Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard

Course Two: Nature 75
up for it, perhaps you can take family camping trips
to national parks. But staying in a cabin, trailer, or
RV doesn’t count as camping out! If you have any
friends who live on a farm or in the country, see if
they would like to hold a campout in their woods. But
even if none of these are a possibility for you, maybe
you can at least pitch a tent in your backyard this Summer,
and sleep out under the stars. Consider camping
to be a basic assignment of your Apprenticeship in
Wizardry!
Shelter and Bedding: First off, you will need to
get a tent, sleeping bag, and pad. I have camped out
in everything from large trash bags and “tube tents”
to big fancy multi-room tents. Of all these, my favorites
are simple dome tents with rain flys, which come
in various sizes, are lightweight and compact, and can
be set up by one person in a few minutes. You should
also have a large enough plastic tarp to spread under
your entire tent as a groundcloth, and another to cover
your woodpile in case of rain.
Next, a good sleeping bag is essential. You should
get a rectangular one that opens out completely into a
large comforter, rather than a “mummy bag” that just
opens halfway down one side. Personally, I hate those
nylon down bags, as I don’t like the feel of nylon
against my skin, and the down flattens out under your
body, so you get no insulation against the ground. I
prefer a cotton flannel lining and crushed foam insulation,
which is very lightweight, even if not so compact.
But check out several kinds and find one you
like. Don’t forget a pillow—if nothing else, you can
just take a zippered pillowcase and stuff it with clothes
or grass.…
Finally, you’re going to really need some comfortable
padding under you, as even the smallest
pebbles, roots, and twigs can make your sleep miserable!
The best pads I’ve seen roll up tight and compact,
but fluff up with air when they’re unrolled. But
if you’re not going to have to carry stuff very far, any
kind of foam pads can work. Air mattresses are popular,
but I find them to be heavy to carry, hard to inflate,
and they often deflate during the night and you
end up lying on the rocky ground anyway. In some
places, you can also make nice padding by gathering
pine bows and covering them with a thick layer of
grass.
Gear and Supplies: You will need a few basic
tools and equipment. Important gear should include a
knife and eating utensils (I still have my old Boy Scout
knife, with multiple tools, including a fork and
spoon)—although if you know how to use chopsticks,
you can easily make some on the spot. But you will at
least want a spoon, plate, bowl, and cup. You should
also have a covered pot and a frying pan. You can
pick up nifty little “mess kits” at any camping supply
store, that include all this stuff neatly nested together.
However, avoid aluminum cookware and utensils! Get
these of steel, even though it may be a bit more expensive.
Aluminum ions in food will damage your
neurons. A little grill to put over the cook fire can be
very useful, too. And don’t forget a lighter for the
fire!
Other essential camping stuff includes a basic first
aid kit (with antibiotic cream and bandages!), a flashlight
(especially one that also converts to a camping
light), toilet paper, a small folding camp shovel to dig
a latrine, a compass, binoculars, camera, good bug
spray, strong sun block, a notebook and pen, watch,
towel, metal mirror, zip-lock plastic baggies of various
sizes, a ball of heavy twine, nylon rope, and maybe
even fishing gear. Don’t forget personal hygiene stuff
like soap (for hands and dishes), hairbrush, toothbrush,
and toothpaste. And always bring along trash bags
for cleaning up. I make several check lists for different
seasons and types of camping, just so I don’t forget
anything essential.
And, of course, you will need to have enough
food and water. This could be simple granola, nuts,
and dried fruit, or more elaborate meal stuff if you
don’t mind packing it along. If you bring canned
goods, don’t forget a can opener! You should plan on
a gallon of water for each day. If you are going to be
hiking any distance to get to your campsite, you will
also need a backpack to carry everything in.
Clothing: What clothing you will need will, of
course, depend on climate, weather, and how long you
will be out. I always like to pack a compact rain poncho
and a fold-up wide-brim hat. Have good hiking
shoes, extra socks and underwear, light stuff for the
day, and warmer stuff for night. My Wizard’s cloak
(see 3.III: “Wizardly Regalia”) comes in handy for
keeping warm around the campfire, as well as being
a fine blanket when I sleep.
IMPORTANT: Never go hiking or camping
alone! Always go with a buddy. That way, if anything
should happen to either of you, there will
always be someone to help—or to go for help.
Lesson/Task 4: Pitching Camp
The ideal site has trees, water, grass-covered
ground, gently sloping terrain, protection from
severe weather, and a view. The possibility of
finding all of these in one campsite is quite remote,
but the more of them you can get in one
site, the better it will be. Avoid natural hazards
in picking any campsite.
(Boy Scout Fieldbook, 1978 edition, p. 50)