deal in old, authentic and that which is exactly right
to the period, teach.  The K-Mart type traders add nothing to rendezvous. 
Look-a-like trash, almost sort of right, teaches nothing but more about caveat
emptor.  Someone only interested in collecting the modern coin answering few
questions not related to price do not help.  Those who trade prime plunder for
prime goods, teach.

The period foods, cloth and goods are tools from whence we learn the use. 
Those that teach of the skills and crafts to use and manufacture those goods
from before mechanization enrich everyones experience.  Blacksmiths, weavers,
cordwainers, woodwrights, tanners, spinners, coopers, all and much, much more
are the learning experiences on which we thrive.  Those who teach of wild
foods, or the stars in the sky may spark a young interest to learn much more.

There is much to learn from books and scholars there is much more to learn
getting out on the ground and finding out how things were really done, by
doing
them that way.

Joy is found in learning.  Learning can be a great deal of fun.  If we aren't
learning we wither.

To me, though important, the shooting aspects are of no greater value than any
other aspect of whatever we choose to call: buckskinning, rendezvous, living
history, working history, experimental history, reenacting, mountainmaning or
whatever.

The musician who tells of the history of the tunes they play, teaches us.  The
storyteller who recounts ancient legend stimulates the mind around the late
nite fire.  This is the stuff that I always thought made the experience
worthwhile for the whole family.  Learning to knap from a master or still
another of the many small secrets of fire; each is of equal importance to
shooting.

That and the spirit of camaraderie and community, of honor and integrity, of
common trust.  If we foster these things it will not be hard to keep the kids
interest.

John...
John T. Kramer, maker of: 
 
Kramer's Best Antique Improver
>>>It makes wood wonderful<<<
        >>>As good as old!<<<

<<http://www.kramerize.com/>http://www.kramerize.com/>

mail to: <kramer@kramerize.com>