HINTS FOR CAMPERS

Taranaki Daily News, 28 November 1934, Page 11

HINTS FOR CAMPERS

ADJUSTMENT TO CAMP LIFE. FIRST NIGHT UNDER CANVAS. (No. 3. By “Spotlight.”) The .first night in camp is always the worst. Tire pitching of the tent, the lack of experience and the general, strangeness of the surroundings often cause the first night to be somewhat of a nightmare.’ for the novice. For these reasons the best advice one can offer the inex - perienced is “to camp early.” . On arrival at the site the .firs: procedure is to pitch the tent, clear the ground inside, and spread the ground sheet. Be very particular that the pegs are put in at the correct slant, leaning away from the tent. Cooking apparatus, personal kit, bedding and stores are then distributed, but nothing that can suffer from damp should be left on the grass, even, in the tent. Get the stove or fire going 'and prepare the first meal before dark. ' .. ' A willing co-operation and a definite allocation of duties are the secrets of a successful camping holiday. If there is an experienced camper among a party of novices the adjustment to camp life will be much quicker and easier. The most' important factor as far as the first night is concerned is to have a thorough knowledge of the handling of the tent. Trouble will be saved if all items. required on tha first night are kept together.- A car cover is worth while, but ’f the car is left in the open in heavy rain a few newspapers may be placed under the bonnet to protect the engine. When leaving a site see that the tent is packed last. If forced to move during rain the. tent should be lightly folded, and' then repitched or hung out to dry within a few hours, otherwise • spotting and deterioration will take place. The tent will be ruined : if this advice is disregarded. Tire packing up of a camp usually revsals a certain amount of rubbish; This must be collected and destroyed or. buried, and the whole site should be carefully gone over so that it may be left in a perfect condition. The motorist when intending to camp anywhere else but on a camp site should always secure the permission of the owner first, and in such cases take particular care to fulfil the wishes and stipulations of the owner. Failure to comply with the desires of some kindhearted property owner often penalises other campers. The recognised camping, spots are all equipped with adequate cooking facilities and fire places, and there is little danger of damage from fire. However, this is not the case on private property, and every care should be taken in selecting a suitable place to start a fire. When leaving a site make certain all fires are extinguished.

The best site for a tent or caravan ’3 a level and. elevated stretch of ground with short grass. It is desirable to have shelter and shade in the form of trees, hedges or a piece of bush. In exposed positions a V-shaped windscreen of cheap canvas, with three light supports, is often worth erecting in front of the tent. Cattle, horses and sheep should preferably be excluded from a site. A cow could ruin the finest outfit in a very few. minutes. A shallow trench cut round the edge of the tent will intercept surface water in wet weather. This precaution is not always necessary. If sloping ground cannot be avoided let the fall' be towards the door of the tent. Beware of pitching camp near ant-infest-ed land. '