The snow has finally gone, the fields are green again, and the sounds of clanging steel in the open air are overdue. The Ottawa Medieval Sword Guild is hosting the 6th annual Medieval Camping Weekend from Friday, August 1st through Monday, August 4th, 2008. As always, this is a family camping event welcoming people of all ages.

This year the Medieval Camping Weekend is changing venues to the Woods and McKee Farms, just north of Spencerville, Ontario. We have always wanted to host the event on home turf and finally we can! The two adjoining farms cover 166 acres, are entirely private land, and are two hours closer to our friends in Southern Ontario and the U.S.A. What's not to like?

• Saturday Morning (dawn) - Medieval Hunting Party
• Saturday Afternoon (1:00pm) - "The Charge" Archery and Armoured Combat Activities
• Saturday Evening (6:00pm) - Pig Roast & Banquet, followed by the great bonfire
• Sunday Morning (10:00am) - Archery Tournament

Access to the event is via the McKee Farm on County Road 44 (as per directions below). A parking area will be set up near the main access point. We expect to also have vehicle access to the main campsite to allow guests to drop of their equipment, however, if vehicle access is unavailable (due to weather conditions) a shuttle service will be made available. We ask that all vehicles be kept at the main parking lot (camper vans & trailers not included).

The main campsite is located in a secluded meadow on the McKee Farm. The site allows easy access to both the Woods Farm as well as the guest parking area. This field has plenty of shade around the outer edges and a number of large canopy/shade tents will be set up for cooking and other activities. There will also be a couple of fire pits and fire wood available at this site.

Two portable toilets (Porta-Potties) will be located in close proximity to the main campsite for everyone's use.

Fresh water will be available on-site for cooking and cleaning. Guests also have access to drinkable water at both the Woods & McKee Farms. There are no shower facilities for the campsite, but a private, enclosed area will be set up for use with portable "camping" type showers.

There is an archery range located at the Woods Farm, which is only a few minutes' walk from the main campsite. The range is equipped with bow-racks and a shade tent. Guests are encouraged to use the range for practice. Lists will be set up near the main field to be used for sparring and training purposes. Shade tents, weapon racks, and an armoury will be also be located at the lists. There are various walking trails to explore on both properties (ask John about the variety of wildlife that can be observed in the area). A medium-sized 4’ deep pool will be located near the Woods residence which is available to guests.

The Drummonds Gas Station & Store is located in Spencerville. Ice and other supplies can be found here (there's also an LCBO outlet inside the Drummonds). A number of other stores in Spencerville include a small Grocery Store and a Home Hardware. More ameneties can be found in Kemptville (a ten-minute drive north from the Farms), including grocery stores, a Beer Store, several restaurants, and two motels. The Connell Rose Bed & Breakfast is also located just minutes from the Farms.

• Water storage containers
• Bottled water (for drinking)
• Citronella candles/torches and insect repellants
• Portable camp-shower
• Anything and everything "medieval" (weapons and armour would be good)
• In addition to the usual WMA gear (i.e. swords and gambesons) think longbows, crossbows, spears, throwing axes, shields, and siege engines!

• Citronella torches/burners/candles
• Oil lanterns
• Cirtonella oil
• Lamp oil
• Tarps (medium and large sizes)
• Rope
• Garbage bags
• Wrought-iron hooks, stands, and hardware
• Toilet paper

These directions assume that after you headed off you ended up driving east along the 401 to get to the Ottawa area. There is also a Google Maps link following the directions if you are more comfortable letting Google give you directions.

1. From Hwy 401, take exit 721 - Hwy 416 North to Kemptville/Ottawa
2. Take exit # 12 Leeds & Grenville Road 21 (Spencerville)
3. Turn LEFT at "T" onto Road 21 (follow sign to Spencerville)
4. Turn RIGHT at "T" (follow sign to Spencerville)
5. Pass through the town of Spencerville - note the Drummonds Station & Store
6. Travel approx. 3km out of town - turn RIGHT onto Ventnor Road - cross the over-pass
7. Turn LEFT (immediately after crossing over-pass) continue on County Road 44 (follow sign to Kemptville)
8. Pass through the village of Groveton (it's basically just that intersection with no town-like buildings)
9. The McKee Farm is the large red-brick farmhouse on the right with wide open spaces on either side. There is a huge tree in its own field by the road as you approach the farmhouse.
10. The street address is #9067 County Rd 44 (approx. 3.8 km from last turn)