Kitchen Furnishings
The kitchen will have to have a good stove large enough to hold two or three large boilers at one time. If there is plumbing and a hot water boiler, either the stove can be furnished with a hot water back, which is not desirable, for the fire need not be kept all day when wood is used, but hot water is needed at all times, or a Standard Oil kerosene heater can be installed. Without plumbing, a stove with a hot water tank is desirable. If this is impossible a large boiler must be kept filled with water on the top of the stove.
An army range, set on a concrete base, gives the greatest satisfaction in a large camp. The ovens are large, an important point, and the top of the stove large enough to care for all necessary pots and kettles. When buying a stove for camp use make sure that it is made for the kind of fuel which will be used in it.
The kitchen sink should be conveniently placed and large enough to hold a large dish pan. Again if there is no plumbing a long table for dish pans, draining pans, etc., should be provided.
Other tables, benches, shelves and a wood box are necessary.
Tables and benches are necessary in every camp. The more simple they are the better. Tables made of pine boards, and tops covered with white oil cloth are very serviceable, or better, tables with planed tops can be used. Table tops and rests are feasible also. Benches can be made in various ways but should be firm and of the right height. Chairs are not really a camp necessity and on the whole could well be left out of the list of camp furniture.
Lanterns
Every camp, large or small, needs lanterns. Lamps are not advised as a general rule. There should be enough to have sufficient light in the mess hall, in the kitchen, at least one in the wash house, one at each latrine, and for stormy and very dark nights one for every two tents, or group of tents. The tent lanterns can be hung on the tent posts outside of the tents which method will prevent mosquitoes from being attracted inside. Latrine lights should burn all night and it is advisable to leave one burning by the mess hall in case of emergency.
Never allow children to bring candles into camp. Flash lights are a convenience and harmless.
[Ill.u.s.tration: LAND DRILL]
A lantern which is not clean and shining and ready for use is a disgrace to any camp. Every morning chimneys should be washed and wiped, lanterns filled, wiped clean, wicks wiped off with a piece of newspaper and turned down. They do not need to be trimmed every day. Have a place for the lanterns to hang or stand during the day. The lamp cloths should be washed, dried in the sun and hung where they will not be caught up and used for other purposes.
Double Boiler
A very good double boiler can be made by using a large outer boiler in the bottom of which is placed a pot rest and a small amount of water.
Stand on the rest either one kettle well covered, or if necessary, two kettles, one on top of the other, both tightly covered and the outer boiler tightly covered. This arrangement forms a kind of fire-less cooker which is exceedingly satisfactory, especially for cooking cereals.
Trash Boxes
Each tent or group of tents should have a conveniently placed trash box.
These can be made of wooden frames covered with screening, can be small half-barrels or kegs, painted, or small portable incinerators. These boxes should be emptied every twenty-four hours and the contents burned.
Weighing Scales
Another piece of furniture is a pair of personal scales, for the weight of each child entering and leaving camp is of interest and value. Do not use form with springs.
Games
The game equipment must not be forgotten. Basket b.a.l.l.s, volley b.a.l.l.s, water polo b.a.l.l.s, baseb.a.l.l.s and bats, quoits, bows and arrows, and tennis sets are all valuable.
Linen
If in the general equipment pillows are provided it is well to have a few pillow cases other than those which the child brings to camp. There should be sheets and pillow cases for use in the bed making test. Three sets of dish towels and a set of dish cloths, holders, stove cloths and kitchen hand towels. Cheese cloth is of great value in camp in the kitchen and out of it.
[Ill.u.s.tration: THE DIVING LESSON]
Newspapers
Do not throw away any clean whole newspapers; they are of too great value. Wet shoes stuffed with pieces of newspaper and stood not too near a fire, will dry in good shape and be soft. The newspapers help to absorb the moisture out of the leather and keep the shoes in shape.
Newspapers can be used to sit upon if benches or ground are damp.
Nothing is better for cleaning the top of a stove after each meal, than a newspaper crunched into a wad.
Folded pieces of newspaper make an excellent holder for lifting pots and kettles. Several thicknesses placed on the end of the kitchen table on which to set pots and cans, will keep the table clean. Hot water pipes or a boiler can be covered with several thicknesses of newspapers held in place by twine, thereby conserving heat. Cover the ice cream freezer with newspapers after the dasher is removed and while the cream is getting stiff. They help to keep in the cold. Newspapers laid on a cot under the blankets help very materially to keep one warm on a cold night. After sweeping a floor put the dust and dirt from a dust pan in a newspaper, roll it carefully and burn in the incinerator. The wind cannot then blow the dirt about.
Flowers
When picking flowers do not pull the plants up by the root. Do not pick a blossom with too many buds on the stem. Do not pick what you are not going to use either as a decoration or to press for nature study work.
Do not pick short stems, and do not crowd too many flowers into one vase. Be sure that the vase is clean and the water fresh. All dead flowers and leaves should be burned and not thrown out to disfigure the looks of the camp grounds.
[Ill.u.s.tration: THE TRUE INWARDNESS OF ROWING]
If you do not know poison ivy when you see it get someone to point it out to you and then keep away from it. It is more apt to poison when the leaves are wet.
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
_Clothes_: Scout uniform and Scout hat Bloomers: dark wool or khaki Middy blouses, at least 3; plain, strong, white Coat Rubber coat or poncho Sweater Shoes (stout, low heels, round toes; two pairs if possible) Rubbers Underwear: Plain and strong. The one-piece athletic garment made for women and girls is preferable to separate chemise or drawers.
Woven shirt or union suit of cotton or light wool is desirable. No petticoats.
Stockings: at least four pairs, heavy ribbed cotton or wool preferred. No silk.
Nightgown or pajamas, three, heavy cotton or canton flannel.
Bath wrapper and slippers
Bathing suit and cap
_Bedding_: Plain woolen blankets, light-weight, for use next body Pillow cases, (three)
_Toilet Accessories_: Bath and face towels, two each Face cloths, two Comb and brush Tooth brush in holder Soap and tooth paste Soap box Small cup Scissors Nail file or cleaner Sanitary napkins and belt
_Desirable General Accessories_: Musical Instruments Flashlight Note book or pad and pencils Sewing kit
THE CANTEEN
There have been objections made to the camp canteen or store, but there seem to be no very good reasons against it. By buying large quant.i.ties and at wholesale and selling at the market price in small quant.i.ties there can be a perfectly legitimate profit on a camp canteen. This helps to pay camp expenses. It is also possible to make an arrangement with local stores to supply merchandise, fruit and candy to be sold at the store price, and receive from the store a ten per cent discount which is clear profit to the camp. A greater profit, however, can be obtained if the camp purchases these things for itself from wholesale dealers.
The price of board in the average Scout camp is so low that it is impossible to supply campers with many of the things which they want and which they may have. Fresh fruit in some localities is very expensive and quite beyond the possibility of serving. But most parents make no objection to their children purchasing the fruit, one or two pieces at a time, at the canteen counter. The same is true of simple candy such as sweet chocolate, Hershey Bars, Neccos, etc. One piece a day is not only perfectly harmless; it is, in fact, beneficial.