Camp Craft Sleeping in the Outdoors

Tents A tent is a portable shelter usually of canvas or other cloth stretched over poles or supports and fastened to the ground with pegs and ropes. That definition covers a wide variety of structures in many sizes, shapes and styles.

Ridge Tent This tent is any tent which has a horizontal pole going across the top. The upright poles that support it may be a single upright pole, or two sloping poles (also known as an 'A' frame).

Bell Tent This has a single upright pole in the centre of the tent, and is then guyed out from it. There are very few lightweight bell tents available; most are made from the same heavy canvas

Dome Tent Design has only been possible with the introduction of strong flexible materials With no corners, sharp edges or flat surfaces, these dome- shaped designs are better at shedding water and standing up in high winds Made of lightweight materials rather than a heavy grade canvas

Framed Tent Comprised of a basic frame which is built first and then covered with the canvas They are fairly bulky when packed away, but when erected take on the appearance of a small chalet

Other Tents Modified Dome Tents Same as the dome tent with a few variations: addition of more poles plus cross-section rods, as well as tapered ends. Advantages: better able to withstand harsh weather and mounting wind levels.

Tunnel Tents Tapers towards the rear This tent type incorporates a single or dual pole design with the longer pole upfront. Advantages: Very lightweight. Disadvantages: Design type tends towards being cramped

Polar Pyramid Tent Based on early twentieth century design Collapsible in two sections for easy deployment, the tent is quick and easy to assemble and is the most frequently used in arctic conditions.

Polar Pyramid Tent It relies on its pyramid shape for stability and on the load of snow packed around the edges Each polar pyramid weighs about 30 kg.

Marquee & Swags

Questions What types of tents have you been in? What were they used for?

Sleeping Bags Two main types of sleeping bags used in the outdoors Down Sleeping Bag & Synthetic Sleeping Bag

Down Sleeping Bags Down sleeping bags are the most expensive, but they pack down the smallest and lightest for carrying. Their content is made from the tiny down feathers from sea birds. The one bad thing about a down sleeping bag is that it won't keep you warm if it gets wet.

Synthetic Sleeping Bags Synthetic sleeping bags are bulkier and heavier than down bags, but they will still keep you warm even if wet. They are cheaper to buy than down bags, and they come in several different types of filling. All of this filling is designed to trap pockets of air around your body as you sleep. (Siliconised Dacron, Dacron, Quallofill...)

Sleeping Bag Shapes Rectangle or Mummy Shaped Mummy bags conform to your body and have an insulated hood. Therefore are warmer.

Rectangle Sleeping Bags Rectangle Bags have an L-shaped zipper A 6 x 3 foot bag unzips into a 6 x 6 foot quilt you can use on the bed at home or in a camper. You can usually zip two rectangular bags together to make a double sleeping bag, which can come in handy in a rescue or survival situation.

Lets Get Into Them !!!