Exploring the Traditional Camp

Exploring the Traditional Camp

A lot of interest has been going on surrounding the subject of traditional camping, using the gear and methods from the “Golden Era” of camping, (1880 to about 1930, give or take). Part of the fun is tracking down the gear and using it in the field. Some you can still buy new, but you can still find used quality stuff—lanterns, tents, and packs. The challenge is in the small details. It is always an on going search to find the most authentic gear no matter how mundane or how little it will be used.

Grounding oneself into the traditional life style will teach you basics that seem to be missing in today’s camp craft. I hate to even think of it as a “craft”, because it is not, period. True camp craft has a science behind it mixed with a healthy helping of art. Old style camping is wood craft and mastering that art form.

Where do you turn to learn about this old style of camping? One book that I know of which has only one focus about traditional camping is Dave Wescott ‘s fine book “Camping in the Old style”, due for a re-release with updated images and new cover in March 2015. Wescott brings you right into the picture, not only with photos but the information of how to and what to and how to find more information. We are looking at the campers and what and how things were used prior to modern technology. How many campers today know how to lay a proper fire lay, what fire lay to use, and how to start the fire? seems simple but I have seen people struggle to light a fire in good weather conditions.

There are other books one should have in the library that can add a wealth of knowledge to the new, old style campers treasure. Some are reprints some are hard to find, but a deep search will yield most of them. The man who is looked upon as the Dean of American Campers, Horace Kephart, mostly because of when his book was originally written and the personal research he did in camp craft studies. His book has been in print since 1907 and has never gone out of print. The newest version has better pictures and clearer text. “Camping and Woodcraft” is a must have for the traditional camper. A book that I don’t see listed, anywhere, is a book by Charles Stedman Hanks, “Camp Kits and Camp life”, originally published in 1906 it is a wonderful book if you can find it. I have seen this book for sale at 100 bucks. I found mine at a used book store for 10 bucks about ten years ago, but have never seen another one. Nessmuk, of course, cannot be over looked, nor”Camp and Trail” by Stewart Edward White, originally published in 1906, great book.

Some of the books listed in “Camping in the Old Style” are “The Outdoor Handy Book” by Daniel Carter Beard (1900) “The Book of Wood Craft” (1912) and “The Birch Bark Roll” (1927) by Ernest Thomas Seton, “Camp Craft ” (1915) and “Camping Out” (1918) by Warren H. Miller. “Jack-Knife Cookery” (1929) by James Austin Wilder. “Camping out and Woodcraft” (1933) by Frank H. Cheley and Philip D. Fagan. All belong in your library and are just the start of your traditional books. They cover cooking, hunting fishing and the gear. All are well done. The writing is knowledgeable and easy to understand, as are books by Bill Mason, W. Hamilton Gibson, Calvin Rustrum, Ellsworth Jaeger and others, like Kreps, and A.R. Harding. These are precious resources that bring an enlightenment to the woodcraft camp. More modern, but espousing the feel of traditional camping is Mors Kochanski. Added to the list is Col. Townsend Whelen and Bradford Angier. Both harken back to the 1930s and 40s. “The Art and Science of Taking to the Woods” by C.B. Colby and Bradford Angier is a good buy.

Just the act of looking at some of the old pictures makes one want to join them. They are so real and not “posed” like a commercial.

I have on my desk a candle lantern, The Stonebridge Folding candle lantern, all brass, a gift from John McCann some years ago. Add that to the kerosene lanterns for the camp and it completes my traditional lighting. A pack basket, waxed cotton packs along with a Whelen Lean to and the 1920s folding wood camp chairs and the mood is being set. No nylon or hissing lanterns in my camp. My dutch ovens will do for now. Other gear is a buffalo blanket that was used as a sled blanket in the old days. and other odds and ends that I have picked up. In keeping with tradition, you can buy traditional style Nessmuk pattern knives as well as the Kephart pattern. If you have been to a Dirttime event you have seen some of my setup. At times it is mix and not matched. Clothing even comes into play, I find the wool shirts to be excellent , sometimes a cotton shirt works as well. I have some well used Filson clothes that wear like iron. Top it off with a fine Fedora and you are ready. The traditional camp life is waiting for you to have some fun and learn the real art of campcraft. The books mentioned will add to your lust. You cant help but to be sucked in.

Our friend David Wescott hosts an event called Woodsmoke (look it up) where you can learn a lot of the traditional ways and meet some of the masters. At Dirttime events, we always teach some of the traditional skills and you will see some great setups of traditional camps as well. Be sure to give me a tip of the hat at camp sit down and have a cup.