The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-06-13
FOR THE SUMMER CAMP.

doesn't require very large piece OF
ground on which to pitch tent, you
know, and If you haven't back yard,
there Is probably vacant lot nearby
in which you can pitch it. Lots OF
boys seem to think that it isn't any
fun to camp out near the home, but
that is mistaken idea. Such trip
should be just as carefully planned
as one to the woods, with all of the
necessary provisions provided that
will be required for week, 10 days,
or whatever length of time you plan
to stay; then you can feel just as de-
pendent upon yourself for existence
as though you were many miles from
civilization. At the same time, II any
thing unexpected turns up, you will
have the advantage of having as
sistance near at hand A home camp
is splendid place for the tenderfoot
to learn cooking, and will In many
ways prepare him for later expert
ences.
The suggestions shown in the Illus
trations should be found helpful in
either the home camp, or camp In
the woods or at the lake.
A wall tent is probably the most
commonly used form of tent, and one
of these feet by 10 feet in size can
be purchased in most localities for
about So; but when a boys spending
money is limited this is a good deal
for him to pay out for single piece
of equipment Fig. ! shows a make
shift for a small wall tent that will
serve as a good shelter. Canvas or
burlap can be used for the cloth ma
terial; or, If you are going to camp
In the back yard, where you can take
chances on the weather, old sheeting
can be used. You might not think
that burlap would shed the water, on
account of it being so loosely woven
but it will andthas been used to great
satisfaction. If you can get some
potato sacks, they can be used in
pinch. Split them open, and sew them
together in as large a piece as is re-
quired for the covering.
Fig. 2 shows how four stakes are
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corners of the space marked out for
the tent, and two poles nailed across
the tops, to support the walls. Then
strip of canvas or burlap is tackled
to the two sides and one end of this
framework, as shown in Fig. 3.
The upper portion of the tent may
be supported at the ridge either on
ridge-pole, or on rope stretched
between two trees. (Of course
clothes-posts may be used for the YER
tical supports, If you pitch your tent
in the back Yard. Tack tho lower
side edges Of the covering to the side
poles of the wall framework. The
back end of the tent may be en-
closed with one piece of cloth, sewed
to the upper covering and the lower
wall strip, while the front SHOULD be
made in two pieces and be parted in
the middle The wall framework
should be braced at the corners with
ropes fastened to the framework and
to stakes driven into the ground, as
shown in Fig. /.
Fig. shows simple lean-to tent,
with a front flag that may be raised
t6 q horizontal position as g sun
shield in the day time. The illustra-
ton shows how a fire can be built
In front of the open front in chilly
weather, with a fire screen Of green
logs behind it to reflect heat into
the tent. The tent may be made in
three pieces-one piece to form the
front and pitched roof, and two tri-
angular end pieces. The three may
be sewed together, or eyelets and
tapes, or tapes alone, may be pro-
vided for connecting the pieces.
Tapes must also be provided along
the front and rear edge, along the
center of the large piece, and on the
bottom edge of the end pieces, for
fastening the tent to stakes, to the
ridge-pole, and to the horizontal pole
on the front flap. The illustration
shows how one end of the ridge-pole
may be fastened to a tree, apd the
other in the crotch on the end of
pole driven into the ground OF
course, if you can find two trees
close enough together, the ridge-pole
can be fastened across them. Tie a
rope to each end of the pole to which
the edge of the front is fastened, and
extend these over to a tree trunk; c.
else use couple of poles having
crotches on one end to prop up the
flap. If you pitch your tent in the
back yard you can use clothes-poles
for your tent-poles and props.
After pitching your tent, be sure to
dig a trench several inches deep on
all four sides, with an opening on the
side where the ground is lowest, for
a drain Gig. y. This trench will
catch all surface rain water before it
floods into your tent. Do not put of
this trenching, for, if you are caught
.uprepared you surely will regret it..
Maybe you have small cot in the
house which you can use in your
] tent: but If you are going some dis
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