Check List of Personal Camp Property

Categories: Iv What To Wear On The Trail

One note-book and pencil for taking notes on wild

birds, animals, trees, etc.



One needle-case, compact with needles and strong

white and black thread, wound on cardboard reels

(spools are too bulky). Scissors, thimble, and

large-eyed tape-needle for running elastic through

hem in bloomers and head-net, when needed.



Two papers of very large sized safety-pins of

horse-blanket kind.



One roll of tape, most useful in many ways.



One whistle, the loudest and shrillest to be

found, worn on cord around the neck, for calling

help when lost or in case of need. A short, simple

system of signalling calls should be adopted.



One compass, durable and absolutely true.



One watch, inexpensive but trustworthy. Do not

take your gold watch.



One package of common post-cards, with lead pencil

attached. The postals to take the place of

letters.



One package writing-paper and stamped envelopes,

if post-cards do not meet the needs.



One pocket-knife, a big, strong one, with

substantial, sharp, strong blades, for outdoor

work and to use at meals.



One loaded camera, in case which has secure

leather loops through which your belt can be

slipped to carry camera and hold it steady,

leaving the hands free and precluding danger of

smashing the instrument should a misstep on mossy

stone or a trip over unseen vine or root suddenly

throw you down and send the camera sailing on a

distance ahead. Such an accident befell a girl

camper who was too sure that her precious camera

would be safest if carried in her hand. Wear the

camera well back that you may not fall on it

should you stumble, or the camera can be carried

on strap slung from the right shoulder.



Three or more rolls of extra films, the quantity

depending upon your length of stay at camp and the

possibilities for interesting subjects.



One fishing-rod and fishing-tackle outfit. Choose

the simple and useful rather than the fancy and

expensive. Select your outfit according to the

particular kind of fishing you will find near

camp. There is a certain different style of rod

and tackle for almost every variety of fish. If

fishing is not to be a prominent feature of the

camp, you might take line and hooks, and wait

until you reach camp to cut your fishing-pole.



One tin cup, with open handle to slide over belt.

The cup will serve you with cool sparkling water,

with cocoa, coffee, or tea as the case may be, and

it will also be your soup bowl. Keep the inside of

the cup bright and shiny. While aluminum is much

lighter than other metal, it is not advisable to

take to camp either cup, teaspoon, or fork of

aluminum because it is such a good conductor of

heat that those articles would be very apt to burn

your lips if used with hot foods.



One dinner knife, if you object to using your

pocket-knife.



One dinner fork, not silver.



One teaspoon, not silver.



One plate, may be of aluminum or tin, can be kept

bright by scouring with soap and earth.



Two warm wool double blankets, closely woven and

of good size. The U.S. Army blankets are of the

best. With safety-pins blankets can be turned into

sleeping-bags and hammocks.



One poncho, light in weight to wear over

shoulders, spread on ground rubber side down to

protect from dampness, can be used in various

ways.



One pillow-bag.



One mattress-bag.



One water-proof match-safe.



One belt hatchet in case, or belt sheath small

axe, for chopping wood and felling small trees,

but, be very careful when using either of these

tools. Before going to camp find some one who can

give you proper instructions in handling one or

both, and practise carefully following directions.

Be very _cautious_ and go slow until you become an

expert. Outdoor books and magazines should be

consulted for information, and if you do not feel

absolutely confident of your ability to use the

hatchet or axe after practising, _do not take them

with you_. For the sake of others as well as

yourself, you have not the right to take chances

of injuring either others or yourself through

inability to use safely any tool. Do not attempt

to use a regular-sized axe, it is very dangerous.

One guide told me that after a tenderfoot chopped

a cruel gash nearly through his foot when using

the guide's axe, that axe was never again loaned,

but kept in a safe place and not allowed to be

touched by any one except the owner.