Making a Suitable Bed
A raincoat with blanket spread over it will form a convenient mattress. Some campers, and the weight of tradition, recommend cedar boughs for a bed, but the art of arranging and sleeping on them has to be acquired. The only kind of boughs or browse that can be comfortably used as the basis for a bed must be fine in quality, otherwise the corners of the boughs will find the bones of the sleeper with infernal ingenuity and make his rest very unsatisfying. Some campers prefer to sleep in hammocks. In some cases where the body is of sufficient length these may be slung from end to end in the car. Otherwise they may be slung from the corners [[28]]of the car top to near-by trees. A canvas fly may be arranged overhead to keep off rain. It takes some experience to be able to rest easily in a hammock, but once the habit is acquired there is no more comfortable bed. The hammock is the bed of our sea jackies and marines, and they thrive on that kind of a couch.
In summertime a raincoat and a pair of blankets for each person, with hammocks, car beds, or tent, should care for the necessary sleeping equipment so far as covering goes.
The Medical Kit
A medical kit should always be carried. This should include a Red Cross first-aid outfit. In the absence of a physician it is well to have on hand cascara or castor oil, sun cholera tablets in case of diarrhœa which often develops from change of drinking water, Epsom salts to be taken to clear out ptomaine poisoning, and mustard for external application in case of cold. Iodex should be included to be used in the event of sprains.
Mention has already been made of the inclusion of children on week-end camping excursions. Yes, take them along—as many as the good Lord has given you. It is the undying spirit of youth in you that makes you want to pack your outfit and take to the open road. So why deprive the kids of their rightful heritage, the right to fill their lungs with clean country air and to stretch their strong little [[29]]legs where there is plenty of room for them to stretch?
They may get restless, but the week-ender will not be likely to travel far enough for them to need anything more to occupy their attention than the passing landscape until the destination is reached. Even take the baby and swing a little hammock for it at one side or across the car.
With children along a little more care should be taken as to what is provided as food and drink. It will be safer to have all water boiled and to have along a good supply of evaporated milk. Of course, where infants are included in the camping party arrangements must be made to supply the customary diet which they have been having.