1. Making your Own Camping Gear
University of Scouting
3/2008
PM Ziolkowski

2. Making your own

3. Course Outline Introductions (Who am I, Who are you)
Why make your own?
Form of the class
What are some projects
Troop gear
Patrol gear
Backpacking gear
Resources
Web sites
Books
Sources for materials

4. Introductions Pete Ziolkowski Not exactly a “crafty” person
Scoutmaster Troop 284 Endwell
2X Den leader
Philmont 2004 and hopefully 2008
Not exactly a “crafty” person

5. Why make your own? Lots of reasons not to Primal urge Sticker shock
Huge number of suppliers of camping equipment
Primal urge
Who hasn’t?
Boy Scout field book circa 1972
Challenge
Sticker shock
Home made does not necessarily mean cheaper
Lighter
Tailor to your own needs and physical dimensions
Fun

6. Form of the class Would like to be free flowing
Collect ideas for projects that worked and others that didn’t.
Talk about the plusses and minuses of different projects
Talk about field tests
Talk about techniques and methods
Lessons learned

7. Troop gear projects Patrol boxes flag stands chefs kits tent bags
Hot water heaters (has anyone ever seen one?)
Cooking

8. Boy type projects Projects that can be made as part of a meeting
Pop can stoves
LED flash lights

9. Backpacking type adult equipment
Alcohol stove, wind screen and fuel bottle
Tents
Tarps
Sleeping bags (Down and synthetic)
Wash basins
LED Head lamps

10. Resources Make Your Own Gear, Recommended Reading Building Snowshoes
Adventure With Polarfleece : A Sewing Expedition
More Polarfleece Adventures : The Journey Continues
Sew the New Fleece : Techniques With Synthetic Fleece and Pile
Polar Magic : New Adventures With Fleece
Sewing Outdoor Gear : Easy Techniques for Outerwear That Works
Sew and Repair Your Outdoor Gear
The Essential Outdoor Gear Manual: Equipment Care, Repair, and Selection
Made for the Outdoors : Over 40 Do-It-Yourself Projects for the Great Outdoors
The Ashley Book of Knots
The Complete Book of Sewing
Fabric Savvy : The Essential Guide for Every Sewer
BSA Filed book
Roughing it easy

11. Resources- Web Sites http://www.backpacking.net/makegear.html
(SGT. Rock)

12. Materials http://www.therainshed.com
Outdoor wilderness fabrics
Switches other electrical parts- radio shack
WEB sites usually steer you toward materials and sources as well.