Camping and woodcraft - Scoutmastercg.com

CHAPTER VTENTS FOR SHIFTING CAMPSTents were devised long before the dawn of history,and they still are used as portable dwellingsby men of all races and in all climes. Every yearsees countless campers busy with new contrivancesin canvas or other tent materials, seeking improvements— and still the prehistoric patterns hold theirown. Wherever caravans or armies march, or peopletravel by wagon, or summer vacationists take toa gipsy life, we see wall tents of house shape, orconical ones,of heavy canvas.But for a small party traveling in rough country,with pack animals, or in light water-craft, or perchanceafoot, such cumbersome affairs are out of thequestion.Wherever transportation is difficult it is imperalive that the tent should be light, compact to carry,and, if you are to make camp and break camp everyday or two, it must be so rigged that it can be setup easily and quickly by one or two men.The tent should shed heavy rains and stand securelyin a gale. It should keep out insects andcold draughts, yet let in plenty of pure air. If coldweather is to be encountered, either the tent shouldbe fitted with a very portable stove, or it should beopen in front and so shaped as to reflect the heat ofa log fire down upon the occupants, yet not smotherthem with smoke. All of which is easily said, butharder to combine In fact. Hence the multitude oftent patterns.In designing a light tent we begin by cuttirux68