Eccles RFC Campcraft Training

Campcraft Condition # 5 All participants must be properly equipped. Condition # 14 Accommodation should be by camping.

DofE Campcraft Classroom Training Choosing suitable clothing, footwear and emergency equipment and knowing how to use it. Choosing and caring for camping gear. Packing a rucksack. waterproofing the contents, always keeping the weight down to a minimum and about a quarter of the body weight when walking. A rucksack safe lifting technique. Choosing a campsite, arrangements for water, cooking and sanitation, refuse disposal, fire precautions.. Safety procedures and precautions which must be observed when using stoves and handling fuels. Understanding the spirit and content of the Countryside Code. The avoidance of noise and disturbance to rural communities. Practice Expedition Training Pitching and striking tents. Cooking and the use of stoves Following stove safety instructions.

Personal Kit Choosing suitable clothing, footwear and emergency equipment and knowing how to use it. What you should be wearing – Money a small amount for emergencies – you cannot buy anything on your expedition NotebookPlus pencil Watch WhistleFor emergencies only TrousersShould be windproof and warm. Not jeans or joggers! UnderwearTee shirt, pants ShirtLong sleeved Fleece TopA woollen sweater will do, but a fibre pile is more windproof Hat/glovesA sun hat in summer/warm hat other times. Can be cold on tops Gaiters(Optional) SocksNormally a thin pair of inner socks and thick outer socks BootsMust be comfortable, waterproof and give good ankle support. Must have good soles with plenty of tread

Outdoor Clothing: The Layering System There is no such thing as inappropriate weather, only inappropriate clothing. Base Layer – Next to the body. Mid Layer – Insulation for the body. Outer Layer – Protects from the elements. Accessories – Hat, gloves and scarf.

Base Layer Worn next to the skin. Wicks moisture (sweat!) away from body to keep your skin dry so you don’t chill. Often body hugging in order to wick away sweat efficiently and have flat-sewn seams to avoid chaffing.

Mid Layer Provides insulation to keep body warm. Mid layer materials: fleece, woolly jumpers, duck down, synthetic fibre-pile. Insulation can be affected by wind cutting through garment, or moisture being absorbed into garment.

Outer Layer To protect from wind and rain. Needs to be waterproof fabric with taped seams so that sewing holes are watertight! Ideally the fabric would be breathable to allow perspiration to escape: GoreTex, Triple Point, eVENT, Helly Tech, IsoTex.

Footwear Boots: Consider support, grip, comfort, protection and weight. Socks: Thin synthetic socks next to skin with thicker socks will provide warmth and will also prevent blisters! Gaiters: Help keep feet dry when it’s raining or you’re walking on wet ground. Wear waterproof trousers over gaiters.

Personal Kit What you should be carrying - RucksackWith a liner bag inside for spare clothing First Aid kitPersonal first aid kit Sun cream etc.Sun cream if hot, insect repellent if midges are about! Emergency RationsE.g. 2 mars bars Drink bottleAt least 0.75litre. More if hot or a strenuous day is planned WaterproofsJacket and overtrousers Spare clothes Socks (inner/outer), trousers (tracksuit bottom), shorts, Tee shirts, light sweater, pants Sleeping bag In a separate waterproof polybag. A cotton inner keeps the bag clean & warmer Foam matE.g. Karrimat Toilet bag Toilet paper (in plastic bag), toothbrush/paste, small soap bar, J cloth, small face towel TorchPlus spare battery/bulb Cutlery, plate, dish, mug Mark outside of mug into Litres or Fluid Ozs to help with measuring amounts for cooking Breakfast/Lunch/ Evening meals Beware of keeping food too long in warm weather. Re-distribute shared equipment once these have been eaten Brew kitTea bags, sugar,coffee/choc. drink sachets. Dried milk powder Lighter/Matches

Sleeping Bags After a days walk, one thing you look forward to is a good night’s sleep. A comfortable night's sleep is essential to optimise your level of performance and enjoyment during the day. Your sleeping bag is to keep you warm when your body is at rest. Let a leader know if your sleeping bag is wet. To help you get a good nights sleep, try and get as much distance between you and the ground to keep you warm and comfortable.

Group Kit What you should be sharing - For a full list of the kit your need to take check out the Expedition Kit List available on the eDofE resources page. CompassIdeally, everyone should have a compass Map & Map caseShared TentShared Stove & PansShared Washing up kitJ cloth, scouring pad, washing up liquid, small tea towel Fuel bottle(s)Keep away from food Repair kit Needle/thread, cord, rubber bands, safety pins, plus poly bags for wet clothes. Swiss Army Knife (has a tin opener!) Extras!Camera, Note pad, Frisbee, pack of cards, rugby ball etc.

Rucksack Sizes Up to 25L - Day sack for general walking 35 to 55L - Weekend walking/Hostelling /Leaders Pack 55 to 65L - Multi-Day/Backpacking Recommend no more than 65 Litre (55 for small people)for D of E Expedition. A young person must not carry more than ¼ of their body weight.

Fitting a Rucksack Step One: Get hip belt in the right place. Step Two: Tighten the shoulder straps. Step Three: Adjustable back system. Step Four: Tension the load adjusters. Step Five: Adjust the chest strap.

Your Rucksack Packing a Rucksack Always pack your rucksack in reverse order First In - Last Out Weight should be even on each side Pack Tightly – as few gaps as possible Avoid fixing anything to the outside, except sleeping mat and walking poles You must be able to reach the following immediately in case of an emergency: First Aid Kit, Waterproofs, Survival Bag, Whistle, Torch, Compass, Map, Water Bottle.

Campsites Selecting a Campsite Campsites need to contain a few basic elements: flat ground, a source of water and an area for waste. Luxury campsites have showers, toilets and washing up facilities!.

Campsites Selecting a Pitch Avoid frosty hollows Don’t camp under trees Point the tent into the wind, that way your streamlined Use any natural shelter from the wind Check for animal accessibility to campsite!

Campsites Camp Rules TAKE NOTHING BUT PHOTOS, LEAVE NOTHING BUT FOOTPRINTS No cooking inside tents Pitch tents 6 metres apart To use guy lines or not? Always check for local hazards - Rivers, crags, farm equipment etc. Create ‘out-of-bounds’ areas if necessary All rubbish should be carried away from the campsite. Create a ‘bin’ for the site Give each tent a bin bag for rubbish Waste water should be tipped into designated areas away from any open water, especially anything containing soap suds

Cooking Equipment Using a Gas Burner Trangia Safe and stable due to wide base Compact and self contained Indestructible Simple to assemble Heats quickly Slightly bulky

Cooking Safety Stove safety instructions Location Level surface at ground level 2 metres away from flammable items/tents. Consider the weather Warn other people that stoves are lit/hot General safety Always be careful to check if there is a flame or not, especially in bright sunlight. Never leave a lit stove unattended or unwatched. Gas stoves Never use a gas stove that does not use self-sealing cylinders or cartridges. Remove cartridges from the stove for journeying.

The Countryside Code Respect. Protect. Enjoy Respect other people: consider the local community and other people enjoying the outdoors leave gates and property as you find them and follow paths unless wider access is available Protect the natural environment: leave no trace of your visit and take your litter home keep dogs under effective control Enjoy the outdoors: plan ahead and be prepared follow advice and local signs DofE Participants should be familiar with The Countryside Code which can be viewed in full at code

Have Fun!