CHECK LIST
MARKING
LOST AND FOUND
MEMORY
HOW TO PACK
SHIPPING
LABELS
NEATNESS
GENERAL HINTS
Experience only can determine what should be taken to camp. Usually the
first camping trip decides what to take on the second trip, and also
reveals how few things, providing they are right things, one really needs
to be comfortable in camp. A boy's mother, who is generally the official
trunk packer of the family, makes a mistake in stowing away in the trunk a
lot of things not serviceable or suitable for camping. Cotton goods,
except towels, handkerchiefs, and hose, are of no use. Gray woolen shirts,
gray, brown, or green sweaters (a boon to campers--avoid white, red, or
striped colors), khaki suit, outing flannel pajamas (tan color preferred)
are in the class of real camp necessities so far as clothing is concerned.
The hat should be drab or khaki color, of campaign style, something that
will shed water and sun. The hat used by the Boy Scouts of America is
admirably adapted for campers.
The outfit may be divided into four classes: things necessary, things
desirable, things convenient, and luxuries. Boys who go camping for two
weeks or less should take articles in the following list marked (1); those
who go for four weeks or less should take articles marked (2) in addition
to those marked (1); and those who go for what may be called the season,
six or more weeks, should take those marked (3), in addition to all of (1)
and (2).
Necessary
Woolen sweater (coat style) (1)
Note book or diary (1)
Twine and rope (2)
Two flannel shirts (gray) (1)
Lead pencil (1)
Change of underwear (1)
Pens and ink (2)
Two pairs stockings (1)
Stamps, stamped envelopes (1)
Jersey (2)
Outing flannel pajamas (1)
Paper, postals and envelopes(2)
Running pants (1)
Handkerchiefs (1)
Needles and thread (1)
Two pairs woolen blankets (1)
Matches in metal box (1)
Poncho (1)
Folding drinking cup (1)
Turkish towels (1)
Strong pocket knife on chain(1)
Extra pair heavy shoes (2)
Toilet soap (in aluminum or
celluloid box) (1)
Echo whistle (2)
Fishing tackle (2)
Comb and brush (1)
Camera (2)
Tooth brush and tooth paste(1)
Small-sized Bible (1)
Money (1)
Pins and safety pins (safeties one-inch and four-inch) (1)
Good disposition (1)
Leggings-tan, army style (1)
Desirable
Extra suit of clothes (2)
Rubber-soled shoes (sneakers) (1)
Soft laundered shirt (2)
Bathing suit or tights (2)
Small compass (2)
Small mirror (1)
Baseball, bats, gloves (2)
Whisk broom (2)
Tennis racquets and balls (3)
Dish towels (2)
Ping Pong racquets, balls (3)
Cheap watch (1)
Rubber boots or overshoes (2)
Map of vicinity (2)
Clothes pins (2)
Musical instruments (2)
Flash lamp (2)
Scissors (2)
Repair outfit (2)
Convenient
Games (3)
Can opener (2)
Books (3)
Small hand washboard (3)
Small pillow (2)
Thick strong gloves (3)
Mosquito netting (2)
Heavy woolen stockings (3)
Candles (3)
Elk hide moccasins (3)
Luxuries
Bath robe (3)
Blacking and brush (3)
Shaving outfit (3)
Laundry bag (2)
Face rag (3)
It is understood that cooking utensils; tools, tents, cots and the general
camp equipment is supplied by the camp management. The above list is for
the individual campers.
Mark Everything
Mark everything with your initials, or, if in a large camp, your camp
number. This may be done with indelible ink upon white tape, and the tape
sewed upon the garments, or you may order through the large department
stores your full name embroidered on tape in sufficient quantity to sew
upon your belongings. Marking your "goods and chattels" helps identify
ownership, for things somehow get fearfully mixed up in a boys' camp.
A clever scheme for locating lost articles was adopted by one large camp.
A "Lost and Found" shop was opened. Articles found were brought to the
shop. Hours for identification and reclaiming were announced, the owner
paying two cents for each article claimed. This method had the effect of
making the boys more systematic and less careless in throwing things
around, or leaving them upon the ground after a ball game or play. After a
certain length of time, an auction was held of all unclaimed articles. The
money received was put into books for the camp library.
