Before I proceed, I must issue a disclaimer of sorts.... I am a member of a team that is a member…read moreof this organisation. And; this is gonna be a looooong review/evaluation.
First: check out www.n-ssa.org for an overview of this great group dedicated to friendly (though intense!) competitive SHOOTING of Civil War weapons. This is NOT re-enacting, folks:
"We count TARGETS, not stitches!"
The home range of the North-South Skirmish Association is located just west of Winchester, Virginia, and is pretty well an exclusive range for the use of that organisation. For that reason, one must alter slightly the usual criteria for a review, given that this isn't by any means a 'public' accessible venue.
The range itself is quite grand, well-maintained, with an extensive line of shooting positions for 8-man musket teams and other original or dimensionally correct Civil War weapons. To experience 40+ 8-man teams "open up" at the sound of the horn, is unforgettable! And yes, they target-shoot mortars and cannons, too! Pity that it's only fully utilised twice a year, and then, alas; almost to excess. The N-SSA range has an excellent safety record. (As I mentioned, this is NOT re-enacting!) I feel safer on this firing line than I have ever felt at ANY other range I've visited or enjoyed membership with.
The membership of N-SSA is comprised of some of the most Alpha-competitive men & women (from every walk of life) one might EVER wish to meet: While being some of the most decent, caring, good-to-know folk one might ever be LUCKY enough to meet. These are folk who would give you a part, should your's break, even though you or your team might be shooting against them in the next event. As my late friend (and competitor) Ken Pascall of the 27th NC said, "These are unique people, and to be a friend among them is a unique experience."
Okay, so if the competition is so keen, the members so great, and the range so super, why only 2-stars?
Simply: The non-range facilities....
They are a downer....alas!
First: There are no campsites on the range with full or even partial hook-ups. No shower facilities. No facilities for dish cleaning. There are primitive flush facilities scattered across the team camping areas, and a few porta-johns. The flushers are lighted. Some even have a 120V outlet! And yet, camping is promoted in the site literature as a 'plus'. Cram 2-3k men, women, and children (family sport!) over a five-six day period and an aroma of authenticity pervades the events!
Second: The restrooms are 'marginally' ADA compliant, even those on the main, visitor-accessible area. No rails in the handicapped stalls; steps or curbs to enter the facilities.
Next: Limited food option on site: If you're not fond of burger-burger-burger variations, and not cooking (no clean-up areas) it's a drive into town for each meal, unless you're fond of cold-cut-cold-cut-cold-cut from your cooler. Or, do a cold water dish rinse, say a Hail Mary, and take your chances.
Next: Mud. The slightest rain turns roads and paths into ankle-deep quagmires of mud. Add 2-3k folk, and you've created an acres-large 'mud-pit'. The site-manager does a incredible job of maintaining with what he's got to work with, but Location (flood plain), Rain, Crowds, & Budgets conspire to work against maintaining a 'National' atmosphere at the most heavily attended events.
The 'host' teams strive to maintain the restrooms, and some on-site food is better than none, but compared to other 'national' shooting venues, Fort Shenandoah is strong on charm, and greatly lacking on amenities.
Several of the photos included in this and my 'previous' review are from the N-SSA web-site. I could not find to whom to attribute those wonderful images.
