I just started reenacting and my experience with joining my own unit (69th PA Irish Volunteers) was so different! I saw a news story about reenactors being needed and decided to look around on the internet. Took two days pouring myself over various websites that hasn't been updated in years, eventually finding the 69th with the captain's phone number. Gave him a call for gits and shiggles and he picks up, we end up talking for 20+ minutes arranging when we can meet for loaner gear. The next weekend I'm down at his place getting set up. 90% of the time we were just talking so we could feel each other out and see how I would fit with the unit as a whole. Following week is SOTS for the unit and the rest is history, started collecting my own gear for my impression and even that is a blast for me.
Your story is almost the same as mine. As a kid I was fascinated with history. I was drawn to the American Civil war and got the courage to actually ask questions and found a unit in my area. I reenacted for about three years with a Union regiment. I am a lot older now but I'm going to throw the hat in the ring and do at least one more major reenactment. Godspeed
If you have a unit that has been around awhile they will more then likely have extra gear and can loan you some for an event. Most of the time however you will need to buy your own.