Write it Down
Make your "check list" during the winter. Have an old box handy in which
to put things you think you will want to take to camp. Boys usually talk
over the experiences of the last camp until about January 1st, then they
begin to talk and plan about the next camp. As you think of things jot
them down in a little memorandum book marked "Camp Ideas." Leaders will
find this plan especially helpful. In making up the list, put down each
article on a separate line. Don't jumble things together. Leave nothing to
memory which, alas, too frequently is a splendid "forgetter." Write it
down on paper. Examine your list very carefully, and strike out everything
you can do without. Simplicity coupled with comfort should be the guide in
making up the list or inventory. Tack the list on the inside of your trunk
or camp box. Often the little trifles prove the most valuable things on a
camping trip. For instance, a supply of giant safety pins is invaluable
for pinning blankets together in sleeping-bag fashion. Ever roll out of
your blankets or toss them off on a cool night? If so, you know the value
of a giant safety pin.
What to pack the outfit in and how to pack it is a problem which each must
solve for himself. A cracker box, with hinged cover, padlock, and rope
handles, is good for a short-time camping trip. It should be of the
following dimensions: 30 x 18 x 15 inches.
[Illustration: Camp Box]
A good strong steamer trunk is about the best thing. It is convenient,
easy to handle, and takes up very little space.
The boys who are mechanically inclined, will want to have the fun of
making a camp box. The illustration is a suggestion successfully worked
out by a number of boys. The dimensions may be determined by the maker.
Don't make it too big, or it will be a burden and also occupy too much
room in the tent. It stands upright and serves as a dresser. Boys who
spend a summer in camp should have either a steamer trunk or this dresser.
If the trunk or box is too small to carry blankets, a good plan is to roll
blankets, bedding and such articles in a roll or canvas, the ends and
sides of which are doubled inward, so as to prevent articles from dropping
out or getting wet. Strap with a good shawl or strong rope. (See
illustration.)
[Illustration: Blanket Roll.]
A dunnage[1], duffle, or carry-all bag is sometimes used for packing, but
there is a possibility of a "mess" as well as a loss of your good
disposition and patience in trying to locate some desired article.
Carry your poncho to be used in case of rain en route.
[Transcriber's Footnote 1: Personal baggage.]
Shipping
Have your expressman deliver your baggage at the station at least one hour
before the train starts. If the baggage is delayed, much annoyance and
loss of temper is the result. If the camp is a large one, some one should
be designated to look after the baggage arrangements. After checking the
baggage, this person should receive checks and attend to claiming baggage
at destination.
Many of the large camps provide mucilaged labels or "stickers" to paste on
the end of the trunk or box making identification easy at railroad baggage
room. Initials and camp number should be painted on outside of trunk or
box.
Neatness
"A place for everything and everything in place" should be the real key to
find things in your trunk. Neatness is good discipline for the mind, and
should characterize every real camper. The trunks of some boys in camp
look as if a cyclone had struck them. "Full, pressed down, and running
over." Every old thing in any old way is both slovenly and unhygienic.
About once a week everything should be taken from the trunk or box, and
exposed to the sun. Let the sun also get into the trunk or box. Then
repack neatly. This will prevent mould and dampness, and be the means of
discovering lost articles. Finally be sure to go over with care your
"check list" or inventory the day before camp breaks. This will prevent
rushing around excitedly at the eleventh hour, hunting lost articles.
GENERAL HINTS
Gray and khaki are the most inconspicuous colors for camping.
Shirts should be provided with breast pockets.
Each lock should have a duplicate key to be given to the tent leader, or
in a large camp, to the camp banker.
Have an old laundry bag in which to put soiled clothes. "Wash day" is a
popular day in many camps. No camper need be dirty when there is abundance
of water.
There is a luxuriance in a piece of soap and a clean towel that only
experienced campers can understand and appreciate.
Wet towels, swimming suits or tights should not be placed in the trunk or
box, but hung upon a rope, or non-rust wire outside of the tent.
The poncho is the camper's friend. It makes a good rubber blanket, a wrap,
a cushion, a bag, a sail or a tent.
Be sure to take enough bed clothes. You will need them on cold nights.
Stamps wiped over the hair of your head will not stick together--the oil
of the hair does the trick. Take a self-filler fountain pen--no glass
filler to break.
A small Williams or Colgate shaving stick box, with screw or hinged cover,
makes a good match box. A better one is a water-tight hard rubber box,
with screw top. If dropped into a lake or stream it will float, whereas a
metal box will sink.
Some one has said that "Good temper is as necessary for camping as water
is for swimming." Be sure it is on your "check list."
[Illustration: Personal Labels]