Obligatory "wear your bug spray and sunscreen" post

Obligatory "Thank you, Kat!" comment.

As a tick vic two years ago WITL, please do tick checks, and insect repellent on you And as an Australian, Slip on a shirt, slop on Sunblock and Slap on a hat. Your body will appreciate it.

Note to self: Put sunscreen in nice container, bring to game, find suitable hat for ranger.

Also, glad you mentioned the ticks. I'm used to them being not much of an issue (the map shows your area is a high risk area for lyme borrelliosis), but I will wear long pants and sleeves and closed shoes anyway.

The hoods I wear aren't just because I'm a paladin acolyte- they keep the evil daystar off my scalp! I can't recommend good head wear enough. Sunscreen is essential, but most of us don't want it in our hair If you can stand the heat, but burn really quickly, you might want to check out SPF-rated clothing like I do. If you dress in long, loose clothing, it adds a protective barrier between you and nature.

Shameless plug here! Renee Grace/Maeve makes soaps and sells them at Market Faire. You may have seen her. She does an anti-bug/anti-tick soap that I've used to great effect. You can even use it for more than just showering. Just get it damp and rub it onto your skin. It absorbs right into the skin and works like a charm! Get thee some.

Also, not to cause undue alarm but I just checked the CDC map and the camp is projected to fall within the range of mosquitoes that could potentially transmit Zika Virus this year.

This is absolutely no reason to stay home but it does mean you should be extra cautious and definitely wear the bug spray every time you're outdoors at dusk whether LARPing or not. Consider ordering a little mosquito net to sleep in if camping in a tent. Be extra vigilant about it this year, friends

I look forward to seeing you all soon and smelling heavily of lemon eucalyptus and DEET.

www.cdc.gov/zika/vector/range.html