Milford chronicle., 1936-06-19
WHAT SHALL MY BOY TAKE
CAMPING!
Loie E. Brandon

LOle II. Brandon
Summer once was considered the
only season for camping out, and OF
course it is still the favOrite time
Of year, but now the fall and spring
hikes with an overnight camp at the
end are running the enthusiasm for
summer camps a close second. Win
ter is also becoming very popular as
a camping time, especially if there
is a permanent camp close at hand
with cottages, or Adirondack shell
ters and fireplaces to provide some
heat and protection.
Last year my son attended a sum-
mer camp, a five-day camp during
the Christmas holidays, and spent
ten nights or more during the spring
and fall in this most health form of
recreation.
Since the different boys Organiza-
tions and clubs are laying so much
stress upon this kind of outdoor
sport, it behOoves the mothers of
growing boys to keep step with the
times and at least know enough
about this form of activity to be
able to provide the proper equip
ment for either a one-night, or a ten
nights camp
Quite often, especially with the
older boys. a camping party is ar
ranged on the spur of the moment.
This does not allow much time for
thought or study on the part of the !
mother who is sure to be called /
upon. either to help locate equip |
ment, supply provisions, or provide /
proper bedding and clothing for the |
occasion.
From personal experience I have \
found it wise to set aside a special |
closet in the attic in which to keep
camping necessities. AS I have two F.
boys this closet must hold two fold /
ing camp cots, two pup tents and |
one larger shelter tent, a folding
camp stove, two mess kits (cOm-
plete for cooking purposes as well as
eating purpOses), two canteens, two
duffle bags Zone large and one small
err, four army blankets, and two old
but heavy cOmfOrters to be added
for winter camping. Besides this
there are two old sliclzers which are y
used to spread on the ground to
keep the moisture from cOwing up
into the bed-rOlls on the occasions
when the campers roll up in their
blankets and sleep on the ground,
some coils of small rope, and a ball
1f heavy fish cord, two scout axes,
| Red Cross emergency kit, two
a small waterproof box
or carrying matches and a compass.
OF course for each occasion the
contents of the duffle bags will de-
Dend almost altogether upon how
Ong the camp is going to last and
he personal tastes of the campers
n the manner of "eats." The follow
ng suggestions are simply offered
or the benefit of the inexperienced
mother who is called upon sudden
y to solve the problem of providing
ortable food for hungry mixers;
pancake -four, canned
silk, bacon, syrup, and cocoa or
Office, canned baked beans, canned
lmatOes, potatoes, sugar, salt,
cookies and fresh fruits.
The camper should have also in
is duffle bag, one complete change
l uAy ClutuAuSg Oil CANAd pair VI
Ose. a cake of soap. bath towel,
10th brush and dentrifrice, comb,
ztra handkerchiefs and an extra
air of shoes if much walking is to
: done. A notebook and pencil,
cid glasses, kodak and extra films,
nd a good hunting knife comes in
Try handy on most occasions. Fish
g tackle will be wanted when
Imping beside a stream or lake.
Proper equipment goes a long way
ward making a camping adventure
success. and while it may be a
elcOme change to trough it" for a
ort time. the most pleasant mem
les linger about the camping ex-
riences in which some degree Of
mfort was enjoyed.