The Emerald Guard is based in the Northern Virginia area and is always looking for new members to actively join its ranks. Interested persons are not required to hold a degree or have military experience to join. The hobby of reenacting is like a workshop for those intensely interested in the Civil War. Most events occur over weekends where the members lose their twentieth century identities and don the impression of a Civil War soldier. They wear the wool or jean cloth uniforms of the period, handle and fire period weapons, learn to maneuver as a company, and camp as the Confederate soldier did 135 years ago.
Every event leaves the reenactor with something new to think about.
The hobby of reenacting is as much a teaching experience as a learning experience. At battle reenactments and living history programs, spectators flock to look at the camps, watch the battles and talk to the reenactors. The Emerald Guard tries to work with the public and answer questions about the weapons, clothing, equipment, and experiences that would have been part of the soldier's life. In many cases, while remaining in the character of the confederate soldier. This means the interpreter may be talking as a private, claiming knowledge only on those things he would be expected to know for the time period he is portraying.